Flyin' High in Montana

There's been so much fun stuff going on since my last post, but I haven't taken the time to post like I should. 

But so many things this past weekend have brought my thoughts to my sweet grandparents, so wanted to share pictures with them. 

Grandpa, we went to the airshow in kalispell yesterday, and kids had a blast! Us adults did too, of course...we got there at 10 am and pulled out of the congested lot after 5:30.  Kids did amazing all day long!!8

The boys got to step up into a little Civil Air Patrol Cesna. It was a new one with fancy screens and got to chat with it's proud pilot. Come time to get out, they made it known they could have stayed in there forever. It was cool!

Grandma B also bought them tickets for some pretty awesome bouncy houses shaped like aircraft coolness. They went in one shaped like a navy ship and plane taking off, and also in a spacecraft shaped one. 

After the show, the Thunderbird crew came out to sign autographs, and Coy got a picture with and signature of Major Joshua Boudreaux. A local hero, Capt Jason Curtis, returned home in a Thunderbird to Kalispell, making the event even more exciting! There was also a woman Thunderbird pilot from River Falls, WI :)

Here are a few more pictures from the day; 

Wild Hair Bentley demonstrates why ear muffs are needed....the Birds were so loud...we now know why they put the word Thunder in there! 

For the rest of the evening, we played up at Ade & Anna's hilltop home. They all rode horses, played airshow, jumped on the trampoline cousin style (meaning all 9 of them at once) and wrestled till they were sweaty and stinky. ❤️ 

Then this afternoon Duane and Janette took us up to West Glacier to take a bike ride in the park. Unfortunately, a flat bike tire and a rainstorm put a damper on the riding, but we got to eat a nice dinner in the park and threw rocks in Lake McDonald after the rain ceased. The sun coming out and the mountain view was extraordinarily beautiful tonight! 

And like any good day at the pig farm, we ended the day with ice cream and stories with Papa before bed. 

Today was beautiful. 

More Than Just A Thunderstorm

I know we have those days (maybe too many for me!), the days where we create a massive out-of-control thunderstorm within. Today was my day... Boys scratched my newly refinished turquoise table, 3 milk spills in one meal setting, Legos everywhere, poop, 4 whiney pants, headache, and making myself miserably drown in a puddle of self-pity. 

Then we had a real thunderstorm. Lightening. Hard, hard rain. Strong wind. Lost power, even.

The storm died down, and the sun peeked out offering warmth again and reassurance it was still there. 

Then we looked up. 

FreeToBe

There seems to be a whole movement of "wild and free" lately, and I can't help but LOVE the sudden acceptance of kids being wild. Being free to to be wild. 

Not the undisciplined kind of wild, but wild imagination, noise, crazy kind of play that awesomely enough, only kids understand. 

The wild boys are in a boy hideout as I sit nearby in the shade and blog. Adults are not allowed, unless it's to rescue babies, says the captain. They're running to and from the garden, collecting green beans and onions that pass as brownies and pancakes. The tball set-up is getting whaked as they shout "touch down!" without a care or knowing that in a world of rules and critics, they'd be dead wrong. The play set is a rodeo stand, it's a deer stand, it's the Titanic. 

Oh, to be a kid again. It makes my heart sing just watching them <3

Here it is, August already! With a constant temp of above 90, we can say that it's time to start looking forward to FALL! Well, no matter what season it is, I pretty much always look forward to and yearn for fall :)

I just love this picture of B-bug napping on daddys shoulder. Nevermind the comments from daddy saying that he was a typical boy...falling asleep while shopping in World Market. ;) It's especially meaningful because the night before this day, a 20 year old kid was killed riding his 4wheeler right down the road from us. I went out running my usual route and missed being a witness by about 5 minutes, and am so thankful that wasn't something I had burned into my memory forever. Our hearts are so heavy...that family losing their only son, brother, grandson, friend...

I still feel this, which was my instagram cry;

I want to love my boys with all my heart, every single second. I pray that they are kept from pain and darkness without comfort. That they always look both ways and wear their helmets. That they always work hard and reap bountiful benefits. That they love purely and know love like none other. That they hold open doors and are respectful and in return are appreciated and respected. That They eat their veggies and have good health. ❤️ The kid down the road died from blowing a stop sign he'd crossed a thousand times. And no helmet because itd become habit. My heart cures out for his parents and little sis. 💔 #lifewithboys #amotherscry #alwayslookbothways #protectyourbrain

I set myself up for punishment every time I agree to the mud..but they just looove playing in the mud! They cake their trucks, fill the buckets, occasionally throw mud balls (a no-no), make rivers and pathways in the mud which keeps them busy for a decent amount of time. And we 're all SO glad that this house has hot water in the outside spicket, because it makes an easy clean up. Out comes the soap, off go the clothes, and we can soap up and watch the muddy water run off the porch without a drop in the house. Just kidding, mud and dirt ALWAYS make their way in. Groan..

