Who's the Only One Here Who Knows Illegal Ninja Moves From the Government?

The Young Women's President was sick tonight and the other couselor went into labor while we were at our activity tonight, so the secretary took her to the store to stock up in case she's REALLY in labor. That left me and the Young Mens Leaders (Happy Birthday Harry).

One of my Beehives (Hi, Lisa!) brought me the Napoleon Dynamite soundtrack to "borrow" (read: download). It's hilarious.

Overheard just now:

Rich: Addie, what are you doing?!

Addie: (shrugging and sighing in exasperation) I'm just being naughty, dad.

At least she's honest. We value integrity in this family.

In Honor of Abe, George, and Ronnie

As mentioned previously, we had company over the long weekend. The fun started Friday when Matt and Amie arrived with Baby Jake from Helena around noon. We hung out all afternoon waiting for Cousin Brent to arrive from Utah--Matt and Rich unloaded our sheet rock at the house while Amie and I let the kiddies nap at home. Then at 5pm, still no Brent, we went to Fiesta en Jalisco (our local yummy Mexican restaurant) for dinner. Brent caught up with us there, and afterward, we went to have a drywalling lesson from Rich. He showed us how it's done and we got the whole guest room ceiling hung (of course, it's not that hard with 4 x 12' sheet rock). We went home and got to bed so we could get up early and work hard.

Saturday we ate breakfast at mom Melin's, then worked from 10am-1pm at Dave Young's house putting up siding. Amie's sister, Jenn, joined us at about noon. After that, we started hanging drywall at our house and we girls realized that we were "extra" (there are only 2 makeshift jacks to stand on and two screw guns--with Rich, Brent, Matt, and the missionaries, there was nothing for us to do) so we went and picked up the kids and got lunch ready. Everyone ate lunch and the boys went back to work while we cleaned up and put the babies down to nap.

At 5pm, we all drove out to check out the Melin ranch and go swimming at Chico Hot Springs. Heidi and Jake LOVED the warm water and we all enjoyed melting our aches and pains away. We ate salads and pizza for dinner at the grill at Chico, then went home to watch The Notebook at Melin's (aside: I really liked that movie and I didn't think I would--I mostly love the end).

In the wee hours of Sunday morning, the evil bug went to work and I got really sick by 5 am. Everybody went to church but I stayed home. In my little moments of strength I set the table and got lunch ready (Costco Lasagna and Parisienne Salad), then went back to bed. Rich came home at noon and told me everyone had left because they didn't want my germs, which made me cry (especially when I saw all the stuff they left behind), but Cousin Brent was still here and he and Rich ate some lunch and we all had a nice nap (for a change).

At about 5pm we got up and played with the girls--I was starting to feel better. Brent had to pack up and return home--his big cowboy rental truck was due back in Utah at 8am, and Rich wanted to take me to see what they had done on the house. So we said good bye to Brent (Addie whined for him--"I want my friend Uncle Brenty to come back"--he is THE BEST with kids) and I admired my almost-finished upstairs ceiling. I also made Rich take the mug they gave me at the hospital when I had Heidi and ask the nurses to refill it with soft ice so I could rehydrate. He took it into the hospital and they obliged--afterall, we probably paid $50 for it--it should come with some refills. The ice made me feel better and I had some toast before bed. I am still recovering, but it was still a wonderful weekend and we thank everyone for their help.

PS: Happy 55th Birthday, Dad Post! Sorry your card is late!

This is how the foundation of our house looked at the end of May---9 months ago, we had a hole in the ground!  

The last time Brent and Matt visited the Melin ranch was last May, too--it was pretty and green then! This photo shows Brent with Melanie and Liam and my other brother, Willy, skipping stones on the Yellowstone River. 

Last time Matt and Brent were together at our new house was Last May. It was just a basement full of gravel, not even a house! 

Heidi has quite the reportoire of silly faces these days (as well as screams and yells for her screeching matches with Addie). Here is one of our favorite silly faces--she only does this when she is really wired and crazy--it cracks us up. If you look really close on the right, you can see her top teeth trying to get through. 

We had such a fun weekend, we took the camera everywhere but forgot to take pictures! Here is the one photo I have of Cousin Brent at my house. This is at our lunch on Saturday--the boys took a break from drywalling and came home for stew and fresh bread. Here Brent and Addie are entertaining Heidi while she waits for her lunch. We love Brenty Bobbins! 

Free Mojtaba and Arash

Writng this blog is a freedom of expression I have obviously taken for granted. Read what Jessica and the committee have to say about Iranian bloggers imprisoned for writing about their worlds (and be grateful for our freedom of speech).

Steamrolled

I am recovering today from a gastrointestinal bug that wreaked havoc on my guts all day Sunday. I feel wobbly and headachey today. We had a fun weekend with Cousin Brent, Matt, Amie, Jake and Amie's cute sister, Jenn. Details to come when my head stops throbbing.

Auntie Polka Dots

Me: Addie, quick--you have to get dressed! Uncle Matt and Aunt Amie are on the way!

Addie: [GASP!] My Unco Matt and...is it my Amy with the polka dots on her?

Me: Yep!

[polka dots = freckles]

Hilarious.

Valentines Surprises

On Valentines morning, Rich woke up all of us girls with valentines surprises. I got the flowers and chocolate, Addie got a bear, and Heidi got a puppy. I thought these picutres of them were priceless.