4th of July weekend

I kept this surprise from the kids for a few weeks. Not an easy task considering everyone kept asking me if/when Jason would be home, and my kids hear everything I say when I don't want them to. 

So Saturday, I left the boys home with Tyler and went to pick up "milk" at Costco. They were so surprised when their Daddy was at the front door with me. Elliott's hug lasted forever and was so tight that his fingers turned white. 

After finding out that we live in the county and not the city (I love Montana), we went to the fireworks stand and for a little entertainment. We told the kids they could have $10, and we should have stuck with that, but after Jason and I were finished picking out items, we were well over budget. Oooops. We saved the big ones for the 4th, and ended up going back for a 2nd round after this purchase.  

Sunday, I didn't get any pictures, but we took the kids to the movie to see Cars 2, then we hung out at home, and in the evening, Jason and I got a sitter for the kids and had a night out to ourselves. It was so nice to get away. 

Monday, we were invited to barbecue and set off fireworks at the Hellbush house. It was such a great time. The kids played basketball, and with the dogs for several hours and the food was amazing! It's so nice to have so many people who have already become like family here in Helena.

Chris, who is deploying with Jason, had an arsenal of fireworks, and we added in ours. It made for a great show. :)  

Elliott just likes the poppers............ 

And the sparklers.  

It was a really late night, and none of us were looking forward to the next day.

We took our time in the morning, and Jason and the boys got in a quick game of hockey before we had to head to the airport. 

Jason gave Ethan and Elliott their own patrol caps. Ethan wore his for the rest of the day. 

Aren't they so cute?  

We had a fabulous weekend, and crammed a lot of family time in too. 

Craftaholics Anonymous Gift Exchange

Linked to:

This is a blog I started following a while ago, and she recently hosted a gift exchange. I had never participated in one, but thought it sounded really fun, so I signed up. I'm always excited to show off my "skills". Lol. 

If you click on the link above, you can see all of the cool things people are giving and getting.

Here is what I sent my partner Bethany: 

Thank you Bethany for sending me a pic.

 I am clearly a rookie, and forgot to photo my items I gave.

Ooops.

And here is what I received from Bethany:

Awe-Some!

A scissor case, and matching pin cushion in a frame, and amazing smelling soap! 

I am so excited! This was a lot of fun, and I am waiting for the next one. 

the lake

I wanted to post this before it got lost in the shuffle. 

Last weekend, the Family Readiness Group had a family picnic at the lake here. It was a great day for it too. Not too hot, and not raining. :) 

The boys and I went a little early to make sure we could get a good spot. I was shocked to see that there was almost no one at the lake, and we had a huge selection of picnic areas. Almost immediately after setting our things down, we walked down to the water, and off came the shoes. 

Elliott liked just watching.  

Ethan on the other hand went right in. :) 

The water was FREEZING! 

Elliott's favorite part was watching the boats go by. 

Rock skipping was, again, a big hit.  

And Ethan is getting really good at it. 

After the other families showed up, we ate and chatted, and all the kids played together in the sand and water for hours. We had a great time and I can't wait to go back.

iPhone videos

Yes, I'm totally lame, and just today, tried to upload a video from my phone directly to our YouTube channel. It was ridiculously easy, so expect more. for now, here are a couple recent ones. 

This is one of the knots Ethan learned to tie at camp. If he ever had to be thrown a rope and pulled to safety, this knot could save his life. Let's hope he never has to test it. 

This is the video of Elliot using his striker at camp. 

Then, from today, Ethan and Tyler helped Elliott learn to ride his bike. I'm sure he will be going like crazy by the end of next week (if it even takes him that long).

I'm probably a little too excited about how easy this is. :) 

Loon Lake

After some convincing from a certain someone, I decided to pack up the boys and join some other military families at Loon Lake (middle of nowhere Montana) for a camping weekend. 

The drive there was amazingly beautiful, and I was able to just free my mind of the real world. The boys were good, considering the amount of time they had already been in the car from our trip to Sheridan. 

After checking in, I let the boys pick the cabin. It was our little home away from home, and it was perfect. 

After packing all our stuff from the car to the cabin, we went for a walk to see the lake. I don't know how to explain it. It was so serene. Elliott looked right at me and said "MOM! I need a boat!"

