My Brothers Visit

My brothers, Josh & Jon came to visit us for almost two weeks. It was neat to be able to spend some time with them. We did several things, but unfortunately I misplaced my camera several days. This is what I did get documented!

We took them out to the ranch one day so they could experience the "big sky" and fresh air.

Josh got to open a gate...and get caught on some barbed wire. Morgan loves spending time on the tractor with grandpa.

Okay, both girls like to be on the tractor!

Jeffrey tests my patience daily. While this is not the best picture of him, it is one of his many faces. This one I will call the shrek face - lol.

Josh learned to ride the motorcycle and shot some clay pigeons - actually caught the edge of one.

Jon tried the shot gun as well. He decided it was too heavy and too loud. He said his favorite part of the visit was riding the 4-wheelers.

That is Jarrett's favorite part too.

Meredith even got to try a solo run this time. She did awesome and mommy held her breathe the whole time.

The whole gang. Our family, Josh and Jon, and Mikalah's friend Malia.

We also checked on the cows. It is calving season and there were lots of babies - this one was less than six hours old!

I have so much sympathy for this momma!!!

And we checked on the horses.

And fixed a tractor.

And played with the dogs. I think Morgan would love to live out here!

A day of fun!!!

So, missing my camera for a few days, we skip ahead to Easter.

Josh helped filled eggs for the great hunt.

Jarrett's goofy look.

This girly just doesn't take bad pictures.

Dying eggs is such a fun tradition. And thankfully our kids like eating the hard boiled eggs, cuz neither Mike nor I can stand them!! Jon said he didn't remember ever dying eggs. So he dyed one - I couldn't talk him into any more. Must not have been that much fun for a 22 year old!

My girls...I love them all...

And then I lost my camera again. I think it needs a permanent home!

Spring Break?

Even though Spring Break was over three days ago, I am determined to blog briefly about it! I have fought blogger on getting these pictures up, although now blogger is doing just fine. Must have been a busy weekend!

So my whining about Spring Break not being in the Spring is really pointless, but can I just say, "IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE!"

There, now I feel better.

We planned some fun activities over Spring Break, something each day.

Monday, Mike took the big kids to the ranch for pregnancy testing. Really, it was for 4-wheeling, but I guess they needed it to sound like they were doing work too. I stayed home with the youngest three since Meredith and Morgan were both running fevers. that made #6 & #7 down with strep. Mikalah was our only hold-out and quite proud of it.

Tuesday I spent at Jill's, painting. and just to show that I'm okay with embarrassing photos, here is one Jill took of me painting. Really I just want to make sure Jill doesn't beat me to it. Now Jill really is a good photographer, but my critique of this one would not be nice!

The rest of the week was spent with a household full of friends which may sound crazy, but I love that my kiddos disappear and play with their friends all day. It was kind of like having only Morgan and sometimes Jeffrey!

We topped off the week with a Daddy-Daughter day. Saturday started with Mike & Morgan making breakfast. And yes, it was warm enough for shorts! Sorry to those of you that found yourselves stuck in snow that day!

Then in the evening, Mike and Mikalah went to a Daddy-Daughter dance. It was so much fun to get ready for, and Mikalah was very excited. Meredith was not so and so this weekend Daddy is spending some special time with her!

She is really getting too big!

And because there were embarrassing photos of me, I thought Mike deserved similar attention!
Now we are half-way into the next week on a crazy roller-coaster ride!

Trying to remember it's all fun!

2007 Honor Choir Christmas Concert

Last night was Mikalah's Girl's Honor Choir Christmas Concert. She did such a beautiful job. And she looked beautiful. They were to be in place at 6:45. The first 45 girls were given electric candles that they used for one song. Mikalah wanted to be there at 5:00! We compromised and arrived at 6:15. She was still one of the first girls there.

One of her good friends, Emily, is also in Honor Choir. We were able to sit with Emily's family. We were not able to visit, because I have two small children that need constant attention. Especially since the concert was at bedtime! Even though both Morgan and Jeffrey had really good naps yesterday, they were both ready for bed at 7:30 - concert time. Morgan made it through the first three songs. Jeffrey past "halftime".

In the end, it was a beautiful concert and we are so proud of Mikalah. However, for the Spring concert, I think we'll get a babysitter and just Mike and I go!


Emily and Mikalah. They are both growing into beautiful young ladies!

HSM2

I live in a household that had been on the countdown for the much anticipated High School Musical 2. As a Grease-loving person myself, I did so love High School Musical. I was (still am) that nerdy girl that dreamed of dating the popular jock (what I got was so much better!) But like most sequels, I was sceptical for HSM2. While only seeing it once now, I still like the first one better. However, it should be noted that I did enjoy the movie; the life messages; and the "romance". And not to disappoint, I did cry - twice. But I cried at Cars, Monsters, and Ratatouille. (who am I kidding - I cry at almost every movie!) And the music in #2 - Michael Jackson would be proud. Carrie and I laughed - hard...but it was definitely a fun movie!

The one that was most anticipating the premiere was Mikalah. She can sing the songs, dance the dances, and cheer the cheers. She had a friend spend the night, concocted a new snack, and stayed up late to watch! Then today she went to the Montana Fair as a performer. She and a couple of friends sang and danced on the "Free Stage". They performed a few HSM songs! Mike and Carrie took the kids while Morgan stayed home with me icing and resting my infamous toe. This would be the toe that was starting to feel better, but I slammed up into a chair leg this morning. That does NOT feel good. So the house was quiet, I did six loads of laundry, I finished the program for church tomorrow, and addressed 650 advertisements for and event next week. Not that I want to hurt my foot again, but I have accomplished a lot just sitting. And my performing daughter did a great job.

I'll leave you with some video of Mikalah's performance and go finish baths and HSM2 for the second time!