WE'RE BACK!!!

"Welcome back to Ohio" is what I was thinking when I stepped off the plane at 10:30 Saturday night to muggy and humid weather. I could see out of the corner of my eye my hair begin to frizz (darn, I had such great hair out west!)--but it felt great to be back and even greater to have the dreaded fly-by-myself-with-three-kids-day over with! We had such a wonderful vacation! We were are very blessed with such wonderful families! So, here is a little of what we've been up to the past month and some of the things I want our family to remember.

Warning: Lots of pictures! I took around 1500 pictures (junked about 500 when I got home) and selected from the remaining 1000 or so! In no particular order...here they are!

Montana

(Part 1 of a Part 2 series!!)

I love this chair!! It's been around as long as I can remember. I found it tucked away in a room that we use to use to sleep in as children when visiting what we so lovingly refer to as the Cabin--I knew I couldn't pass up an opportunity for some great photos! I love the visual texture, and all the little jewels my grandmother added to it! I love the pattern and colors! What a great little chair!!

I asked my grandma the story behind this chair. She told me that years ago she was asked to teach an upholstery class for Relief society. She first went in search for the perfect chair frame which she found at a junk collectors home. She wanted it to be small enough that she would be able to finish the demonstration during the one class. Then she chose this bright fabric--which I love! She chose it because she felt that children could learn much from the pictures and bright colors. Brooklyn clearly is intrigued! She showed the class how to build up the chair and then cover it! What a wonderful chair.

I asked my grandparents if I could lay claim to the chair one day and they told me that they didn't think anyone would fight me for it! I sure hope not! I would love to call it mine!

Welcome to BIG SKY country!!

...and this is why I miss Montana so much!

These buffalo used to belong to my grandparents. A few years after my grandpa died, the ranch was sold, these buffalo moved down the road to some new owners. It made me miss a lot of things as we drove to my grandparents old ranch and home--now gone! It's amazing how a century of physical history can wiped away with a bulldozer. I guess that makes me grateful for photos--like these (and hundreds of others)--and great memories that no one can take away!

A familiar scene as we travelled from Billings to Shelley and back again!

On the way to Shelley from Montana Brooklyn talked, screamed, made animal sounds, laughed and cried for the first 4 1/2 hours! I think we are in for it!! The girl likes to talk! She finally fell asleep for the last hour! Sweet silence....sweet silence!

Red Lodge Montana

Cory's parents were able to come stay at my grandparents cabin in Luther Montana with us over Labor day weekend; and we had a great time. We met them in Red Lodge and we went and got some lunch and took them to my all-time favorite store...the Candy Emporium! There are not sufficient words to describe this place. I've been going there as long as I remember and it's never changed and what sweet memories I have! I took some pictures to give you an idea of what it is like inside. But to truly capture the essence...one must go there! So, here is a tribute to an old friend!

You can buy "today's" candy and old fashioned candy alike. Like Beemans or Clover gum. Does that ring a bell to anyone? Those are a few oldies but goodies! Or the candy hot dogs and hamburgers (ick) but some people like them ;-) They also have great fudge and all the Jelly Belly flavors one could imagine--for all those candy fanatics out there!!

Judy with the boys and their recent purchase!

So much to choose from...We buy candy...not necessarily to consume it all, but because you just can't stop! What a great place! There's always enough to share with everyone!

Carl and Judy--clearly loving it! Go BYU!! That one's for you Carl!

Just like this one for some reason! This was taken at the Pizza parlor we went to eat for lunch!

Sitting on a bench in Red Lodge enjoying our loot!

The Cabin

Briggs eating dinner on a Heathcliff tray. You have no idea how many memories came flooding back when I saw those trays. What a great heritage, and what great memories my grandparents have given us in that Cabin! We enjoyed great food, had fun catching up with my aunt Konni and uncle Tim, my grandparents, and my sister Candace. Gave Cory's parents the grand tour!! We played hide-and-go-seek and sardines (which the boys ate up!!), made smores at the campfire, the boys threw sticks in the fire and rocks in the river, had a hot dog roast and a birthday party, played baseball with Laighton and Katie's boys, made my grandmothers homemade candy, played frisbee with the Davis's dog, and just enjoyed being together!! All that was sandwiched into one great weekend!

