In lieu of...Freezeout Lake Montana

So we are not at Freezeout Lake, MT like I had planned to be.    If you read my post on Thursday night, I was truly stoked at the prospect of being able to see potentially hundreds of thousands of migrating geese and swans.     Part of my new year's resolution this year is to take photos of two places that I have never been before.  I was really really REALLY looking forward to spending Saturday down in Montana with a bunch of snow geese and tundra swans, and I really had hopes of getting an awesome picture as a momento.  

Darn it all though, Nate developed a Fever yesterday, and was acting all sick.    Plus he was madder then heck which is NOT like him.  We knew something was wrong with the poor kid, but I still don't know what.   Teething?   Reaction to immunizations?    Kids are such a mystery, and the only thing I know is they always seem to get sick at the worst time.  At any rate, John  was determined that we not put the kids through a 7+ hour drive if they weren't feeling well.  Thanks a lot Nate!   Killjoy.




This morning I got up early (and still a bit disappointed)  and headed out for a consolation drive to Waterton. 
But first, I had to swing by the temple and get a shot of the sun rising behind it.  I love being awake when everybody else is still asleep.   It is so peaceful. 

And I love watching the sun rise.    It didn't matter that the sun was rising behind me.    That's what mirrors are for. 

There was this one moment, as I approached Waterton, when all of the sudden a Bald EAGLE  flew right in front of the van.    It flew so low and so close that I could clearly see its face.   For a very fleeting moment I tried to watch this eagle, AND reach for my camera (which for some insane reason was not on my lap), AND keep from driving off the road.     It was very VERY cool,  but seeing as there is no picture to prove it - well you'll just have take my word for it. 

Waterton is starting to wake up and come alive after it's winter sleep.  The lower lake is entirely thawed and the ground is, in large part, bare of snow.    I did drive up Cameron road though, and it was interesting to note the presence of winter at the higher altitude.   But if the animals are any indication of spring, then I would say it is almost here to stay. 

The townsite was full of cute little baby deer like this one. 

This picture, I know,  is not amazing as far as scenery goes, but I enjoyed watching the geese as they floated on the water.    There were a couple of dozen geese just "honking" to each other and it was impressive to hear.  I tried to extrapolate that sound by 100,000x  and pretend I was at freezeout lake, but that just made me sad.   If you look along the back hill you will see a herd of Elk.  The pic doesn't show it, but this herd was running towards the townsite.  In fact it was really moving fast, and even with all of the honking from the geese, I could still hear the low rumble of  these stampeding Elk.  

Does it seem as though I am obsessed with my side mirror?   Well I sort of am.  I've noticed that sometimes I watch my side mirrors, and rear view mirrors as much as I watch what is in front of me. 

 

I realize that may be a bit hazardous perhaps, but when you live where I get to live, you almost have to get used to looking all around. 

I rarely go anywhere now without appreciating the fact that, no matter what direction I am headed- I am usually driving both towards AND away from something beautiful at exactly the same time! 

Pretty Lucky.

What are we... 80?

Tonight I attended a gardening class.   I went with a little bit of hesitation as I wasn't sure quite what to expect.   What if I didn't know anyone?  What if I had to sit alone?  (I hate sitting alone!)   What if there were only old people there?   Not that that would be bad.  It's just... I hate not fitting in, you know.  
Well when I got to the class, sure enough, the next youngest person was in fact... about 60.  But I learned a TONNE about "Gardening in Chinook Country".      Within 1 hour I had a visual image of exactly what I want our property to eventually be.  The trouble now is realizing that this will have to develop over the course of a few years.  No one can grow their dream yard over night can they?  

My basic plan consists of adding a bit more to the deck that is in building mode as we speak.  Luckily, John likes the change.    I also plan to focus for the most part on growing native (indigenous) plants to showcase each season.  Of course, I will have to do a bit of research as well to find out which plants attract birds.   And one thing I am excited about is my first attempt at a Water Garden.  (Lily pads, water grass etc)  It looked so cool, and I picture one sitting nicely on the top level of our deck. 

Aside from all of that, we will also have our vegetable garden.  I must say t hough, compared to what we enjoyed over the past few years, our garden here is really quite puny.    But I won't complain.   ....much.

The instructor brought up an interesting point.  She said that you need to consider your outdoor property as an extension of your home.  Another room if you may.   Treating your yard as such will ensure that you create the type of space you and your family will use and enjoy.  I can't wait to get started.


