Best Field Trip Ever

 I got to go on an overnight fieldtrip with Brendan in May to Helena and Great Falls.  The Montana History Field Trip is something planned for the entire year and the kids study hard in preparation.  I had at least as much fun as Brendan and can't wait to go back to the places we visited and spend more time.

After our visit to the capitol we headed for the Gates of the Mountain, a boat ride up the Missouri River.  Spectacular scenery and lots of history.  Left to right upper row:: Brendan and his buddies; the boat we did not ride on; Brendan's friend Peyton.   Our boat (not pictured) was the Sacagewea.  We nicknamed her the Sinking Sacagawea as it broke down and left us stranded for a while. Second row: Brian, the paramedic prepared for all emergencies with chapstick; the gate of the mountain; as the boat goes from the right to left it appears as though a gate is closing. Third row: Mrs. Adkins calls for help; the other boat comes to our rescue; Brendan and Britton considered paddling with their clipboards.

Time to Plant!

Each of the kids got their own garden spot to plant whatever they chose.  They have so much fun checking their boxes each day for new activity.  I am enjoying them being old enough to help in the garden!

Field Trip

A field trip to help the FWP stock a local fishing pond.  Two hatchery trucks full of trout to release for locals to catch.  So they load 5 or 6 trout with a little water into a garbage bag and send the kids hiking down the trail to the pond.  Takes about 5 minutes at a good clip to get from one to another.  The day was warm and sunny.  After about 45 minutes the FWP guy was hollering at the kids to "hurry, hurry, hurry" because the "fish were getting stressed from the heat!"  Could it be because a 10 year old had just jogged down a trail with them in a leaky garbage bag banging their heads together? Most of them did fine, but some came out belly up for a minute or two until their will to live had been restored.

Soccer Time

This year we have transitioned to competitive soccer.  Brendan is playing in the U10 group of the Flathead Soccer Club and his team is known as the "Flathead Force".  He is thrilled to be on a real team.  They practice twice each week.  They have played 4 games and are thus far undefeated.  These pictures are from the first game against Whitefish.  We are impressed with the coach who has done a great job teaching them footwork, passing and teamwork.  We have a tournament in Kalispell next week and after that we travel to Missoula.

Mother's Day

3 reasons why I love Mother's Day

And here's another...

 
...and another...

...and another...

My Best Friend's Wedding

On a perfect day at the end of March, two people I love finally tied the knot!  It was a beautiful wedding with lots of friends and family.  I had a great time not only seeing them so happy, but also seeing people I hadn't seen in 17 years! 

 

Rita was very excited to get dressed up in her new dress and go to the wedding.  Anthony, ever the home body, not so much!

 

 

Children's Museum, SLC, March 30, 2012