My Rear Hurts

I have a very sore bum. This may seem like a sad story, but in reality it's a celebration! You may be thinking, "Huh?" Sit back, and let me finish. No more inturrupting.

My rear is very bruised this morning. This is because last night I took a pretty long bike ride. I rode all the way to the DQ (not the closest or second closest, but the third closest) and had myself an ice cream. I enjoyed this bike ride with my son in the child seat on the back. We got the bike seat from my moms house earlier this summer and he loves bike rides. We were not riding because he loves to ride.

We were also joined by Emma. Emma frequently joins us on our bike rides. This was the first time we were joined by another person. Brent also accompanied us on our bike trek. He joined us because it was a very special occasion. This was the first time that we took a family bike ride. It was the first time we rode to the third closest DQ. It was the first time (since we've been married) that Brent celebrated with a banana split. This was a very special occasion.

Seven years ago, yesterday, my mom donated a kidney to my dad. That was special, but that's not what we were celebrating. Four years ago, yesterday, my sister started her new job. Also, special, but not worthy of a banana split.

Nope...four years ago, yesterday, Brent adopted Emma! I can remember it so clearly. We kept her home from school. I remember walking from the laywers office to the court house, it was a beautiful day. I remember feeling so nervous/excited. I remember Emma reaching out to hold my hand. I remember the cold, hard feel of the wooden benches in the court room. I remember the judge saying that usually his job involves families being torn apart, and it's so refreshing to bring families together every once-in-a-while. I remember thinking that my whole life would change right now. And it did!

Now here we are four years later. Brent has learned some lessons in patience. Emma has learned some lessons in trying that patience. And we are all still working together as a family to communicate, to love, to forgive, to accept and to cherish...banana split, sore bum and all!

Farmer's Market

I love the farmer's market. It's not a market, it's an experience. We spent three -ish hours there this morning as a family. We people-watched, sampled delightful snacks and did some wonderful bargain hunting. We found the super-fabulous shoes that Keenan loves, but he's in the biggest size that Target sells. Well, a lady in the Bitterroot makes and sells them up to adult sizes, so Keenan is set for life! We found art for our sanctuary (the master bedroom). We bought local fruit, veggies, sauces and cheese. And based on the bulbs that we bought, my flower garden will be spectacular next summer. I can't wait to show it off!

Emma and I have been going to the market since she was a baby. We used to get a little treat from one of the bakery's there, and then wander around. A lady used to sell little girls dresses there that were very hippie. Emma loved them, and wore them summer and winter and everything in between. She called them her "farmet markers dresses". Not a lot has changed. Now it's the silk skirts and fancy bags that catch her attention. Also, she loved watching a man throw pots and a woman weave thread. Keenan enjoyed all of the people, and the dogs! So much to do and see at the market.

Time off!!!

I had two weeks off, and it was entirely lovely. I cleaned, relaxed and we went visiting. We travelled to visit the family in the east for the first time since Keenan was born. (That is hard to believe.) Keenan proved, yet again, that he does not like to travel by car. We stayed with Brent's parents for several days. It was so much fun. We relaxed!!! Keenan discovered a love of the riding the tractor outside. He demended rides frequently. Emma also got to drive it all by herself! In between tractor rides, we managed some other adventures as well. We got to visit my grandma. We also went to a creation dinosaur museum and toured all of the junk food that Brent grew up on. He loves the Coke Frostys, so we them almost every day of our visit. Yum! Then we moved back west for a great stop in Bozeman for my dear brother's wedding. It was so much fun, and an absolutely beautiful location. We are so happy to have a new sister/aunt (and of course brother Tigger). It was great to see all of the family!

I celebrated my first day back to work by requesting two more weeks off. So, now we are cleaning some more, and doing a lot more relaxing!

Just "Fort"ing Around

Emma posting here...

I made a prototype of this fort last night. My blue hamper is where I put my feet. Farther up is my pillow, next to that is a little nook that I can see the TV through. Next to that is where my stuffed animal sits, and across from him is some tissues, a water bottle and a book. I should be able to live here nicely for quite some time. I have an emergency blanket and last but definately not least, the remotes!

Morrell Falls

Emma and I celebrated the summer off with a hike to Morrell Falls. It was so much fun. It took us almost all day. We sang songs and ate huckleberries and found beautiful wild flowers on the hike into the falls. Then we are our picnic lunches and explored the falls. They were beautiful! It was a great day!

Keenan loves Butters

For Emma's tenth birthday my mom got her a cat. She and Brent went to the animal shelter and picked out Butters or Mr. Butters or Mr. Buttersworth as we also call him. Butters has been a great addition to the family. He's good natured, a little feisty and very cuddly. He is also extremely patient with Keenan so far.

No Excuse

I have no excuses. I just haven't blogged in a long time. What have I been doing with my time, you may ask? Well, as you can see from the picture, clearly we've been very busy! The photo doesn't do it justice, however, we have made Emma a new hat, sword and shield. Not a wasted day in my opinion.

Seriously, we've just been living life. The house takes quite a bit of time. We have a wonderful garden, with some beans, squash and lettuce, tons of tomatoes and no carrots. (We tried, who knew you could NOT grow carrots?) We have a new to us swing set compliments of the Frostattos.

I ran my summer programs. They were crazy but fabulous. We did one week of just hiking. So now I know all the hot spots to hike around here. I would love to play guide if anyone wants to visit.

Emma kept busy with acting camp, invention camp and camping camp. In addition, she got a whole week with her Aunt Kelli and a few days with Aunt Kim. She passed a big milestone. She had a birthday and is now in the double digits! And, as you can see, she is perfecting her balloon creation skills.

Keenan is always very busy. He can now climb to the top of the couch and swing one leg over faster than I can run across the room. He knows not to even stop to look at anyone if he is trying to climb from the hearth to behind the TV or he won't get there before he is removed. He knows exactly which is the sharpest knife in the drawer and where it is located and to just grab quickly in the hopes of making Mom yell again. He is also getting very creative with his communication skills. His goal seems to be to as much non-verbal or unconventional communication as possible. For example, whining and pointing at the fridge clearly means "milk". Or just whining in general means, "let's go outside and play!" And of course my favorite, hitting the cat repeatedly means, "you'd better give me something else to do quick or one of us is going to get hurt!" He also has several signs down. He can sign more, please, dog, cat, ball, hot, hat, baby, bye bye, all done...I think there are more, but I can't remember them. He can also do a sign for thank you...he salutes. Pretty cute!

When Brent's not at work, he's busy at home. He has done an amazing job with the garden and the yard...who knew I had such a green thumb around? Last night he spent with the power tools putting the baby locks on the drawers in the kitchen. We already did that on the lowest cabinets, but now we needed to move up a level. It's so nice to have such a handy man.

I think that sums up the summer so far. Hope you are all enjoying your summers!