Missionaries

 We got to have six missionaries over for dinner tonight and I loved it. They are my favorite. They’re so happy,  genuine, humble and kind and we’re grateful to have them serving here. I love the example they are to my kids and the wonderful spiritual messages they leave with us. It felt like summer today so we grilled chicken for chicken burgers and made homemade ice cream. It was so yummy!

Luke got a puzzle at piano lessons today for being a super reader! He and I did it together once and then he put it together on his own three times after that. He loves puzzles.

Co op Friends

 Today was our last day of co op for this school year. It’s crazy how fast this year went by. We’ve had so much fun with our friends and have loved this year. I had the best team teachers in Physics and I will miss them! 

After classes we had a huge pizza party and glow in the dark dance party to celebrate. The original plan was to play at the park but it rained and snowed this morning so we went with plan B and had a blast! 

We’re all so grateful for this amazing group of people we get to be with. We can’t wait for next year!

Flag Football

 We got to watch Luke play flag football tonight. He loves it and he had a lot of fun. He did a great job on defense. He almost had an interception but he did pull a lot of flags.

It was Ryder’s night tonight and he wanted to watch Lord of the Rings. I’m not so sure that Luke and Ryder are ready for these movies but the story is so good. They are into it and are loving it!

Sports

 Our last weekend of driving to two different cities for sports went well again thankfully. The boys all headed to Polson with a couple of Kade’s friends. They had to leave at 6 am but they enjoyed a beautiful drive and a beautiful venue near Flathead Lake. Kade had exciting games. The first game was very competitive. It was 2-2 and Kade was in goal and the other team shot on him with 5 seconds left but he saved it! The second game was not as competitive at all so the coach had Kade play in the field and he scored a goal! He’s number 3 in the picture below. They won that game 8-2.

Tenley and I headed to Billings for the Big Sky Volleyfest. She didn’t have to be there until 1 so we got to sleep a little longer than the boys! Her team was placed in a higher division and although they competed hard the didn’t win any sets. It was sad. But the girls still had smiles on their faces and enjoyed their time playing together. They’ve made such good friendships and it’s been so much fun to see! 

The team plays again tomorrow but Tenley and I headed home for church. It was a really late drive and we didn’t make it home until 12:30. But luckily we made it home safe and sound! 

My Dad, Yard Work, Kade’s Dates

It was my Dad’s birthday today and his last day of work! Luckily my brother lives near and was able to celebrate his retirement and birthday with him! I’m so excited for him to enjoy this next fun phase of life. He worked so hard for so many years. He’s the best Dad and he deserves this!

 It was a beautiful day today so we were able to get a lot of yard work done. I cleaned out the garden beds and the kids and Brad dig holes for the sprinklers. It was hard work but it felt good to get it all accomplished! Brad planted seed in the dirt surrounding our new patio so hopefully soon we’ll start seeing grass grow there. 

Kade went on a fun date with friends tonight. They picked crazy ingredients out at the grocery store and then went to a friends house to make dinner with it. Then they played a lot of games. He has such fun friends.

Co op Showcase

 We celebrated the end of the year of co op tonight! It was a fun celebration down at the church. We got to see all the kids’ projects, hear some of them sing, and eat dinner together. We have such a great group of families! The kids had such a great year.

This morning was so nice that the boys decided to do school outside. I love our patio!

Acts of Service, Walks

 Luke was sad this afternoon and Tenley went out to the tramp where he was pouting and cheered him up. Afterwards Luke came back in the house and went straight downstairs to make Tenley a bracelet out of pipe cleaner. It was so sweet to see the two of them serve each other.

We were able to get out for a walk after dinner. My favorite thing ever!

Travel Volleyball

 It’s Tenley’s last week of travel volleyball but the team is making the most of it. They had practice last night and a party tonight! She’s had so much fun with her friends and it will be a fun time this weekend in Billings!

Kade’s Choir

We got to go to a special choir concert for Kade tonight. It was in a nice church and their voices sounded beautiful. Last week he tried out for the highest choir at his high school and made it! He lives being apart of choir and I love going to his concerts.

Also, the sun was shining bright today so Luke came for a walk with me! 

Days with My Kids

 Travel sports split our family up again today. Brad and Kade headed to Kalispell for soccer. They had warmer weather there than we had here. Kade loved playing and they won both of their games. They’ve been having a great season!

Tenley and I headed to Helena for volleyball with Ryder and Luke. It was cold but the boys and I still got to play some football on the fancy turf field in between watching Tenley play. Ryder made a field goal! That was fun to see. He tried several times and was really excited to see his kick finally go through the uprights. Tenley’s team played pretty well. Tenley always does great and she’s so much fun to watch! But the team lost in the first round of the gold bracket. But that did mean we were able to head home earlier than normal! We went out to dinner together, cleaned Brad’s office, and started a movie together tonight. I love hanging out with my kids!

