The 5 C's: Speed of Life

Well, another six months has gone by, and this blog shows nothing for it. All I can claim is--please reread the above title. I'll give a recap though:

August

Since I am an assistant Cub Scout den leader (did I mention that before?), I had the opportunity to go on a day trip with the Scouts to a nearby bison ranch. It was, well, wild. Those creatures are massive! The boys were able to stand in a truck bed and "pet" the bison.

Kalvin and fellow Scouts helped carry fence posts up a hill.

Big beasts

September

I completed a Rescue Diver course. Think land rescuer/basic EMT course combined with the potential hazards associated with diving. Add a dose of Montana lake water with about 5 ft. visibility, water temperatures around 57 F, and wind and rain, and you can imagine what the water portion of the course was like. It really was fun though!

My instructor, fellow "victim" diver, and myself doing the "rescue". I have some sweet white fins.

Trip to Oregon: fun visit to G & G's house! We were also able to spend time with Aunt and Uncle "A" and cousin "K". One highlight of the trip was going to see the Spruce Goose . The Evergreen Museum itself is beyond any "museum" you've ever visited. And we only managed to get through the first building that afternoon! The boys were in heaven, and the adults--well, we were all amazed and overwhelmed with the amount of history.

Inside the Spruce Goose. They really wanted to play with the balls behind the glass. We can't remember why the balls were in there. The maiden flight celebration maybe?

Even the architecture of the building is amazing.

On our way home from Oregon, we stopped at Silver Mountain in Kellogg, ID. A ride up the tram lift and hot chocolate for everyone at the top.

Something seemed very off about this. Black diamond sheer drop off...with a kids bouncer less than ten feet from the edge. The trail name doesn't help.

And another highlight of the month--going to the ranch in Augusta.
G & G "B" were finally able to move into their new home!
The house was so warm and cozy, despite the brisk wind that day. Great job guys!

It did warm up enough over the afternoon that we were able to take a walk out to the riverbed. So many rocks to skip and so little time...

Rock skipping in the river at the "B" ranch

The boys seem to have overcome most of their dog fears.

October

It seems like October is the start of some really great deals in canned goods, etc. for food storage, and this year was no exception. One of our local stores is known for it's fall "case load" sale. I got a few interesting looks as I pushed and pulled two grocery carts brimming with cans and boxes of macaroni dinners. The picture doesn't even do justice to the total damages.

Score at the grocery store

We have a rule in our house that the kids don't hang out in the home office. But the rule wasn't really working with Bando's kennel being in there. The boys just couldn't resist being in the same room as the puppy. We had a travel sized kennel on the floor near the big kennel. Talmage decided to stand on the little one, but slipped. The metal hinge on the door caught his foot, and disaster struck:

Two stitches and an open puncture wound

Amazingly, Mr. T cried for about a minute, then was fine. The only other time he got upset was when the Dr. numbed him up for the stitches.

And then it was done.

Not a peep more out of him about his foot hurting. At all. Not even during the following couple of days.

Man, this kid is tough.

Another trip to Oregon!

This time we played at a local farm --pumpkin hunting, strawbale obstacle courses, zip line swing, rock wall, making fresh apple cider, etc. We played all day with G&G "J", Aunt and Uncle "A" and cousin "K".

Super fun!

Hanging tough. He didn't want any help.

Kalvin, Xander, Talmage and Grandpa "J" riding a slide train.

This month, life changed forever for our family.

We are now officially homeschooling.

The decision was easy.

We love our children. We love their smiles and their hugs. We love being with them.

All the time.

The decision was difficult.

Matt and I are smart, educated, and skilled. But to homeschool? Could we really do it?

Yep. We can. We are.

And we love it.

It's not idyllic. There is lots of moaning, groaning, crying and frustration (and not all from the kids, I might add). But there is even more excitement, hugs, laughter, self esteem building, fun, and most of all--love.

And we don't mind getting to sleep in either.

One of our first activities for our homeschool:

We went to Butte to learn more about the history of mining. And mining life back in the day:

Dental office

Mining boys. They were so psyched to wear all the gear.

Not quite sure what face he was going for...

And to think that they required seven men to cram into the elevator, regardless of size-yikes!

Learning how the blasting is done

This one's for you, Uncle "J"!

The main topside station

A relief map of western Montana

The sunset on our way home

Last but certainly not least, what is October without Halloween?

For the kid who loves to eat-a chef costume!

November

2 trips to Utah.

Yeah, we know we're crazy. At least it wasn't two weekends in a row that we went!

The first trip we were able to visit the LDS Conference Center. We hadn't seen it in person before, although we had the privilege of meeting one of the architects on the project about six years ago. He sure had some fascinating stories.

Our second trip was for Thanksgiving. I don't think I have ever driven in such horrid, dangerous conditions. And I hope to never do it again. So much for trying to avoid any winter storms! But Thanksgiving with Matt's family was great. We just forgot to take any pictures. Oops.

The boys thought the waterfall on the side of the conference center was the best part.

Random, really cool tree. It was covered in fall colored leaves, but the trunk was completely engulfed in the dark green ivy.

After another birthday, our little guy is not so little anymore.

4 years old!

Kalvin is trying to get all Talmage's Iron Man gear figured out. Gift from G&G "B"

Watch out bad guys!

Also this month:

Kalvin had a birthday, too--on Thanksgiving! He thought it was pretty sweet to celebrate with all his cousins in Utah.

I am now the ward primary pianist.

Somehow, I kept that talent buried for the 6 years we have lived here.

The Lord decided I had been squandering it away long enough.
I'm glad He knows me better than I know myself.
I would still not be playing the piano were it not for this new opportunity.

December

Oh what a fun time of year!
A fresh Christmas tree (which left us all with cold 'burned' lungs for a couple of days after hiking in the mountains to get it).
Shorter days. Longer nights.
Snow reflecting the moon's light.
The Nativity.