Aunt Konni and Uncle Tim

Brooklyn was not a fan of this on her pant leg

Enjoying dinner and conversation

My two water fiends. Brooklyn especially! This is a common sight when she is around!

Grandpa Jones holding Brooklyn

A picture I took of my youngest sister Candace! You look great girl!

Briggs little birthday! At the campfire!

Grandpa Hansen trying to sell napkins--auction style. Briggs got a kick out of that one!

Just plain love it!

Cory's parents: Carl and Judy clearly loving their "Campfire" experience! I think Carl's face says it all. "I'm happy to be here" and I'm sure he said, "go BYU!!"

My parents: Not much to say on that one!! Other than I love that you felt so comfortable making those faces in my camera!! I don't even think I took this picture--it's all a blur!!

At the campfire enjoying ice cream for Briggs "early" birthday! My mom and I made homemade waffle cones.

Me with my Grandpa and Grandma Jones. I had a wonderful opportunity to sit down and talk to my grandma and for her to share stories with me about all her amazing artwork! What an amazing woman, and what a great example of an amazing marriage they have! I'm so blessed to call them mine!!

Blazing hot!! I love the crazy contraptions they come up with!!

Our little Ethanator being real sweet!

Cory and me

My sister-in-law Jackie with her son Baer.

The boys eating dinner. Trevin, Kaelor, and Jaden, Briggs and Ethan. These boys played great together! Wish we lived closer!!

Riverfront Park with Cousins!

During the first week we were in Billings we got together with my cousins Shelly (her 4 kids) and my cousin Laighton and his wife Katie (their 4 boys), my sister-in-law Jackie (her 2 kids) and of course Cory and I and our boys and went on a little hike/walk around Riverfront park (BTW I told them to make silly faces so that is why some of them look so silly! thanks for being great sports!!). Before we went to the park we went to the local bakery where we bought a HUGE bag of old bread that they sell for under a dollar, specifically for birds. The kids enjoyed feeding the massive amount of geese and ducks.

And of course I felt okay feeding the ducks as we passed a sign at the waters edge entrance that read something like "do not feed the ducks as it interferes with their natural migrating." But, hey, their ducks!! And...our kids all needed something to do!! Now that's justification!! I guess you could call me a master at that one!

Briggs did have a little accident though--maybe it was payback for breaking the "do not feed the ducks rule" but he was running with one of the boys, to the waters edge, who playfully pushed him and he fell on the ground...of course there was duck poo everywhere!! He had it all over his arms, hands, back and shorts. Gotta love it!

Miss Jackie and her two boys! Missed you Spence!

Feeding ducks!

Horse Riding Fun

My mom's friend Sue is so wonderful and loved having the kids come ride her horses--and we loved it too!! She even bought popsicles for them so they could have them when they were done riding! They loved Sue and she loved them! We went two times the first week we were there!

So happy together...I feel a song coming on...

Love Love Love these!! Couldn't just pick one!

Sue said that Briggs has a natural stride while on the back of a horse. She said he is a natural!!

To say that Brooklyn loves horses would be an understatement. She is utterly and completely drawn to them. Sure love that little girl!

Grandma Burnett's

One day we went and visited my grandma at her retirement home; which was quite nice. She showed us around the place.

Me and Grandma B!!

I love that Ethan went in her bathroom and sat down and said, "look mom, a chair." And for him...it was!! Love that boy!

Sweet!! Giving goodbye hugs

Ethan's attempt

Ashley and McKay's Wedding

I got to attend my cousin Ashley's wedding! What a beautiful bride! it's official! We are now related to half of billings through marriage! We are so happy for her and McKay!

Me and some of my girlfriends from High School; what a fun little reunion.

Katie, Me, Krista, and Andrea. When I came back from Idaho I spent one more week in Montana while Cory flew back to Ohio. I was able to get together and have a girls night with Andrea and Katie. I had a great time catching up with them. It feels good to know that I'm not the only one with a child that can make me laugh, and cry in the same breath! Feels really good to know I am not alone! Thanks for a great time!!

My cousin Shelly and her husband Ken, of Toledo Ohio, and their 4 little ones!! Kind of funny how we live a few hours from each other and end up seeing each other in Montana--thousands of miles from home!