However, our plans to start on our yard this weekend may have just been thwarted, at least for this weekend.  Thanks to John's sister Sarah and her husband Ed we have been imformed of the current migration of hundreds of thousands of snow geese and Tundra Swans.  As I type this they are gathering in droves on Freezeout Lake Montana.  This migration has happened for years, and was even noted by National Geographic in 2000. 

http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/enlarge/freezeout-lake-snow-geese_pod_image.html

Wouldn't that be amazing to see?  And photograph?   We're thinking that a little (ok long) Saturday drive might be in the forecast.  

Look at that.  One night with the "elderly" and suddenly life is all about plants and bird watching.

I LOVE OLD AGE. 

Honestly Speaking

The biggest excitement this week came with the arrival of John's sister Sarah and her two boys.   We don't see them often, so we are always glad when they are willing to make the drive up to Canada.   To say my kids were looking forward to playing with Caleb and Malachi would be a HUGE understatement.  It was a bit like Christmas eve last Sunday night trying to get the kids to go to sleep promising them that they'd get to see the boys the next day.  They could hardly WAIT to see them!   I don't know what the big deal was about Caleb and Mala?   They are hardly any fun at all:)

Ok HONESTLY, they are two of the most imaginative boys ever!     It didn't take much to keep my kids occupied and loving life.  Abby and Sam even skipped a day of school to play.  ....But don't tell anyone;)

On Monday evening Sarah, Luci and I pooled our craft supplies and set to work building leprechan traps with the kids.   Libby, Jax, Caleb, Mala, Abby Sam and Jess ran around the yard, occasionally joining us to dictate how their trap should be put together.    Some of the traps were fairly eleborate.  SARAH!!    Despite the fact that I have NEVER heard of a leprechan actually being caught - I was pretty hopeful that if there ever was a group of kids who could trap one - it was them. 

Darn it though!  Wednesday morning came and we discovered that the elusive leprachan had managed to remain free once again.   All the gold coins were taken too!   Oh he's Tricksy!!   

 I love how certain holidays permit me to be DIShonest with the kids.    It is so easy and FUN to convince them that Santa is responsible for all of their presents at Christmas.  The Easter Bunny leaves them chocolate, Leprachans steal their money, but they get that money back when Tooth Fairies visit them at night.     I've noticed lately that John doesn't really do much of the convincing when it comes to these holiday traditions.  I do all of the work, and He gets to sit back and be the HONEST parent.    One day I will be the one who has to break the news to the kids that nothing I taught them was real. 

I don't mind though.

In fact - I look forward to SNIPE hunting with them!!!

Strangely, Darth Vader played a large role in our home this week as we tried to teach Sam a bit about HONESTY.   Sam latched on to Caleb and Mala's Star Wars Lego that they had brought up with them, specifically to this small Darth Vader piece.   For three nights in a row Sam slept with this little thing clenched tight in his determined little hand.    And determined he was.  I could tell that deep within Sam's cerebrum the gears were turning and he was plotting  and scheming a way to keep this toy for his very own.  We had many preemtive conversations about the importance of "not stealing," as I knew that Sam was considering with each passing hour what would happen when his cousins had to pack up their Lego and leave for home. 

Despite all of my efforts - as I was cleaning up his room, after life had returned to normal, I was disapointed (but not surprised) to find Darth lurking in Sam's bed.  At first I thought Sam had figured out a way to trick us all and retain this toy that he wanted so badly.  However those fears were soon dissolved when I showed Sam what I had found.  He was so confused and ...well frankly OVER JOYED to see Darth,  that I knew it was as much of a suprise to him as it was to me.  It was a very happy moment for Sam, before I made him say good bye to Darth and place him in a Montana bound envelope.    Needless to say it provided the perfect opportunity to extrapolate my earlier lessons that week  into one of Restitution!  Caleb and Mala - Darth is in the mail!!!  :)






A week ago, John with the help of my Brother in law Jeremy, tore down our back deck.  We have recently purchased a new energy efficient furnace, but before it can be installed, we must re - build our deck.     Makes sense right?   I don't know - It has to do with ventilation issues.   I'm pretty sure that John understands it all, and that is what matters.   All I know that our plans to build a new deck NEXT summer has just become our most recent project.    Which is fine- because it did need to be done eventually. 


Besides - it has been a while since John has gotten to destroy/ re-build something. 

HONESTLY I think he has just missed  using all of his tools!

I ventured out almost every day this week to watch the Eagles, but lately it has been  far less productive then previous weeks.    On Monday, two Fish and Wild life offiicers told me that there are a few people that have been shooting the Eagles.  They had descriptions of the vehicles, but little else to go on, and wanted to know if we'd seen anything unusual.   

