Random Babbling and Venting...

OK, I'm upset, yes, there I said it. I can't find my very expensive camera anywhere. I think I may have left it at my sons football game, and someone stole it. I have checked everywhere. If there's a where, I have checked there. I have, now in total, caught 8 mice since we have lived here. The salamander was cute so he doesn't count as a rodent. That's fine, I could move past that if....if it weren't for the fact that this football season someone stole (someone from the visitor's team) Lance Albern's very expensive, very irreplaceable, very nice, very Nike, football cleats. Which in turn we purchased 29.99 dollar cleats as replacements. I still need to paint the rest of my room, the upstairs hallway, replace outlets...My dear husband and I are coming up with countless ways to save money. I don't drive, virtually a shut-in. Which, I am OK with 'cause we are paying on 11 acres every month that I can play on, or burn down, whichever I feel like at the moment. Which reminds me we have to cut firewood this weekend. So, we will be burning some of the trees. Yep. I think I'll move to Australia... I'm feeling overwhelmed with the Holidays comin', with basketball comin'- shoes, fees, uniforms, driving...I need to put on a sad movie and cry, but that gives me a headache. I need to go for a walk, but that sounds painful... I need to take pictures of the beautiful fall leaves that are ALMOST OFF THE TREES, oh wait, I can't, but someone else probably is, with my camera....I think I'll move to Australia. Oh, wait, doesn't Australia have socialized medicine? So, my husband wouldn't make a dime.....great! I could go on, but I have so much positive that it makes the bad look small. In reality overlooking all this, I am so dearly blessed with a great husband that tells me I am beautiful everyday, and his nickname for me is "gorgeous." My kids are doing wonderful. My daughter and son are the best teenagers alive. They tell me everything in their lives. My daughter told her friends the other day that she can't wait till Fridays because then she can hang out with her family! Hunter is de-stinkering as we speak. He is doing great at school and is coming into his own. Trapper is adorable and anal retentive, which for a 7 year old is quite adorable. He cracks me up every day. He could run this house better than me. Fisher asks questions everyday to "get ready for school" he's got to "get smart." His material is amazing!Last week he asked me if worms change into butterflies. I laughed my head off, and it gets better than that. Rider was giggling on my bed the other night yelling out "I'm gonna kill ya, mom!" as I was tickling him. Makes a mom proud. If you made it to the bottom of this post I commend you!

Summer Adventures...

Shylee juggling the kids floating down a lazy river in Yellowstone. It was feed by a geyser of warm water. It was mid calf. It was perfect!

Yo Ho Yo Ho-Oh the fun we have

My handsome fisherman montana

We went to Martin's Cove (my nephew is named after) we pulled the handcart for about 5-6 miles. Pioneer children sang as they walked? We tried! My older two had an amazing spriritual experience. I could never thank the pioneers enough.

We made Lance Albern some short and stubby legs outta sand! Isn't he handsome?! (Montana)

Our little swimmer. He would just go out into the lake and dip his head in to see what he could see! He walked around like this forever! (Montana)

Dough Boys...

Here I am baking bread. I love to. Then I thought that I had better check my bank account balance, and why not some blogs, etc. The morning ritual. Then Fisher tells me that Rider is getting into the flour. I told him to get out of the flour. Rider sweetly complies and says the dearest little "OK," as sweetly as a conniving two year old could. Then Fisher yells out "HE IS BUILDING A HOUSE FROM THE FLOUR!" I thought, two story? How? It would have to be a ranch style... Low and behold you don't have to have sand or a sandbox for some go o'l playing in the sand, or flour, time! The funniest part of the flour moment was Fisher running back in to see what Rider created with his flour and Fisher yelling out "He built Texas!!" Flour isn't just for making bread...apparently. I guess I was just uninformed of the possibilities...

Homecoming Week!

Last week was Homecoming week. It's all about fun with the parade, dance, high school football game, team spirit,and bon-fire. Shylee went to the dance with her friend, Mackenzie. Just as girls, no dates! She had a blast. Besides having a run-in with the principal (that was me! but he did end up apologizing for it-I caught him at a bad time) everyone had a lot of fun. My kids took hold, by cheering for their team and wearing their colors proudly! Even Rider was excited to be a Wildcat! It was impossible to find Shylee a modest dress. Since it wasn't her "Official" homecoming with a date etc., I figured she didn't need the gown. So, the dress was semi-formal enough, but not quite as formal as the others. She was happy and looked awesome!!! We are going to do some major planning for homecoming and prom to come, to find the perfect and modest gown!!!! Here are some pics of the kids before the game, and Shylee before the dance.

What Are You Sinking About?

Rider loves to take baths in the sink! Loves! Everyday I have to decide whether I feel up to it, because he is going to ask, and man alive, he's cute! Just one of those endearing moments in the day. PS The red on his skin is marker! Another endearing moment:)

Foggy days and Bedrooms

There are a lot of foggy days here. Along with the frogs, toads, mushrooms, chipmunks, squirrels and neighborly hawk, I love them! Fog here is common, but I don't think it will ever grow old, it's beautiful. Almost every morning that I take the kids out to the bus stop (the end of our driveway:)there is an ethereal fog to behold. Here are some other pics of the house that I didn't post last time. The livingroom and Hunter's bedroom. Do you like the color I chose for the livingroom? Hunter chose his. I absolutely love his. I chose the curtains! Thanks for lookin'!

The Homestead

I wanted to show you some re-vamping that has taken place here at the Homestead! We have painted, (almost finished!) changed fixtures, put in appliances (we thought that wasn't optional:). We have worked our tail-ends off (I wish!). Here is the downstairs bathroom (1/2 bath) which underwent a complete overhaul. It has had wallpaper removed, new paint, new fixtures, some beadboard, and has had the scum cleaned off of everything !!!!Besides the light fixture I did the rest by myself! It gives me a sense of pride to know that I have some handy-man skills! We have put appliances in the kitchen. Did an inexpensive update with new knobs, and added a nice fresh coat of paint! It needs some new light fixtures put in. That will happen some day! I tore down wallpaper from 90 percent of the house! That was quite the under-taking, especially with 6 kids running around making messes of their own! I will get some more pics when we shape the place up further! It has been a labor of love. I do enjoy the house. Oh, don't miss my view out my kitchen window! That makes a small kitchen worth it!