Spring Time in Montana

I wanted to document one of the things I love about Montana. The Winter's are quite hard here and seem to last so long! So, when the Winter finally surrenders to Spring, it is so welcome and beautiful and appreciated. What I have grown to look forward to the most are the blossoms on our lilac bushes. The fragrance is absolutely intoxicating, I wish it lasted for more than two weeks. So, tonight I allowed the boys to pick some and Jay started throwing them at my feet so I could pretend I was a princess. I said to Jay "thank you honey." He said "thank you for calling me that, mommy." (insert melted heart here) A moment later Charlie wanted to put some flowers in my hat. I told Charlie "thank you honey," he said, "DON'T CALL ME THAT!" (insert reality check)
My Tulips finally came up! Three to be exact! I put down bonemeal and all! I really don't know why they are decreasing in number every year? I thought they were suppose to increase each year? I don't know what these are called but they are doing quite well in our rock filled flower beds.
Riley took these pics of our dandelions that are a plenty in our fields. I think she made them look almost pretty!
We have two Crabapple trees in our backyard and they are blooming now and are so pretty!
This is a picture of our wild Asparagus that we LOVE SO MUCH! It only grows for about four weeks out of the year and it puts "Stuff-marts" Asparagus to shame!! All the kids love it! Jay and Charlie eat it raw! I like it cooked in butter or EVOO or if I'm feeling naughty Bacon juice with a little garlic salt. There is not much better on a plate!
These are our honeysuckle bushes that are growing wild. Love them and they smell so wonderful!

"Our Bedtime Song"

Hallie at four and Bailee at three
I don't feel like blogging has the same purpose for me as it once did. I have decided to make it more of a family journal/scrapbook and have it printed out for our kids. Also, for me so I don't confuse details and children in my old age. I'll still keep it public for those of you who care. But, besides current events I want to journal some of our old stories that are worth writing down. The first one that came to my mind was our family bedtime song...

One of the million reasons I love my babies daddy so much is... when we lived in North Carolina and the girls were little he made up this bedtime song:

Brush your teeth and potty
Make them squeaky clean
Evacuate your system
So you can sweetly dream

Now that we are potty-training Charlie, I'm sure we will start singing it again!

Another year

Hallie and Bailee had their music recital and guess what Mrs. Larson chose for them to play as a duet? If you guessed "Ode to Joy" you are correct! I just smiled and said that is one of our family favorites.

Hallie also played "Fur Elise" by Bach. Mrs. Larson thought she was ready for "Moonlight Sonata" however, Hallie's ability was bigger than her fingers. Her fingers aren't long enough to reach the necessary keys. Maybe next year?
Bailee's solo was "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," she did great! I was so proud of her practicing and playing "Ode to Joy" with Hallie. She didn't think she would be able to do it but she surprised herself and Mrs. Larson!! I loved it!! To God be the Glory!!

I also must thank God for helping me through another year of raising these precious gifts. Most days I know I am running on pure Holy Spirit Power. Usually, it was Tuesdays and Thursdays now that it is over I want to write down what my Tuesday/Thursday pick-up routine was just for grins and giggles...

3:00 Pick up Jay from Pre-school
3:05 Pick up Riley from Washington Jr. High
3:10 Pick-up Hallie from Lincoln Middle school
3:15 Pick up Bailee from Highland Park Elementary
3:30 Drop off Hallie and Bailee at Piano and Violin Lessons

All with Charlie in tow... I'm so thankful he loves riding in the car!!

Lambing '09

I'm having frustrations with my photoshow so, if you want to see pics click:
Lambing '09

Last weekend we (meaning all my cuties and I) went to one of Jay's best friends' grandparents sheep-farm. We did this last year as well, thankfully this year wasn't quite as eventful! This year we just had a little sex-ed (Adrian, the dogs were "hunking") and the miracle of birth! "OH MY THAT IS SOOO GROSS!" and I'm quoting here. I knew it was time to go when Jay and Jacob were mud wrestling and my knees were covered in sheep poop. In spite of all that, we all had a great time cuddling those sweet little lambs.

Hooray for Clay!!

This post is for our male readers! Clay, Brady's best friend since college, came to see us again this year! As soon as he got here he and Brady started on my "honey-do" list! It was wonderful!! For some strange reason Brady seems to think doing my list is more fun with Clay? Clay was amazing he got the previously mentioned marker stains out of the couch, he fixed the ice maker, fixed some trim about the house and the girls bunkbeds. I could go on and on... They did manage to squeeze in a couple afternoons of prairie-dog slaughtering, I mean hunting! Most of the pictures they took were too graphic for my younger readers! We had so much fun, thank you soooo much for coming to see us "Uncle Tommy." The kids LOVE the wii game! We LOVE you, you're the best! Next time bring Anita and your cuties!!