Almost immediately, the boys picked up rocks and started throwing them into the lake. I really don't know why we have toys and things at home. All we really need is a lake and some rocks. 

Friday night was spent getting to know everyone, and with a motivational speaker. It was really late when we got back to the cabin. I forgot how much I dislike sleeping in a sleeping bag. Haha.

Saturday morning was rainy, but we made do, and had a survival skills class in the lodge. Even Elliott got to make his own survival kit. 

Tyler, the boy scout that he is, was in heaven! He knew a lot of the stuff, but was able to learn some new things too. He was also able to help Ethan out. 

They even got a striker, and got to start their own fires. Rather than fight Elliott, I let him try, and much to my surprise, he caught right on. He was so proud of himself.  

He felt like such a big boy. 

After lunch, Elliott needed to take a rest (and so did I), so we borrowed a portable DVD player (I know, this was far from "roughing it"), and we both took a good nap. 

We woke up to sunshine and warm weather. Everyone was at the lake (and had been for most of the afternoon), so we joined them. Elliott wanted to go out in the boats but wasn't too excited about the life jacket. :) 

I took the boys out on the paddle boat. This was my failed attempt at a self portrait on the boat. 

Luckily, I was able to hand off the camera and we got this. Proof I really was there. :) 

Then everyone (those who wanted) decided to have their own "Polar Bear Plunge". Ethan joined in. He's the one in the red shorts and life jacket at the bottom of the picture.  

Brrrrrrrr! It was cold, but they all played in the water for a little while. Even Tyler jumped in.  

Miss Sara and Tyler took Ethan and Elliott for a canoe ride.  

Then Ethan and 2 other boys his age took the paddle boat out all by themselves. 

After dinner, it was campfire time. We also got to watch them lower the flag and "Taps" was played for us.  

Sunday was our last day. We got to print out some of our pictures, and hang out a little more. The boys were so good for me, and the bigger boys were a huge help. 

It really was a great weekend, and I cannot wait for next year. 

baby shower weekend

I have some catching up to do. Ooops. 

On June 10, the boys and I headed to Sheridan to visit and throw Abby a baby shower. It's been almost a year since we have seen Abby and Chris.*GASP* Elliott wasn't too sure about Uncle Chris at first, but jumped right in the middle when Ethan and Chris started fighting. 

Saturday, we headed to the park. After a week of rain in Helena, it was nice to be able to enjoy the sunshine. 

Elliott really wanted Uncle Chris to get in the fire truck and drive with him. It was SO cute. 

I love these two so much! It's hard to live so far apart, especially with their new baby on the way. 

Later in the evening, we went to visit Chris' family. I saw this guy on the side of the road, and had Ethan ask Chris to get it for him. I don't think Chris can resist Ethan. :) This snapping turtle was big and mad. We let him go after a while, but the boys (and us "adults") liked watching him. 

Isn't their view amazing?!?! 

Chris and the boys played football, shot off some firecrackers, and played with Tucker, the dog. 

Sunday was Abby's baby shower. I spent most of the day there, and Chris was excited to keep the boys for the day (well he was when I asked him to, not sure he feels the same now). This is how they looked at lunch time. Haha. Silly kids. 

I didn't take my camera to the shower, so all I have is this picture from my phone, of the amazing cake Chris' cousin, Jenny, made.  

It was a really long day, but we finished it up with a fire and s'mores.  

Monday, we decided to go up the mountain to see just how much snow was really up there. We heard it was a lot, but we had no idea! We got out to walk over to the side of the road, and Abby stepped out into it. She thought it would be hard pack, but clearly it wasn't. Yes, I am mean and made her stand in it long enough to get a picture.  

Chris is taller than I am, and even reaching up he couldn't touch the top.  

On the way home, we stopped for lunch at Bear Lodge. This place always makes me think of my Granddad.

After we got down the mountain, we let the kids out to play at the park in Dayton.  

Abby and Chris even got in on the fun.  

The river was so high and running super fast, and the whole time they were skipping rocks, I was nervous one of them would fall in. Luckily, they didn't.  

We had a super weekend, and as always, it was too short. 

Now I'm excited for September. That's when the baby will make his appearance. :)