Sweet 16

On March 20th The Girls turned 16. Since that was a Tuesday, and they are pretty busy, their mom decided to throw them a surprise party on Saturday the 24th.

We had the pleasure of being the "diversion" for the day. And it was fun! I got to be super mean and make them practice their horns, haul dirt around, study vocab and help Etta clean up the neighborhood. After we had been doing yard work for 2 1/2 hours I suggested we go for a walk. We ended up by the church and I just happened to have to go to the bathroom. When we headed downstairs Etta and I were in the lead. She said, "What are all these people doing here?" Just after that The Girls made it down and everyone shouted "Surprise!" Unfortunately Etta was terrified and I was too busy comforting her to get any surprise face pictures. But I did get some cake pictures.

Hey, how you doin'?



That's a lot of candles! (33 to be exact. 16 for each of them and a single 16!)



Blowing them out.



Hey! Rachel got to blow them all out!



We sure love those girls.

Happy Birthday Uncle Erik!

If we thought you were comin' we'd a baked a cake, baked a cake, baked a cake! If we thought you were comin' we'd a baked a cake, howdy do, howdy do, howdy do.

If we thought you were comin' we'd a hired a band, finest band, in the land. If we thought you were comin' we'd a hired a band, howdy do, howdy do, howdy do.

Oh we don't know where you came from and we don't know where you've been. But it doesn't really matter, get a fork and grab your platter and dig, dig, dig right in.

If we thought you were comin' we'd a baked a cake, hired a band, goodness sake. If we thought you were comin' we'd a baked a cake, howdy do, howdy do, howdy do.



We miss you!! And if you were here Etta would serenade you with her saxophone. On the new neck strap that she created.

Have a great day!!

It Begins

Potty training that is. Over the last 10 days I have discovered that it is going to be a much different process than it was with Etta. But what ISN'T different this time around? Oh well, that's what keeps it exciting.



Etta has been "helping". "I'll show her how to go pee-pee on the potty Mommy!" Meh, can't hurt, right?

Park Day

Two Fridays ago (when I took the picture of the girls on the porch) it was a beautiful day. I have been trying to "seize the moment" more and worry less about routine and schedules. For a lot of people this isn't a big deal, but my Type A self really struggles with that sometimes.

But I decided that it was too nice of an evening to be in the gym on a "date" or to be in our house because it was "easier". So I made a pizza, wrapped it in foil, loaded up the little girls and The Girls and we beat feet to Pioneer Park.

It was heavenly.

And this weekend wasn't bad either. Except I didn't get any pictures. Sorry mom, I'm trying!

This is a BIG stick...tumble weed...thing...



This girl is a climber. And doesn't really want much assistance even though she needs it.



And there is no fear in this little body. None at all....yikes...



But there is a bit of static electricity.

"Reading"

We are finally to the point that we can read to Mae, and that she can "read" to herself without destroying whatever she is reading.

Well, most of the time anyway.

It has been harder to read to "just Mae". When we had "just Etta" reading time was easy. Whenever and where ever was okay. But Mae is watching, and she seems to enjoy books.

Just a different time frame.

As with everything else we've been doing.

[Pictures and narration by Bob]

Hey girls! Can you look at me?



Nice Mommy! Hey Mae!!



Sheesh Mommy. Good smile Mae!!

Quick Visit

During Jazz Festival (Feb. 25ish) my mom and dad came over for - the day.

Yep, the day. They left Fort Benton Thursday afternoon and got to Lewiston Friday around noon. Then they left Lewiston around noon on Sunday and got home Monday afternoon. Well, I guess they were here for 48 hours, but one day sounds more exciting.

Since it was a short visit we didn't get many pics. Just one really. And unfortunately Mae was sleeping when we got this one...

And since my dad had just had hip replacement three weeks before it was kind of a miracle that they could come. Made us happy!!

Church Clothes and Laura

Since Etta does not particularly like to dress up, I pull the mom perogative and get to pick out clothes on Sunday. I try to keep it within her "style" but dress it up a bit. I am pretty sure that all of these clothes are courtesy of Aunt Molly.





You can't really tell in these pics, but Etta is preferring her her in two braids to anything else. Like Laura Ingalls in the Little House books. Whatever works!!

That is Mae's favorite jacket right now. She loves to wear it all the time.

Aunt Molly & Her Girls

On Wednesday, February 29th.



We love you Aunt Molly!!

The Promise

Of good times to come this summer. Snack on the front porch Friday afternoon. 72 degrees and fun!

In Honor of Spring Break

Mae and Uncle Erik checking some important stuff on the internet. I'm sure that he is just as relaxed right now since he is on spring break. But not having as much fun since the girls aren't there.

Dear Santa,

Etta "wrote" a letter to Santa this year. I did dot letters and she traced over them with a blue marker. She asked for a Gordon Engine to go with her Thomas the Tank Engine train set. He came through with it as a stocking stuffer.

Baby Jesus Villiage

The entire month of December Etta liked to get out ALL of her Little People stuff and play Baby Jesus Villiage. I think that I enjoy it almost as most (if not more!) than she does!!

The whole villiage. Of course you need a barn for the animals, a tent for people to sleep in, the Inn, and a bus for tourists to ride in on. And Santa got the girls a shepard set and 3 wise men. Next year will be even bigger and better. A new zoo and safari car (thanks to Aunt Molly!) won't hurt either!!

The Nativity scene. One of my favorites out of all that I have. It's interactive!


The Inn is FULL. Mommy, daddy, baby asleep in the beds. Farmers Jed & Ted using the "facilities", Grandma Cathy & Grandpa Steve doing laundry, Noah & Mrs. Noah relaxing on the couch, Aunt Molly & Uncle Jim cooking a meal, and two shepards eating dinner. No wonder there wasn't any room for Baby Jesus.

Back Log

Since my computer died just before Thanksgiving, and I got a new camera for Christmas (thanks, mom!), I have a little back log between those two dates. I will try to do at least a few different posts to get "caught up".

Grandma Cathy turned 60!

For her birthday Molly planned a surprise party. She flew into town and Amy & the girls came up to join in on the fun.

We tried to get a few different group shots...

Cousins ~ Mae, Etta, Kellie, Lila, Payton, Luke







Etta being Etta

Grandkids

This is some good cake!!

Aunt Molly and her girls

Grandpa Lynn

Bob's grandfather passed away just over a week ago. It's been a sad week, but I've been trying to focus on happy memories.


Here is the last picture that we got of the girls with Grandpa Lynn. It was at Cathy's 60th surprise birthday party. Cousin Kellie is in the middle.




We love you Great Grandpa Lynn!