the weekend

I know I've said it, but we are so fortunate in the friends we have found in Helena. 

Friday, I got an invitation to join a group of friends at the lake. Boating, food, and fun, bring the kids. :) YAY! I had a million things I should have been doing, but there was no way I could resist. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time.

Ethan was disappointed that it was his idea to get buried in the sand, and Elliott couldn't get him covered, so he had to bury Elliott instead. He's a good big brother. 

The water is much colder than Grandma and Papa's pool. Haha. 

Then, by chance, a friend from Billings was at the same lake! She brought over the jet ski and took Ethan for a ride. She even let him drive. He loved every second. 

When we got home, I had mail. There is no feeling in the world like getting mail. Actual, physical mail, from someone you love. 

Then, when I opened it, and found this hand written note from someone I have never even met. What a great company! 

Atta Girl Gifts are something I learned about in Kentucky. I told Jason, and clearly he liked the idea too. How cute are these boxes? Each charm has it's own. 

Each charm also represents an accomplishment as a military spouse (mother, volunteer, etc).

This charm is because Jason is part of the Army Aviation. The rest of the card says why being part of Aviation is an accomplishment. 

The Deployment Atta Girl Award says, "In recognition of heroic duty on the home front, including but not limited to: For all the care packages, cards and letters filled with your love. For learning to say "I love you" at the beginning of a phone call just in case you get cut off. For being underfunded and seriously undermanned. The convoys to mom's, then mom-in-law's, then sister Susie's, then friend's in Florida and cousin's in Ohio. For fixing the dishwasher, unplugging the toilet, changing the oil, mowing the yard, taking care of the kids and still feeling like a woman. Because you have email and phone calls, but you don't have him. The courage and strength it takes to continue your life not tied to that computer, phone, mailbox or television. For this and so much more, we honor you."  

Then the Iraq Campaign Atta Girl. They are all so pretty. 

He also picked out a small charm with a star American Flag on it. 

I think everyone who has sacrificed should have one (or two).

Sunday, we got another invite from our friends from Missoula. They were visiting Helena, and wanted to go to the go carts. Again, I'm in! It was a blast. 

Ethan is the car on the left. 

Elliott and I won. We lapped Ethan twice!  

Then the big boys went down the big slide. 

After playing far too many video games, and spending hundreds of tickets on shitty prizes, we went to their hotel for some swimming. It was a perfect Sunday. 

Monday morning started hockey camp. This is Ethan's first year, and I was a little worried. I don't know why. Of course he is having a blast, the coaches are awesome, and he is excited to go back every day. 

In the afternoon, they do some training outside. Why do boys feel the need to take off their shirts when they are outside? It makes me laugh to see him with his shirt off at 7 because he wants to be like the big kids, and the big kids who think they have something to show off. LOL 

This is Ethan today, in the light blue shorts. He's got some fancy footwork (I'm sure he'd kill me if he knew I said that).  

I think I am all caught up on here finally. Whew. More to come from hockey camp soon.