Ending...

Summer's ending always leads to new beginnings.  For my kiddos this year, those new beginnings are another year of high school for Bean, but with the addition of "zero period" that begins at 7:30-ish, the beginning of middle school for Dizzy and trying some new sports while she heals from her elbow problem and being an "only child" at a school for Tater, who has always had a sibling to ride the bus with and be at school.

Yesterday was our last fun day of the summer, I typically don't work on Wednesdays so we try and find something fun to do as a family.  Our favorite place to go is to an old gravel pit that has filled in with water and is a fun (free) place to play and cool off.  Today we weren't joined by our usual friends, but one of Bean's friends came (and heaven forbid, drove himself) and joined us for the fun.  

The girls after racing towards the water, Dizzy diving in and Tater stopping at knee deep and watching (and laughing).

 Dizzy coming up after a dive.

 Tater trying to tread water (yes, she's wearing a life jacket, but at least learning the movements)

 The boys, and no I don't know why Bean has a rock in his hand.

 As much as they disagree, the four of them get along well.

 Bean and Tater

 Having fun, in spite of the sun leaving and the wind coming up...

 Dizzy gave up way before the others...I think the arm is still a bit sore.

Swimming with big brothers (I do tend to call Beans friend my extra son). They're so good with her.

A video of the three of them having a ball and playing. I hope the giggling comes through loud and clear!

We ended the day at one of the local grocery stores for ice cream cones.  They make the best cones for a great price.

Well, the boys are off camping this weekend, us girls will have to finish school shopping and next week at this time they'll all be back to school.

Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be sure to enjoy summer while it lasts!

Rocks! (Glacier Park Part 3)

I have always loved the water in Glacier Park, but this year, one of the information boards mentioned the rock formations.

This had me curious and looking for different rocks to expand my enjoyment and discovery.

 I love how you can see the layers that were formed in these rocks.

 OK, water shot here, but the rocks do show up nicely in the clear water.

 Another layered rock shot, but these unique formations from glaciers and erosion are all over in the park.

 Even the man-made areas, here a tunnel, are made with rock to keep them looking natural.

 Here's a man-made bridge that you have to be watching for to find, as they used natural rocks to create it.

 Bare mountain tops.  Another pretty sight and another chance to see the layers of rock that were formed.

And my favorite, the rocks in the bottom of Lake McDonald.

Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be sure to admire the hidden beauty around you!

TGIF!

It was a rough week.  Not only was I on vacation for the previous week, which always seems to have me feeling a step or two behind, but Sunday morning, the computer server crashed and we have spent the last week hoping for a miraculous repair.

Monday was spent waiting for the ordered parts, Tuesday was spent installing and hoping.  Wednesday was spent trouble-shooting, Thursday we had a moment of excitement when  we were up momentarily before new problems cropped up (anyone else annoyed by technology?) but today, the end of the week, with tours being done at our library this evening from a convention here in town, when we want to look our best, the miracle was there.  We all pitched in and things looked great before I left work, a great end to the week.

I made it home to two cute kitties who were waiting for me.

Mickey has almost grown into his harness.  He can't wait, since when it finally fits, he can explore the great outdoors. Bitsey tried to jump out of my arms, unfortunately disproving the myth that cats always land on their feet.  She's OK, but not very happy with me (and why it is my fault that she jumped while I had my hands full?).

This week has been busy, Bean is back into cross country, official practice begins Monday, so he spent this week running with the team.  He's very sore and sleepy, since he's working as well every day.

Dizzy is out of her cast.  Her arm is tiny and not moving very well. We're setting up some physical therapy so we can get her back into practice as soon as it is safe.

Tater is anxious for school to begin and soccer practice to start again.

I have decided I do not have the ability to teach  my son to drive and will be handing over the responsibility to The Boss.  I just don't deal well with 3 near accidents in one day because certain 15 year olds have problems focusing.

A fun picture from vacation.  Bean and Tater had a blast playing in Lake McDonald while we were there.

Be Happy! Be Healthy!

Be sure to catch MSU Family Fun Day and Scrimmage tomorrow in Bozeman!

Water! (Glacier Park part 2)

Part of what I love about visiting Glacier National Park is all of the water that surrounds me.

From rushing waterfalls

To deep clear ponds

To amazing run-off (even at the beginning of August)

And to the great opportunity to have minnows nibbling at my feet!

My challenge to each of you is to find the beauty somewhere near your home.  We went twenty minutes through town today to spend the day on the beach (or as close as I can find...nothing is like the beach at Gramma's house).

Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be sure to find some beauty in your day!

Beauty

I am so lucky to live in such a beautiful area.  Not 4 hours from my house (and that's pulling a camper along behind) is Glacier National Park.

We stayed outside of the park this year, but it was a good campground, allowed us to have power and water in the camper. That was a real treat, as that is always our concern when we want to camp for more than a day or two.  They also had shower houses, so we could use a full-sized shower.  I was also able to catch their wi-fi in the mornings when it wasn't so busy.

 We saw some not quite wildlife.

 Mama bear and her two cubs.  Cubs are behind the trees and I couldn't get a better shot (and we weren't going to chase after her to try and get one--unlike the brainless herd that blocked the road and used our hood--yes while we were on the road and trying to drive--to support their camera). It was very cool to see and one of the things we were hoping to see while there.

 The kids love the ground squirrels and their relatives.

  Again, not wildlife, but the line of horses brought back so many memories...

Big Horn Sheep are always a treat and these were right up at the Logan Visitor Center.

Another ground rodent.

A little toad, something different.

We seem to like playing the license plate game and ended up with 43 states and a continent.

Next post will be some of the scenery that we enjoyed and plenty of rushing water...

Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be Sure to take time to smell the flowers!

Clean kitty

It has not been unusual while showering to have Mickey sit on the edge of the tub OUTSIDE of the  shower curtain and peek at me.  He will jump back and look disgusted when a bit of water touches him and that usually ends the peep show.

I turn around the other morning and there is Bitsey. Not on the edge like Mickey does, but in the tub with me, playing with the puddles.

She now has her own "towel" (one of the kids' old thick washcloths) and is quite proud of herself.  

No wonder I haven't been able to discourage her from misbehaving with the spray bottle!

It made for a great "Why I'm late for work today" story.

Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be sure to laugh today!

Garden goodness

I ran out to the garden tonight, thinking there might be a touch of lettuce ready to cut and maybe a few peas... thirty minutes (and a sore back later) this is what I found...

 lettuce with a bit of spinach mixed in (never thought I would be eating spinach without gagging...but had never tried it raw in salad or sandwiches)

A mixture of beans and peas.  Enough for dinner one night of beans and lots of blossoms out there to give me more later.

Thankfully, since we're headed out on vacation in 36 hours, I have a coworker who tends to not complain if I bring over my extras...

Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be sure to eat some produce right out of the garden!