A PLETHORA of FOTOS

So...it's been an eventful week with Richard's birthday and Father's Day and our Beartooth Campout. Here are some recent photos, beginning with stuff from Wednesday:

You know how I like to make little embroidered quote pillows, right? And you know how our family LOOOOVES the movie "Elf", right? So I made some Christmas pillows (well, actually I just embroidered the quotes on muslin, but they will soon be pillows) with our favorite Elf quotes on them! Have a gander...

I got adorable holiday fabric at the quilt store--it'll be so FUN!

Here is a gorgeous rainbow out our back door from Wednesday night.

On Thursday, Addie and Heidi decorated a birthday cake for Daddy.

Ta-Daaaah!

After the kids' dinner, Rich made a wish while they sang...

I think he wished we coudl go to Bozeman to see "Land of the Lost" and eat Taco Bell, because that's what we did while Jessica H. babysat for us like a true HERO.

***

On Friday afternoon, we headed southeast with Uncle Mike & Christina to camp at the KOA in Red Lodge, MT...

Addie & Christina

Addie, Christina, Heidi, and James around our campfire

Addie in the "porch" area of our tent

James & Heidi found the "doggie door" to our tent.

Mike taught James how to roast a marshmallow without setting it on fire.

...but he didn't learn how to EAT the marshmallows!

YUM!

Christina gave Addie a fireside crochet lesson

Daddy was silly!

Mommy was cold!

Uncle Mike was cheezy!

Rich cooked up a yummy breakfast the morning

Pancakes in a can are NOT the best...but breakfast was great!

Kids in their jammies by the creek

Girls in their jammies by the creek

Heidi, James, and Addie on the bridge behind our campsite. They were waiting for Daddy to pack up and for the KOA pool to open!

Super James!

Mike & Rich hard at work!

Daddy threw the kids around the pool from 10am-11am...

Here's James

...and Heidi...

...and Addie!

Mikey came, too!

[Mommy just watched and embroidered and got a sunburn on her right side!]

***

After swimming, we dried off, got dressed, and headed up the Beartooth Highway!

Look at that glacial lake! GORGEOUS!

Christina and James at the first lookout

Mike, James, Addie, Christina, Heidi, and Jamie

at the first Beartooth lookout.

Addie & Heidi freaking me out at the lookout.

Check out the snow on the side of the road!

Here we are writing "MELINS" in the snow wall

(and we can thank Rich for all these awesome bum-shots of me--UGH!)

Heidi on the glacier

James on the glacier

Christina, Mike, and James at the glacier

***

While we were driving from Red Lodge, the Grays (my SIL & family) and Gram & Gramp Melin were driving over from Yellowstone Park! We met them right at Crazy Creek.

Jame s and Grandpa on the Crazy Creek trail

Rosalie & Heidi

Addie & Crazy Creek (that is white WATER behind her, not snow)

Me and the Beartooth from Crazy Creek pull out.

***

And that is ALL for this week. Tomorrow morning the kids and I are driving down to Lehi, Utah to pick up my nieces, Ally and Belle for some long-promised cousin fun! I can't wait!

So it's time for me to re-pack the van I unpacked last night and head south. I better hit the hay. Best of weeks to all-y'all!

Who Blogs

I’ve read/heard a few people go off on bloggers lately (and many times before), saying that it takes a special kind of narcissist to be arrogant enough to think the world cares about one’s thoughts or doings. I realize that there are a million reasons why people blog, and as many different types of bloggers, but I wanted to speak for myself (and probably most of the bloggers I read--regarding teh "Famiyl Blog" or "mommy-blog").

My blogging life began with weekly emails (back in the 90’s before blogger) when I moved away from loved ones and needed an efficient way to keep in touch. As I collected more to share (I moved to a new and interesting place, had three children who do noteworthy things each day, etc.), it seems technology advanced to suit my needs. I love that I have a central location to post stories and photos from my life, and link to all my dear ones who are doing the same thing.

I happen to know that my grandparents check their family’s blogs at least once every single day. I think of that often when I set aside computer time for myself. I really do try to find something to post for them (and time to post it) every day. Sometimes I have a lot to say—my own opinions, things weighing on my mind; other times I have great stories or photos of the kids. Sometimes I have nothing to say but I am still alive. The point is, I know that my loved ones are looking for word from me because I am looking for word from them. I am genuinely interested in their everyday lives. In fact, I am genuinely interested in most everyone’s everyday lives. People, in general, are totally fascinating to me. I love reading how similar others are to me. I love reading about lives that are totally different from mine, too—lifestyles and adventures I will never know. It’s like blogging was made for me—it saves e a lot of trips to the library for biographies!

So then I was thinking about the kinds of people who say the kinds of things about bloggers that lump us together as arrogant and self-centered nut jobs (which is not entirely untrue, I’m just saying it’s a pretty broad generalization, which I will answer with a pretty broad generalization). I think I know this “type” of person. I think there is a certain degree of projection involved in one’s attitude about blogging. People who love blogs and blogging are “people-persons,” and especially “family-people,” and they expect to find others with the same attitude online. People who hate blogs and blogging tend to be uninterested in the lives of others, and just don’t connect with the private or mundane side of life. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. You know, different strokes for different folks and all. You get what you give. you know.

I just write to share my daily life with people whom I wish were a part of it. Since we can’t be neighbors and all up in each others’ bidness (and maybe that’s for the best), we can do it virtually via the blog. I am not asking or assuming that what I write will be of interest to anyone but my loved ones with whom I have shared my address, and who have taken the time to log on and read up. And even then I’m not making any promises! And I, for one, DEVOUR all the news, thoughts, and photos posted by y loved ones. To my critics (if there are any critics of “the family blog”), I mostly feel like saying "If you don’t like it, don’t read it." It’s pretty simple.