Branding Part 2

 It is still freezing! I keep checking the weather to see if there are warm days ahead and luckily there is warm, sunny weather in the forecast! Brad, Kade, and Tenley went out to help with branding again at the Giles ranch. They had a good time! Ryder, Luke and I stayed back this time and got a good deep cleaning done on the house. I think my older kids wish we were ranchers!

Tenley’s Help

 It turned so cold again. We woke up to frost in the house and snow on the distant mountains. And more wind… I think I hate being cold. But we are lucky to have a warm house and warm clothes. 

The boys got to run some errands with me this morning. We took Ryder to the orthodontist and then we went to get the car tires rotated. We made it home before Tenley had even woken up! I’m always amazed by how long she can sleep. She was so helpful with the boys when she was awake though. She helped Ryder with his math and piano while I helped Luke. And she was so patient. I was so thankful for her help. 

Luke had a football game tonight in the frigid weather. I’m seriously wondering if spring sports are worth participating in here in Montana! But he played his heart out and had fun!

Gifts from My Boys

 Ryder and Luke had activity days tonight. This is the one year they get to do it together because Ryder will be in young men’s next year. They love going and they have some great leaders! Tonight they painted flower pots for me for Mother’s Day and even planted flowers in them! I love my gift and the thought they both put into it!

Dogs

 I had always considered myself a dog lover before becoming a parent. We had an Alaskan malamute named Kodiak growing up and I loved him. I’d take him on runs with me a lot. He was a good dog. But lately the dogs we do have are stressing me out. They bark, they stink, they ruin my house with all their hair, and they need a lot of attention! I have five human beings also in need of my attention so adding two dogs to the mix is a lot!

But then Luke and I went on a walk tonight and he tied Ozzy to his scooter and was giggling and laughing the whole time! He had so much fun with Ozzy. Our dogs really do make our kids happy. So today, I’m a dog lover again.

70 Degrees

 It was the most beautiful day today! I enjoyed being outside as much as I possibly could. I’m just realizing that when we have some furniture on our new patio we’ll be able to have school out there! That will be a dream. I love being outside when the weather is nice. I took Keena for a walk, watched Luke’s football practice, and cheered on Ryder at his football game. We should get another day like this tomorrow and then the weather will probably turn cold again. We’ll enjoy it as much as we can!

The Backyard

 We’ve been enjoying our pergola in the backyard even though it isn’t fully finished yet and we have yet to buy furniture for it. The boys played football on it before church and all the kids played outside tonight as the sun was setting. I can’t wait to make a lot of memories in the backyard! 

Safe Travels

 Tenley and I left this morning at 5:15 am to make it to Butte for her first volleyball game of the tournament and Brad and all the boys left at 5:40 to get to Billings for Kade soccer games. We both got home after 9 pm! Such crazy long days but I’m so glad that we all traveled safely!

Tenley has a bad cold but she powered through and played the best she could. She and her team made it all the way to the gold bracket but then last two round in. I had fun hanging out with Tenley and walking around the track at the school. It was beautiful weather today!

Kades games went great and they won both! Ryder and Luke were good and got to play a lot of football. 

Luke’s Trailmix

 Brad and Kade were supposed to go fishing on the Missouri today but it was a snowy and cold day so they had to postpone their fun adventure. They’ll hopefully be able to go in a few weeks if the weather cooperates! 

We enjoyed family time instead, cleaning the office and getting yummy sodas at the soda shop. Kade and Tenley got to go to the Temple with the ward tonight so the rest of us had a pizza movie night at home. The boys even popped popcorn. It was a fun party! And then we got to bed as early as possible because we all have really early mornings tomorrow traveling all over Montana for sports! The boys got all of their snacks and meals packed for tomorrow and Luke came up with an interesting trail mix; pretzels, goldfish, cheeze it’s, and chocolate chips! Haha

Movies and Flag Football

 Thursdays are the best! And today was really good. It was so quiet and peaceful while the kids worked on school today. I love it when it’s like that. I think they were so focused because they knew that when we were done we would get to go to the movies. Motivation is always helpful. 

We all went to see Project Hail Mary this afternoon when Brad and Kade got home. It was such a good movie! I’m glad we went to see it at the theater. But it was really disappointing to get there and find out that the popcorn machine wasn’t working! But the kids still got a soda at least.

After the movie we headed to the football field for Luke’s first game of the season. It was freezing! But he played hard and couldn’t wait to get home to warm up. Ryder’s game was a few hours after that so it was even colder! It was below freezing with light snow falling. Montana spring weather is so unpredictable. But he played hard at well! I hope it’s sunny at their next game!

Clean Teeth

 Ryder, Luke and I had dental appointments really early this morning! The boys did a great job sitting still for their cleanings. And they felt pretty special to be able to leave with a new toothbrush and a toy! Haha. They only ever get a toy after an appointment so it means something to them. The little boys always make me smile!

Patio Progress

 I have been wanting a pergola in our backyard for a really long time and we finally decided that now was the time. I love the company we chose. They do such amazing work! They started over the weekend and they’ve already made so much progress. It looks so good and I’m so excited to use it this summer!