It made me so mad to think that people would be so wreckless.     It's been fun to watch these birds so much, but they are apparantly a hot commodity, so I find myself hoping they just move on to their next spot, where they will perhaps be safer.   And HONESTLY it would be best if they did move on.  My kids are sick to death of the long drives I make them endure and my house is falling apart from neglect.   

Nate has been a lot of fun this week.  It is hard to believe that he is almost 5 months old!   I've often heard John brag to people that Nathan is definitely the "cutest boy in the world! 

And considering that the male population in the world is a little over 3 billion -  that's saying a LOT!"

So here are a couple shots of

THE

cutest boy in the world!

Have a great Week!

Pies, Sun and ...even more eagles!

Being the wife of a physics teacher has required that I become aquanted with certain dates and time in history that I may not have otherwise cared much about. Take today for example. Not only is it Albert Einstein's birthday, but it is also the fourteenth day of the third month... 3.14, or in other words, PI day. To most, less geeky people, this wouldn't be cause for excitement. For John though, this is reason to celebrate. So (even though "PI day" is today) John had a PI party for his class on Friday, and brought "mini pies?" and cream for all of the kids.   What a way to kick off a weekend, eh!

Luckily,  that wasn't all the excitement in our home this week. Abigail had the assignment of speaking in primary today. She practiced every single evening leading up to it. I was amazed as I watched her read her entire talk all by herself without ANY help. Good job Abby!


I was a little bummed this morning when we all slept through the alarm and woke up late. Turning our clocks ahead really took its toll on us.  However, as I look out the window right now there is still a lot of daylight left and it is already 6:00 pm.  Good.  I could use some more hours in a day!

Seeing as I missed out on my early morning drive, we decided to go out this afternoon and see what we could find. It was a quieter day for eagle watching, but we still managed to see a few, and get a bit closer. Other people are catching on to this too, as we saw a couple of other vehicles inching along the dirt road just like us.

It might be difficult to see, but on one fence post (to the right) you can see a bald eagle. To your left on another fence post you can see another huge bird. We weren't sure if it was a golden eagle or just an immature bald. Any guesses?

I love watching the eagles in flight. Their wings are MASSIVE!

Driving along all these country roads - it is hard not to notice all of the different old barns along the way.  I especially liked this one. 

I really enjoyed our church meetings today.  In fact I think that is one of the things that John and I love about our ward.  The teachers are all amazing!  In Relief Society the sister teaching spoke about the creation of the world.  She brought several stunning pictures of the stars, planets and space and spoke of the intricate and miraculous detail that is all around us in the world. 

One lady made a comment that I really enjoyed.  She said that we experience an "abundance of miracles every single day.  We just need to have the eyes to recognize them."

                                      

The Tender Mercies of the Lord

On that note - have a Happy Sunday and enjoy this talk from Elder Bednar.  A personal favorite!

A good day for Bird Watching

A couple of weeks ago I drove home from Bozeman with my Father in Law after watching John's sister play in a piano recital. The entire six hours drive was spent watching the beautiful Montana scenery whiz by and spotting the Eagles.   Max assured me that it wouldn't be long before the Eagles would be seen here around town as well. Sure enough, I have taken several country drives this past week and have not been disapointed.  Today I took the kids on an "Eagle Hunt" and we spotted well over a dozen easily!  They were everywhere!

Jessica is by far our lover of Birds and all things "natural."  For example, she has taken claim of Cameron Falls and insists on calling it HER waterfall.  When she prays at night, without fail, she prays that she can "go to the Creek tomorrow..."   For Christmas all she asked Santa for was a Golden Eagle.    And she is always the first one in the van when I announce that we were going to go bird watching.

She loves Nature!     

 (Perhaps my Cop Brother will notice that Jessica is not buckled up.  I wonder if he would believe me if I said I didn't think that rule applied on a back country road...driving 15km/hour?)

We could ALWAYS look off in the distance and see some soaring high over a field or small hill.  No doubt in search of gophers to eat. 

Every once in awhile though, one of those birds would fly closer and we'd get a much better view. 

It was neat to watch this particular bald eagle swoop down low, and sit for several minutes.

Obviously enjoying whatever it had caught. 

What usually happened though, is I would be so fixated on watching the side of the road and far off fields, that I would completely miss the Eagle that was right above us.

We did get distracted a few times watching the odd cow or horse, coyote and even an owl.  This deer especially, held the kids interest for quite a while. 

                                             

They enjoyed watching it jump the fence with no effort at all.

