Lilacs!

After a little nap this afternoon, Rich took Addie and went to take pictures of spring around the valley. I waited here for Heidi to wake up, and then we took a walk down our street and picked a few lilacs. They smell so good!!! I can't wait to grow some of our own!Heidi showing off her flowers (and diaper--oops!)
Oops! I shot this into the sun, but the shadow is still cute!
Here's Heidi smelling her flowers.

Achoo!

We have had a pretty sneezy/coughy week here. It's hard to tell if it's allergies or a cold, but the whole family has had it and we have all 3 humidifiers going, too. It has beena nice week, but busy, so no time for musing here on the blog (or even thinking straight, really). Rich just left for Helena AGAIN--hopefully this time there will really be an insurance conference! We will miss him, but I am feeling better physically and emotionally than last week! Today Addie & Heidi wore special dresses to church. Heidi's dress is from Gramma Jo Hite--she actually bought it for Addie when Addie was 2, but it was already too small for her (even though it's a 3T). Addie got to wear her favorite "play dress," which Nana made for her.
It was hard to get these little sillies to look at us at the same time...
...or smile at the same time!

Hello, Summer

Well, this week our temperatures jumped from barely-60-degrees to well-into-the 80's. In fact, it looks like we set a record high yesterday because the record book says 84 and it was 86 in Livingston yesterday. That's usually as hot as it ever gets around here, so needless to say, my water babies were excited to break out the pool on Monday (there have been years where we only had a few days here and there that were warm enough to swim). We've pretty much been outside ever since! (The fence is not complete closed in yet--there are a couple of sections without pickets, which means I still have to police the yard vigilantly, especially since NOTHING keeps Heidi from eating dirt or getting in the water).
The girls got out to get dry for lunch the other day, and this is what they looked like. Addie tells me they were "playing dolphins." They crack me up!

Phew!

Elliott is finally going home, by only 2 tenths of 1 percent! Which, out of 50 million is like 150K, but still, I like to think my redialing for Katharine helped. Now I kinda don't care who wins cuz life is good for both Taylor and Kat...besides, poor Taylor would probably much rather be playing wiht his band than going on that dumb "Idols Live" tour.

Only one more week of my yammering on and on about Idols! ;)

oops

I forgot to tell you that Rich came home Monday morning because he got the dates for the conference mixed up. So he has to go BACK to Great Falls next week, but we are going to go with him as far as Helena and visit Matt , Amie, Jake, & Sam. Poor Rich drove about 4 hours Monday for nothing! (I was relieved, though--I would never make it as a single mom--I was having anxiety attacks at 4 am Monday).

I don't have much to write about because I am really super tired lately and can hardly form a complete sentence. I had a check up to day and still haven't gained any weight. Baby sounds and measures good and my BP is down to 130/80. I am DAWG TARD, though. I really enjoyed Taylor on American Idol tonight, but I fast-forwarded a lot of the show cuz I was too tired to suffer through all of Elliott's songs.

I had some funny kids' stories for you, but I'll have to jot them down and get back to you--Heidi and Addie are hilarious, though. I fear for the new baby sometimes. ;)

More later...

On This Date in History...

My super cutie cousin, Larkin, was born--May 16, 1985. He lived across the street from me while I was in high school and I used to take him every where with me. He loved my high school boyfriend Robert and called him Rabbit. He was the cutest little boy, and he;s a pretty cute big boy, too. Click on his link over to the right and wish him a happy 21st... ...Happy Birthday, Yarkin!!!...
We love and miss you! (these pix are form Sam's wedding in December)

Lovely Day

I had a nice, mellow Mother's Day. We are all a little under the weather--colds? Allergies?--so we took it easy. We are also a little broke, so Rich and the girls made my gifts this year (besides the awesome 20-tray dehydrator I got as an early gift from Rich off ebay). Rich made me wood planters for my deck off the dining room so I can keep my herb garden there with easy kitchen access. He also set up our composter, so we are ready to eat good this summer and fall!!!

We went to church )where Addie got up front with the Primary kids and sang to me) and had lunch with Rich's parents and Grandma Vivian, then just took naps. Rich is heading to Helena & Great Falls tonight for an insurance conference that lasts until Wednesday. BUMMER! I will miss him!!! I have to go say good bye to him now, but go read what I posted on my other blog! Hope your day was great, and have a good week!

Happy Mothers Day...

Mom & Me, 2001
Nana with my girls, 2004

...to my mom and all the other moms and grandma's in my life! Thanks for all that you do for me, my kids, and your own kids. Mamas make the world go round!

Flabbergasted

CAUTION: This post contains NOTHING of significance AND an American Idol spoiler...

Um...I am kind of embarassed how much a TELEVISION show is affecting my mood, but I am really truly shocked that Chris got voted off American Idol tonight. He and Kat were my top 2! Even Simon chose Chris as a top2. I feel a little sick, actually. Seriously...HOW DID ELLIOT BEAT HIM!?? I really thought it was some kind of joke. Maybe he'll be the guy the gets a second chance this season cuz there is NO WAY that Elliot is a bigger pop star than Chris. Whatever.

Happy Sabbath

Our Fence from the Back: Admire Rich's handy work--he did most of the pickets yesterday, and now we just have to build the gates to keep the kiddies corraled.
Look how awesome our tulips are looking! I can't wait to plant even more this fall! The girls posed after church, but Heidi wouldn't sit still (as usual).
Addie is especially proud of the tulips because she remembers helping to plant the bulbs.
Heidi's a punk, but she's awful cute!

We had a nice weekend and got lots done. I updated my personal history blog, so I urge you, especially family, to go have a look and a laugh. Enjoy what's left of your Sunday and have a good week!

Cinco de Mayo

We had tortilla soup for dinner tonight, but that was the extent of our celebration. I tried a new (made-up) recipe tonight and it was really good. Here's how it goes (these are all guesstimates--adjust to your taste):

3 cans chicken broth
1 can diced tomatoes
1 cup mild picante sauce
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
a little bit more picante sauce
about 10 corn tortillas cut into 1/2 inch strips
oil for frying tortilla strips
chopped fresh tomatoes, avocados, cilantro, lime wedges

Make a foil pocket and put the chicken breasts in there and cover with some picante sauce. Bake at 350 for about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, pour all the broth, diced tomates, and picante sauce in a large saucepan.
Take out the chicken and chop it up and pour all the juices into the saucepan. Throw the foil away (one less dish to wash).
Stir and let it boil while you fry up the tortilla stips and drain them on paper towels (you should let them start to brown a little so they are good and crunchy).
Ladel soup into a big bowl and top with the tortilla strips, then the fresh chopped stuff, and even a dab of sour cream if you like. Then eat up--it's delicious!!