Before it got so beastly hot, the kids made the grassy shady island their "hideaway." We had picnics there, story time, truck races (crashes), and games out there. I just love watching the boys make a whole imaginary world out of nothing. When "they" say that kids in the old days only had sticks to play with, I strongly believe that they were happier kids then kids today!

The hideaway, however, was not a convenient place to take a nap. Just ask this mama...this was the view during (un)restful time. :)

Reid will be your friend. IF you have ice cream. Or cookies. Anything sweet. Eating dessert on the porch the other night with Nick & Beth, little Reid showed his dimples and walked bowl to bowl, knowing full well he'd get a spoonful from each person he rested against. For only being alive for 18 months, I'd say he's learned things pretty quickly ;)

C'mon...how cute is this bundle? I got to spend a few hours with just him the other week while our friend Leonika awesomely took the kids to see Planes Fire and Rescue!! The kids had an absolute blast with her, and this bug and I spent most of our time browsing Target. :D

Feet to the sky? Oh yes!

4 handsome boys. 4 boys living wild and free. 4 unimaginable blessings.

Kids and I took an impromptu afternoon trip to the river with Beth, Abi & Talon (her big kids!). Abi survived a car accident the week before so she sat with her bruised feet in the cold water and Talon (who the kids idolize!) helped the boys make a minnow pond out of river rocks. Sunshine and fellowship proves a wonderful afternoon <3 doing="" has="" hours="" meant="" much="" never="" nothing="" p="" so="" spent="">
Hope you all out there in blogland get to spend profitable hours doing nothing! <3 p="">
Oh, and keep cool this month!

A Nothing Day

Today we did pretty much nothing. Nothing that was forced, or planned anyway. We went to our final day of swim lessons, then played in the smoke and ate cheese and crackers for lunch. I sewed a couple newborn outfits while laughing dirty boys ran in and out of the open front door. 

This one, ^^^, cracks me up. Such friends on their own world, then suddenly a Hobbes like attack from little bro. The aftermath was about like Calvin's too...possibly a tad more scream though.

I was politely invited to attend (and make, go figure) an afternoon snack of English muffin and Beth's jam.

This is the girl outfit I made today. The shirt says "never mind the cloudy days" and I wore it when I was like 16. We were cleaning out boxes and boxes of old clothes for the "pretty stuff sale" next weekend but couldn't bear to part with this one. It was worn a lot and has lots of sentimental meaning. I may have to just keep this one in case we ever happen to need a baby girl outfit ;)

Farmer Reid, wondering where the tomatoes are...his ma is too.

The smoke has been so thick today. The mountains have disappeared and the sky is gray and you can even look directly at the sun, which appears to be a big orange marble. Smoke is coming up and over from ID and WA and expected to stick around for another few days. I cannot imagine what it's like right next to the fires! Talon (nick and Beth's son) is on the Hot Shot team this year and is on his first uncontrolled fire, so we are very glad that these guys are trained well in fires!

We strolled down smokey Main Street and may or may not have stopped at the drug store for ice cream. 

Hmm, Kase and Reid seem to prove that we DID make that stop..

Just missing Grandpa & Grandma now, who were there the last time we went for I've cream :)

Those July Days

It's been so hot and smoky here that even though I know fall is a LONG way off, it feels like it's just around the corner.

I'm not a morning person at all but have been trying. When I can get a few moments of quiet time for my soul in before the noise wakes up, I am able to have more patience for a bit longer. Bentley and Kase were early birds too this day and joined me outside to bask in the morning air.

Beth, Bonnie,  Shelby and our boys had a picnic at the splash park last week on one of those hot hot days. Shelby is such a great help and friend to the boys...which I love too because when she's with them this ma can actually sit down long enough to have a conversation with my friends! It's been a few years since I could sit and do that :)

It's no secret, our kids are terrified of dogs. I am too. But we love Zeke and Maggie who live with Nick and Beth. Reid even shared his cantaloupe with Zeke.

