Week 33--Montana

Monday, August 13th

A typical scene around here in the morning, except for the new addition of the seat for Renna that Maddy brought up from the basement.

Madison and Juliet took the all day American Red Cross Babysitter's Course.  They are certified!

Renna and I left for Montana!  We joined Mom, Lisa, and Melody on a Wild West Adventure!  Melody sparked the trip with her desire to learn more about our Montana roots.  I was so grateful to be a part of the trip!  I will go into much greater detail with more pictures in separate posts, but for now I tried hard to keep it to one picture per day.  A teaser.

Here is a very cool fountain in the Detroit airport.

Tuesday, August 14th
We arrived in Big Timber, where my grandparents' love bloomed, and where much of my grandfather's family still resides.

Wednesday, August 15th
The four of us spent the day in Yellowstone.  We only had time for the upper loop.

Thursday, August 16th
About 100 family members gathered for a mid-week evening family reunion, sparked by our trip out.  In addition to the HUGE wall of family tree, pictures, and family information was a display of family memorabilia.  When I saw this and read the note "Milo's saddle", it literally took my breath away.  I gasped and immediately choked on the lump in my throat.

Everyone made it abundantly clear that horses were Milo's first love.  And he died doing what he loved.  I placed my hand on the horn that he once held.  I smelled it, and felt very fulfilled by having seen it.  A gift.

Friday, August 17
Milo's brother (my great uncle) Paul, took us to breakfast before we hit the road.  Our time spent with him was some of the most precious memories of the whole trip.

Back at home: 

We don't usually buy the kids things when we are away, but I got them some Montana Bear Poop to share.  Trevor and Rocco were hilarious!  I had them tricked for a while.  Rocco wouldn't even touch, until finally he held it by the corners and announced, "Yet's fush it down the toy-yet!"  After convincing them that bear poop was really good, they finally enjoyed the chocolate praline peanuts.

Week 32

Monday, August 6th

We said goodbye to Amanda.  Actually I think it was more like "see you later."  With the Fresh Air program you can opt to have the same kid subsequent years, so we'll definitely request her.  She was an awesome fit for our family.  

I gave her a couple of opportunities to buy something special to remember her Connecticut trip.  In the end, she said she wanted a Bible.  She and Madison had read one every day together.  She also enjoyed Promiseland at church, and I'd like to think our every day lives' display some semblance of  a living, breathing walk with Christ.  It just melted my heart to hear she wanted a Bible for a souvenir.

She has called the house numerous times since she left and is reading her Bible every day.

New matching outfits.

Annika (Bethany's FA child), Juliet, Madison, Amanda

Nathanael has started his own pre-season training.  He skates up and down the street for up to an hour with my hand weights.  He's starting with the 3's and hopes to get ups to the 8's.  He's very proud when he gets sweaty enough that it drips down his face.  After day 1 he was quite sore, but he's determined to "get my legs in shape for skating."

I love catching moments like this.  First the smooches, then the belly blowing.

Tuesday, August 7th
We took a ride out to Hampton to see Mom's mini room makeovers.  We're having trouble keeping Rocco secured in his seat.

We walked down to the General Store in hopes of ice cream.  It has changed so, so much since my days of riding my bike down with a fist full of nickels and pennies.  We were disappointed with the lack of selection and NO candy jars.

Wednesday, August 8th
We've been sneaking across the street to the LeBlanc's basement while they are gone to catch the Olympics.  LOVED watching the Misty and Carrie take the Gold in beach volleyball.

Thursday, August 9th
Just a little too cute!

Friday, August 10th

This is so typical around our house.  As a girl, I just cannot grasp the concept of being pummeled as actual fun.

Jon, Andrea, and the girls came to spend the night.  Ninny called to tell us a tornado was gonna hit in 10 minutes.  We hung out in the basement til it passed and then went to Jim and Sandy's  for dessert since we were out of power and so we could check out Ninny and Papa's new space.

Saturday, August 11th

A beautiful day for a beautiful couple to marry.  Jon and Ariel finally did it!  And Lisa took some beautiful pictures.

Sunday, August 12th

Project Almost-A-Tornado clean-up.

5 Months

It was a BIG month for Little Miss Renna!  Lots of new tricks!  She's getting really good in the jumper, which is a great place to stick her, since she's just about done with the swing.  She's also sharpening her gross motor skills and getting really good at batting and grasping objects.  So now her favorite dinosaur, Zoe, or a rattle can entertain her for quite some time.  The fine motor skills are coming along.  Her petite little baby fingers are so cute grabbing onto her pacifier.

She is happy and bright with dark brown eyes that glisten.  She is a little magnet for old men, it seems.  They love getting up close for a good look at her and they just melt when their affection is returned with a big smile and sometimes a high-pitched, gleeful cooing.

She loves gnawing on anything put into her mouth, as well as sucking on her shirt or dress.

Her new hair is coming in.  It seems to be fine and light brown in color.

Firsts this month included drinking water out of a cup, rolling over both ways and all round, and puking  (thankfully it was just a short little stomach bug).

She is officially into size 2 diapers!  Go ahead and scroll through my favorites from this month and try to tell me she isn't just the cutest, sweetest thing!  We just adore her.

Still figuring out the exact science of the jumper:

And she thinks she is hot stuff blowing bubbles.  She stays busy with that tongue.