LEGO Masters

Day 46

The kids loved watching the LEGO masters series and it has caused them to be LEGO masters themselves! They are constantly building and rebuilding new LEGO creations everyday and then playing with their creations together. They’d sometimes rather just stay home and play LEGO than have to leave and go for a walk! They were so busy with LEGO today that they didn’t even ask for election time! I’m sure that won’t be the norm, but I love seeing their imaginations grow!

We finished up school packets for the past two weeks so I could take them back to school. I picked up more packets for the next two weeks. No word on if they’re going to open schools or not yet. I’m sure we’ll hear on Monday. 

Gibson Reservoir

Day 45

We found another fun hiking trail near the Bob Marshall wilderness area. It went along the side of the  Gibson Reservoir. We started at the Dam and were hoping to get to the Sun River, but after 3.5 miles we realized we better head back before the kids wouldn’t be able to make it back. It was a very warm day! It got up to 80 degree and the kids were tempted to jump in the water. Near the point where we finally decided to head back we heard some low growling/vibrating in the woods not far from us. We heard it in the same spot on the way back. It was unnerving as it is bear season now and mountain lions frequent the area. I’m just glad that whatever it was stayed where it was and we were able to walk safely by...twice.

I was so impressed with Ryder hiking the six plus miles. That was a lot for his little legs! I know he was so tired by the end, but he kept up with Brad and finished the hike! 

Gardens

Day 44

We’ve been playing hard a lot lately, so today we decided to work hard. Kade and Tenley got caught up on homework this morning and afternoon while Brad and Ryder ran some errands. They checked up on the office and things are still running on schedule! Paint is done and floors are going in. Then they picked up some dirt for our garden boxes. We spent the evening shoveling dirt into a wheelbarrow to roll over to the garden beds and we got it all done tonight. Kade was really good at entertaining Luke and a Ryder while Tenley and I shoveled and Brad dumped the dirt. Kade brought the little basketball hoop out and they had fun trying to make cool shots. They did each take turns shoveling dirt as well. It felt good to work on a project again. Now we need to plant some seeds! The kids are really excited to have a garden.

Sluice Boxes

Day 43

These past few weeks have felt like a stay-cation. We’ve been so busy doing fun things as a family that it’s been hard to keep up on house work. But I’ll have time to do that another week! 😂 

We explored a new trail in the Sluice boxes today. We had no idea that the trail would be so steep and take us near the edge of the cliff for part of the time. Luckily the kids were careful and we had no incidents! It was my favorite hike that we’ve done all month. The canyon the river ran through was beautiful, Tenley found a lot of wildflowers, and we even saw a little waterfall. The weather was great, and we only saw two other people the whole time. I’m feeling pretty lucky that we’ve been able to spend so much time outside. We saw in the news today that people in a Spain have been required to stay at home and can only leave if they need to walk a pet. They are just now allowing people to be outside for one hour per day. Wow! We are lucky to have more freedoms here and so much space to explore the beautiful outdoors.

Nice Neighbors

Day 42

Ryder taught us a lesson on trusting God. He dresses up like King Benjamin to do so and it was awesome. He bore his testimony at the end all by himself. Having our kids teach their own lessons has helped them progress in so many ways. I love seeing their confidence grow and their excitement to teach.

This afternoon our doorbell rang and we opened it to see hearts decorated all over it with cards and treats for all the kids and even our dog! We have such nice friends and neighbors!

New Hikes

Day 41

I ran some errands this morning and it seemed pretty busy at the grocery store! The shelves are much better stocked than they have been in the past, but there are still plenty of things missing.  There is now plenty of toilet paper but still no flour or pasta. Prett crazy.

This afternoon we went on a short hike over by Ryan Dam. It was beautiful. I can’t believe we hadn’t done it before. We have a lot of fun outdoor things to do that are so close by. I’m glad we’ve had this opportunity to explore our own city more. Kade wanted to try toting Luke in his back and he lasted a half mile or so. He’s a tough guy! We had fun getting the kids out of the house.

The River Trail

Day 40

I love Friday! The kids aren’t as required to get as much school work done so we have more free time to play. This morning we went on another bike ride. The weather was beautiful! We had a fun ride. 

Ryder and I spent some time jumping in the tramp together this afternoon while Luke napped. He talked me into doing a flip which I somewhat nailed. It’s been a while since I’ve done a flip! Haha. He kept showing me tricks to replicate which was a lot of fun. 

Brad also grilled for us tonight and we had watermelon with our dinner. It’s definitely feeling like summertime! But since we live in Montana it could snow again in a few weeks for all we know! 😂 

Spring Weather

Day 39

I’ve been loving this warmer weather we’ve been having so much so that our menu is including my favorite summer time meals. Tonight we had shredded bbq chicken sandwiches with a pasta salad and tomorrow we’re going to grill. 

Another great thing about this weather is being able to go on afternoon walks with my kids. We’re all happier when we’re outside. After our walk, Luke and I stayed out a little bit longer to play in the tramp.

After dinner, Kade and Ryder talked Brad into playing Mario Kart with them. They had so much fun and Tenley sat and rolled her eyes. Haha. She really doesn’t like video games! Next time she and I are going to do something fun while the boys play.

On Sunday the stay at home order that we’ve had for the past four weeks will be lifted a little bit. They’re going to try and slowly open things back up as we try to return to a new normal. This will be phase one of three different phases. Restaurants will be open but only at 50% capacity. Schools could open if they choose but they’d have to follow several new precautions. I think it would be hard to get elementary kids to social distance. We’ll see what their final decision is. 

Ryder’s Muscles

Day 38

We stayed home today to catch up on chores and homework. Brad got the sprinklers up and running again. I love springtime and taking care of the yard!

Ryder helped me make dinner. He wanted to cut up the chicken and vegetables but since I’m not ready to let him do things like that with a knife I handed him a can opener and asked him to open a can. He surprised me and got it open all by himself! I was pretty impressed.

Picnic Dinners

Day 37

We had another party day today with the kids. It almost feels like we’re on a vacation! We went for a bike ride along the river in the morning. It’s been a while and I loved being back in the bike path. Not to mention how much I love this over 60 degree and sunny weather! That may be adding to why it feels like a vacation.

We came home and Luke got a nap in while the kids tried to catch up on some school work. Then we went and had a picnic dinner by a little pond so the kids could fish some more. Brad brought his kayak this time so they could all fish from there in the middle of the lake. They all enjoyed the ride but no one caught a fish today. It was frustrating to Brad, but the kids didn’t care much. They just love being outside. Ryder says that his favorite part of fishing is casting, which he does over and over again. Haha

Quarantine Camping

Day 36

The weather is warming up over here for a few days and the kids really wanted us to take them camping. But all the overnight camping places are cold due to the virus. So instead we tried to do all the things we normally due camping instead. We took the kids to Holter Lake and fished all day. We didn’t end up catching any fish, but we still had so much fun enjoying the sun. Luke loved throwing rocks into the lake. We had to hike straight up and down a hill to get to a beach but it was worth it once we got there and plenty far away from other people. The lake is beautiful!

After getting home and having dinner we made s’mores and ate them outside on the trampoline but the kids were freezing after their showers so they decided to camp out inside in Kade’s room. He read a ‘spooky’ story and then they went to sleep. Kade called it quarantine camping but they all seemed to love the fun day still.