I often wish that I could give our boys more adventure, but time and money are restricting. Then I see them running around playing like boys do, and see that in itself, to be what you are, is adventure enough! Kase plays here in the big tires at the park where we met some new friends for snack. At first, he ducked down to nearly sitting on the ground and scooted through. Each pass he would raise up a little higher until he was comfortable enough to know he wouldn't hit his head, like he watched his little friend do. Even though they're rough boys, it's sweet knowing they're still a bit cautious and thinkers :)

I put all (yes ALL) of the Legos away now, because this boy didn't care if he ever saw the beautiful sun as long as he had his Legos. So, just like how addicting gadgets can be for kids, I decided it was time to have a lesson in moderation with Legos. Once they were put away, he wanted to spend more time outside too. (Which was the purpose!) We took a walk/ride up to Nick and Beth's, which is 3 miles round trip. Not once did they complain even after a huge hill or two!

This hot weather has exploded my buttercup squash! We also have summer squash growing, zucchini blossoms, bean blossoms, and thick rows of beets. Summer has felt so fulfilling!

About Reid - 17 months

Since I was gone from blogland, I missed posting all about Reid and his firsts! Now, I can try to be the mom that remembers all the firsts and the dates they happened...but I'm not. So I may fib by a month or so, but here's what this handsome prince has been up to;

* Little whippersnapper at less than 20 lbs at 17.5 months

* Started getting up on all 4s and rocking since 4.5 months, but didn't actually crawl till 10

* Was a late teether, getting his first at almost 11 months

* Now has a bunch. And they make him look really old, especially when he's wrinkling up his nose, giggling and showing off them pearly whites. He has only a few molars and eye teeth left to come in.

* Was not really into food either. Still isn't. However, he's been known to eat little Lego people heads. And they always come out face up. Creepy. And gross.

* Walked at 13 months. Ran shortly thereafter. But he also rides a lot in my Hava sling.

* Still loves to nurse, and I love nursing him! He's going on the longest kiddo to nurse, just ahead of Bentley who weaned at 17 months.

* Seriously has taken his roll of "baby of the family" too lightly, and is now acting not-so-much like the baby.

* Favorite pairs of shoes are little blue Toms and Minnetonka moccasins.

* He doesn't say too many words yet. He does say mama, da, stop (first word, along with the thrown out hand that comes saying 'stop'), no, hot, tickle tickle and a few others. He signs more, please, drink, and just did thank you for the first time yesterday.

* Wears a little pair of Wranglers like a {cowboy} boss.

He's full of life and has such a pleasant disposition! Granted there are days all he does is want to nurse and be held, he is always a beam of light in our days! He's always interested in what big brothers are doing and joins in and "goes with {that} flow", but still has a shrill way of holding his own.

He's not being a fan of this pool yet, but his pout is adorable. He will squish his whole face up and squint his eyes like his daddy. Anytime he can escape thru an open door, he will.

This is one of his most favorite places, and I'm sure it's one of daddy's too! Since around13 months, Reid has been sleeping in his own bed, but is still known to find his way to ours and snuggle in between us. I don't mind as long as I get to sleep most of the night...I often feel a little heart broken that they're become little men SO fast! If I can keep him in our bed and keep an eye on him...he can't grow up then right? Like a watched pot never boils...? I'll just need someone to confirm that, please!?

Oh, and a favorite food is strawberries. When in Escanaba MI, we picked up some for a snack at the beach and little Berry Pants ate nearly this whole carton.

If there's a glass of water anywhere he can see....he WILL get it and take a drink, and then SPILL it. Most people just breath without thinking, but this guy will spill things just like that. He will also stuff his entire supper into a very small drinking glass.

Now, when I was pregnant with Reid and didn't know gender yet, a lot of people thought I would be hoping for a girl. We didn't care, obviously. I loooove having little boys because they're just plain fun, make you thankful for your husband and realize how awesome his mama raised him, keep you surprised at what can go in the wash machine and not get destroyed, keep you thankful for your soft bed at bedtime, and are sweet on their mama. HOWEVER, one thing that I could live without, is the hands down the pants. All. The. Time. And look who has started it. Joy.

Sometimes I squeeze him, put my lips on his soft cheeks and smell his (fleeting) innocent baby smell and my heart quadruples in size immediately. When he looks at me and grins while nursing, I can't believe that God gave him to US. He's the perfect addition to his family, and his brothers are as lucky to have him as he is them.