Jessica (my cousin) and Jordan and son Crew

My cousin Laighton and his family (minus Trevin)

Me with my friend Ashley!! Soo good to see you girl! You look great! She also married a Shelley Idaho boy!

Megan and Emily (cousins). Emily just got engaged and will be getting married in January! Congrats!

Batter Up!!

One of the boys favorite things to do-especially Briggs' favorite-is playing baseball. We played a couple of times. Here are a few pictures from playing in Billings with my parents.

In the dugout. Love this one of Ethan

Love this one too! Our trip was not without owies, tantrums, and drama at times...come to think of it, many times!! Anyway, this was no exception. Ethan had fallen while running. We sure love our little Ethan but he can be a bit clumsy at times. This time proved to be no exception!

I wish I would have taken more pictures with the metal background. It is pretty great! Here is Briggs. Truly a passionate little athlete!!

Random fun...

My dad took us all on a motorcycle ride. The kids had a great time! I think the adults did too!!

Briggs climbing the wall out back!

One of the first evenings in Billings. Roasting marshmallows for smores!

Just swinging on the porch talking. Also playing the didgeridoo! Cory is quite good at it! My dad was getting the hang of it! These are the special times I remember!

All about those knees!! What's not to love?!?!?!

Post-running through the sprinkler!!

Even daddy's still like to run through the sprinkler sometimes!!

A little Brooklyn gem. I looked over to see what she was doing and she was putting all of my mom's tangelo's in her flower pot. Aren't those colors great together?!?!? Just a little thing I wanted to remember!

Though not a great photo, this is what Brooklyn could be found doing quite often. She would stand up on her chair and throw the pool balls on the table. Then when she wanted down, and because she fell so many times trying it on her own, she would scream until we came to her rescue!! If I was in the kitchen I knew by her scream exactly where I'd find her when I went upstairs. Funny girl!

Brooklyn decided to walk the first week we were in Montana but realized it was still faster to crawl. It wasn't until about 3 1/2 weeks later (just a few days before coming home) that she decided she had the walking thing down and she is doing great! She is 14 months now!

The first night in Billings. Ethan opened his birthday present from Grandma Jones to find a big horse blanket. He loved it!! Ethan loves horses just about as much as Brooklyn!

A fun sports box my mom made for all of briggs' sports cards that he opened before we came home. This was an early present since his birthday is next week! To say he loved it it would be an understatement!!

Our last night. The kids all tucked in bed--finally!! The adults were all playing a great game of pinocle then my dad asked if we wanted to do the "Tim Tam Slam." Of course it's chocolate so I'm down for it! My grandma was really confused, asked lots of questions, that wouldn't suffice until we showed her--but she did it! Great times!

The idea is you make Milo (an Australian hot chocolate-kind of bland for my tastes, kind of tastes like baking cocoa--I added a little bit of sugar) and then you take Tim Tam cookies and you bite at either end of the cookie and suck up the milo through the cookie and it just melts in your mouth!! Super yummy!

I rarely have pictures with me or my kids so I had my mom take a few with me and Brooklyn. Here is her giving me kisses! Love those!!! She is such a sweet little girl! Sassy....but sweet!! Wouldn't change a thing!

Me loving my little girl!!

Enjoying our last night with Grandpa and Grandma Jones-the boys had fun climbing the wall in the backyard and playing in the dirt.

Brooklyn was loving the whole smore thing. Don't even think of moving her from her perfect little chair because she'll let you know! She loved eating her graham crackers. She tried a marshmallow or two by putting her tongue on it and then wrinkling her nose like she didn't like it and then saying "ummm!" (like this is yummy!! but then she would put it down and not eat it) Funny girl!

These were taken at the campfire but this is what she would do...

The "I don't know about this" face

Me with my mom! Love you mom!!

Me with my Grandma Burnett. She didn't stay outside too long because she saw a mosquito! She cracks me up! We had a fun time playing pinocle with her and laughing at some of the funny things that she would say and do (like bid higher dad)! I enjoyed spending a few days with her!

I love this picture! A perfect way to end our last night before heading back to Ohio! We had such a wonderful time!!! Thanks Dad and Mom for all the great memories!!