But after that, our focus was right back to where it should be -  watching for Eagles.  That is, after all,  why we were wondering so aimlessly out there.

Eagles seem to be very skitterish birds.  Several different times we saw these giant birds fairly close,  perched on a fence post, telephone pole, or in the top of a tree.   Each time it WOULD have made the perfect picture.   Dang things though,  never let me get any closer before taking off. 

See?  Flying away.

And again.  This one was sitting up in it's nest.  Sitting on eggs I bet.

And again with the flying away! 

This eagle was literally sitting on this post right off the side of the road.  As soon as I came remotely close, it flew off to join the others far in the distance. 

Not a single bird was willing to sit still.  Not even for a moment!

                                  

Perhaps they just have better things to do then be bothered by some pesky little human with a camera and four rowdy children.

Not that I blame them.

I love where I live. 

Sunday to Sunday

Last Sunday I got to travel down to Bozeman to watch my sister in law Sarah perform in a piano recital.   John and the kids had to stay home, sadly, as they needed to be at school the next day.  It was just Nate and I who caught a ride with some of my other in-laws.    The ride down was pretty nice.  Nate was content to sit in his car seat and smile away.  I got to read, listen to Conference addresses and TED talks for 6 hours!    I did not play a SINGLE game of I SPY! 


It was a gorgeous day to drive through Montana too!

We arrived in Bozeman right in time for Sarah's recital.  It was fabulous.  One of my favorite things to do is to watch people do what they are good at.   It made me want to work on all of the things I enjoy and have been neglecting.  Sarah is so passionate about the piano and it shows in the way she plays.  She really respects the music.  

It was enjoyable to spend Sunday evening in Bozeman playing games, visiting with John's family (sans John) and cuddling with Nate.    I was so glad that John was willing to let Nate and I go.  He had to take the kids to church that day on his own.  Get them to piano lessons and school the next day, and then get himself to work on time too.  John seemed to handle it all just fine, much to my disapointment. 

I would like to think that their little worlds revolve around me, but spending two days without me for the first time ever didn't seem to phase them one bit. 

C'mon John.  You could have at least pretended to struggle.  They may have done great on their own, but I could not wait to get back to them.  

Abby turned 7 on Thursday.   This year she got THREE parties!  How does that happen?  I still don't really understand how a kid can be so spoiled - but Abby was in Heaven.  

She crashed her cousin Jaxson's birthday dinner by insisting on her own cupcake, candles and song.  The next day she invited her two cousins Ava and Mya over for a fancy party, and then Friday was her friend party.  It was such fun to have Abby's school friends over.  They are cute kids, and I took extra delight in embarrassing Abby any chance I got.  I had to.  It's what makes parenting so enjoyable!   

It has been a delightfully gorgeous weekend here.  Our kids have been running around outside without their coats on for the past couple of days.  We've opened up our windows for the first time this year,and it is so invigorating to smell the fresh air and feel a warm spring breeze float through the house.  Spring is almost here!!!

This became especially apparant to me this morning when I stole away (as I often do on Sunday mornings) for an hour or two of peace and quiet.  AKA: picture taking.   I love Sunday mornings!   I found a gravel road that seemed promising and followed it as far as I could.   It was barely 6:30 in the morning and the sun was just starting to rise. 

Snapped this photo of Chief mountain before heading back home. 

On the way back I stopped and watched a group of bald eagles circulating over a farmer's field.

  For a moment I wished that Jessica was with me as she LOVES eagles. 

 But that lasted a moment, before I was happy again to be alone.

I enjoyed stopping for a moment to watch these birds up on a hill.

  The sun was making it difficult to see, and I can't really tell if they are Canadian geese or Trumpeter Swans but they were making a beautiful sound. 

 

All of this was proof to me that SPRING is definitely on its way!

Happy Sunday!

Lucky number 7

The 4th of March is Abby's Birthday.   I find it hard to believe that she is already 7.    SEVEN! 

 People frequently stop me and tell me to "enjoy this time" in my life, because one day I will wake up and the kids will all be grown.      I am beginning to realize how true that is.   More and more I am experiencing little moments when I look at my kids (specifically this one) and wonder what happened!!   And where has my baby gone?      It is funny how the more kids I have - the more inxperienced I feel as a Mom.  Luckily, Abby is living proof that kids can survive pretty much anything!

 

A few things about the Birthday Girl:

*  She has a real knack for the dramatics.  If you dare ask her a question- you better be ready for her response.  She loves attention, and there are not many circumstances in which she would be shy. This became apparant to me years ago when I watched her (at the age of 2)  walk up to some teenagers who were smoking on a playground and say, "Hey friends.  Wanna play with me?" 