LET THE WILD RUMPUS BEGIN!

I say that because (a) we are about to take the kids camping near Red Lodge then drive over the Beartooth Highway to Yellowstone tomrrow (it's free to get in the park tomorrow)--home in time for dinner and Sunday prep! and (b) I saw this trailer last at the movies with hubs and it made me cry with delight (just like the Narnia trailer did a few years ago). There are few childhood memories I love more than reading this book!!!!!

Too Much iCarly...

I am about to take the Hubs on a bday date, but I just wanted to direct your attention to the "web show" (click to watch...be sure to click the pause button on Addie's music box on the right of the screen) my girls filmed today. It's posted at Addie's blog and it's pretty funny. They are so silly! I love them!

(click here to see their inspiration)

Many Moons, Many Junes...

Today is Rich's 38th Birthday.

We always get to celelbrate his birthday and his fatherhood in the same week, so here are some of my favorite pictures of him with the kids over the past 8 years...New Daddy and Addie, November 2001
He's also a fun Uncle...Rich & Ally-Bug, December 2001
Daddy & Addie, Summer 2003 in MO
Daddy & Addie on his birthday, June 2003 at Pine Creek

Daddy & Baby Heidi, April 2004

Dad & his Girls, May 2004 in the Family Bed

Addie & Daddy, June 2005, Yellowstone
Daddy & Heidi, June 2005

Daddy & His Girls, June 2005

Dad & Addie, June 2006, MO

Daddy swimming with the girls at Nana's, June 2006

Heidi & Daddy, June 2006

Daddy rocking Sweet Baby James, October 2006

Daddy saving James from dress-ups, January 2007

Daddy dancing with the girls at Midsummer Fest in Lindsborg, June 2006

"Happy Birthday, Daddy!", June 2007

James, Rich, & Jamie taken by Addie, June 2007

Walk Like An Egyptian at Museum of the Rockies, June 2007

Daddy & James on Beartooth Highway, July 2007

Birthday Barbecue, June 2008

***

Cute Daddies, part 1

I have so many sweet pix of my hubs and brothers with their kids, I thought I'd find some and post them in honor of Fathers Day Sunday. I just found this one for today, reposted from my brother Sam's blog. I love how sober little Owen is looking at his Daddy in this one...so sweet!

We Survived Crafters Club!

But FIRST...the headline of the day is:

Addie got a HAIRCUT!!!

Addie's been asking for years to have her hair like mine and Heidi's (bobbed), but she also wanted ponies and braids and "princess hair" so I always talked her out of it. She finally convinced me to let her have short hair for the summer, so we went to see Kim Tubbs and both got our hair done last night for Family Night (I know, not much of a FHE with Rich and James and Heidi at the museum and me & Ad getting haircuts, but we had a fun night together).
I have been running around like crazy all morning, so my hair looks a little sad, but I caved and got blonde highlights. I was trying to be more natural, but let's face it: my natural hair now is a hideous brownish gray that is just plain sad. Depressing, even. So I will keep it lighter while I can, cuz, hey, it's sunny (my hair, the weather, AND my disposition--heh, heh)!
***

Today we made Fathers Day cards and Krispy-Treat-Ties for Crafters Club. Three of Addie's friends from school didn't come (which I was kind of glad about since I felt a tiny bit under prepared this morning), so we had a small crowd and had lots of fun. This is how Addie's Tie turned out.

Here Ad's friends Hailey, Gracie, and Kelli decorate their ties.

Haily used the "scraps" from her tie to make a treat for her mom.

We wrapped them all up in cello-bags and ribbon, and taped the cards they made to the front.

James "helped" Heidi and her friend, Ember at the table.

Hailey, Gracie, Addie and Kelli...these girls have been pals for 5 years!

We had a great time! Next club meeting, we are making patriotic stuff to wear to the parade on July 2nd. Good Times!

[[later I will post more fotos and vidoes the girls took on Addie's blog]]

huh?

Me + No Sunday Nap = Dead on Monday

***

My kids are chasing each other around yelling, "You dirty little hippy!" I don't know what that's about, but I gotta go bake.

***

HAPPY BIRFDAY, COUSIN DAVE!

Mediocrity

My SIL posted about "things I suck at"--which is about my first three years of this blog for me: being pregnant, handling disorder, using power tools, dealing with people who have vastly different values than I do, math, typing, maintaining a decent weight, dealing with obstructed breathing, confrontation, patience...ALL THINGS I SUCK AT!

Right now the thing I suck at most is personal grooming. I am in the throes of busy momhood, and I am the poster girl for Letting Yourself Go. Part of me cares, but part of me cares more about my family life and THEIR grooming and cuteness. Don't get me wrong--I am still good about hygeine. I smell decent, my nails are ALWAYS cut and polished, my teeth are brushed at least twice a day, etc. etc. But I rarely "do" my hair (it requires a blow-out after each shampoo). I usually get up, put on yoga pants and a t-shirt and a headband, telling myself that AFTER I exercise and AFTER I get teh house clean, I will freshen up and put on an "outfit."

You've probably guessed that the sweaty chores never end. The yoga pants and Tshirts never get changed. The makeup bag gathers dust. I DO apply vitamin E oil to the lashes and I swear by clinique city block after the morning face wash--at least it evens the skin tone and provides sunblock. That's gotta count for something, right?

The thing is, I do a decent job at a LOT of things, but I excell at pretty much nothing. I am undisciplined in a lot of ways and that's why I can't sight read or sew or bake well. Or, like the Innocence Mission song, "I know nothing about so many, too many things..."