*  Abby is a HUGE help with Nate.  When she gets home from school, she scoops him up and holds him on her lap for as long as I need.  She has recently begun changing his diaper ON HER OWN.  I watch her talk to him and console him the same way I would.    As a result- she is often the recipient of some of Nates biggest and happiest smiles! 

*  Abby can speak FENGLISH.   To those of you who don't know, (as I'm sure very few would), what Fenglish is, let me explain it to you.   Fenglish is a made up language created by her and her cousins Ava, Ella and Mya.  It consists of replacing the first constenant of every word with the letter F.  (Ie: "I Love You" in Fenglish is "FI Fove Fou.")   I recently had to play an entire game of Battleship with her speaking this cursed language. 

*  Abby is the master procrastinator.  She can weasle out of homework after school like nothing else.  This usually results in last minute cramming during breakfast, thus causing me to vow each and every morning that I will never let her put things off ever again.   (Note:  It appears I am the slowest learner ever)

*  Abby has an amazing memory.  She can ramble off old movie lines, poems, songs, and scriptures without having to think twice.  John and Abby often quote movie lines together, and I am left watching them wondering what the heck they are talking about!   It's as bad as being left out of an "inside Joke."

*She's TALL for her age.  In fact I usually beg her a minimum of 50 times a day to STOP GROWING!  She just smiles...rolls her eyes as if she was already eighteen,  and assures me that everybody has to grow up sometime.     Duh!

*  I've been told that Abby treats everybody in her class at school with equal respect.  I can't think of a better compliment then that.  I know that at some point she will be confronted with that dreaded concept of "popularity," and (for the next what ... 40 years or so?) it will have an impact on how she is both treated and how she treats others.  So far though, Abby remains convinced that everyone in her class is equally cool- and I LOVE that. 

* She has a happy personality, and an over the top SILLY sense of humor.  She tells the lamest jokes ever, and laughs hysterically at each and every one of them.  She's her own audience- this kid. 

*  She's one of my Best friends. 

Nope -  I don't mind saying it:

"I Hope she NEVER grows Up!"

Our kids this week

There is nothing - absolutely NOTHING better then a sleeping baby!

I will forever love this picture of Nate.   Ienjoyed a rare moment this week when Sam and Abby were at school and Jess was playing at my sister Jewel's house.   It was just me and Nate. 

He chose to spend our time together sleeping.

I spent that time watching him.

This photo makes me laugh too. 

When Nate was younger we noticed that he had a slight "kink" in his neck. Sure a little bit of it was probably due to him being so young,  and undeveloped still.   But this was more then just an infant's floppy neck.  He really would  favor one side, and he seemed almost bothered when he had to turn it to the left.   After a few visits to our local chiropractor Nate had much more mobility and far less discomfort.  This is one of the stretching excercises we were taught to do with him.  We just hold him like this and let gravity straighten things out.  Every time I see this - I want to be hung upside down to.  Doesn't that look like the best stretch! 

 
 
 
 

This photo does NOT make me happy.

 

  Despite the fact that both kids SEEM to be fine, that is NOT the case.  Nate is unwillingly being held hostage and there is NOTHING that can be done about it.  Jess is one determined little girl and she has recently declared that Nate is HER baby. 

Not good. 

Back before Valentines Day had even come, John and I felt compelled to require a little bit more from our kids.  Specifically when it comes to clearing their plates after a meal.  Usually when we want to see results from our three oldest, we resort to bribery.   It is a tried and tested technique in our home, and it has NEVER failed us.   

In fact Jess STILL insists on clearing her table stuff, and STILL asks every time if "this means she can have a treat on Valentines Day."   Sure kid..  Do this for the next ...oh, eleven months, and I will be more then happy to pay up!

The kids have been playing extremely well together lately.  (They are obviously very bored:)  One day they played "soup kitchen."   It consisted of using every bowl and spoon I would let them use, and serving soup to all the customers.  

 

I got in trouble though when I took this picture. 

Abby looked up and said, "Oh please. No Flash Photography."

I really shouldn't be posting this picture, I know.  It doesn't reallly portray us as the classy bunch I try so hard to make us appear as.  One evening I had my camera out and Sam was obviously hurting for some attention.  

 Ergo - underpants on the head! 

On my sister Jewels fridge there is a quote that says something along these lines,

"If your Child is a hand full,

it is because he is not

often enough an arm full."

So what usually goes through my mind when Sam comes charging out of his room looking like this?

"Here is a kid who needs a HUG."

Very Very badly