Camping at Red Meadow Lake

This weekend, we went camping north of Whitefish at Red Meadow Lake; and had a great time. It was really beautiful there, as most of Montana is! There was still snow at the campground, which the kids thought was funny. Tyler did a little fishing (didn't catch anything but arctic grayling (disgusting!) ) We did hike to a really high altitude lake called Link Lake. It was absolutely beautiful! We were the only people up there, and a bald eagle was fishing right with Tyler! Amazing! It was a hike though, with lots of snow covering the path... maybe in a few weeks, we could do it again, and this time take the camera! (Don't you hate that!)

We had the kids wear their bear bells on their shoes, so that we could tell where they were always, and it was so cute! A lot of the weekend was spent throwing rocks into lakes, and just exploring!

Right when we got home, we washed the car... it REALLY needed it! And then we took Colton in his first bike trailer ride. Ayla was asleep, but I am sure she will get in it soon. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

4th of July dress!! Only 5 of them!!!

Here is a couple holiday dresses I have made... there are only 5! Two in 3-6 month size, one 12 month, 0ne 2T, and one 3T. (Of course Ayla has her own!)

In the red dot one, Ayla is wearing a 12 month size with the little bloomers that go with it... this is my favorite size on her right now, but in the red, white and blue one, it is a 2T.
I only make the bloomers for the 3-6 month and 12 month size, unless requested.

Just thought I would share these with you guys... my friend Melanie is going to try to sell them at the Farmer's Market for me this Saturday, so we will see how they do. I sure think they are adorable!

Sleeping Bags!

We just got the kids new sleeping bags for camping, and they are a HUGE hit in our house! Colton's came in the mail for his birthday, and Ayla immediately wanted one of her own.... not that we do everything she says, but we figured that she would benefit from one too. So we headed down to the local outdoor place and purchased a winner (it has purple in it, which is her favorite color!) They layed in them for awhile last night and then wanted to sleep in them, but we knew it would be too hot, so we told them they were only for camping! Now we only have to pack them instead of: dog bed (yeah, Colton was sleeping on a dog bed.. ha ha!), travel crib, sheepskin, armload of blankets, pillow. Much better!

Lately, the kids have been mimicking us to the fullest; they decided they would be like Tyler and eat their cereal while outside checking on all the plants! How cute!

Rascals

These two just look like rascals. Every time I take a peek, they are doing something really rascally (except when they are sound asleep!). Colton has taken quite a liking to running around the back yard "watering" all the plants by turning the sprinkler off, and moving it and then turning it back on... all with JUST boots on! Hilarious! This kid used to be so modest, but not any more. He is still doing well potty training... one day at a time, right? Ayla is talking up a storm and knows some of the different tractors and points and says "forklift" or "exvator" ... so cute! Definitely learning from her brother.
I have been busy making fourth of July dresses for the farmers market... more pics later. They are so cute though! Love them. Tyler has been busy in the yard (and at work)... he is almost finished with "projects". That will be the day! Ha. I love it; but next to him I feel so lazy!

Potty training and more

The kids in their new woolies

Colton's new book for his first time going number two on the potty chair! And below is our little Picasso's (Ayla) drawing... it just seemed very abstract, but grown up for her to draw!

Colton washing out his peed on underwear! He has a new found appreciation for being naked!

The last week, Colton has been immersed in getting potty trained. He has been in underwear all day long since last Friday, and has been doing fantastic!! Friday, he went with NO accidents, and since then, he has only had 1-2 a day, so we are very proud. We came up with a bribery plan where if he went one day with no accidents he got a special toy (a trip to the John Deere dealership and a skidder was picked!), 3 days with no accidents he will get another special thing; 5 days; and then 7 days with no accidents, he will recieve the specialest of all toys! He picked a front loader (of course).

I also finished up some adorable woolie pants for the kids... they wear them at night for pj pants, and they seem to REALLY help with the leaks!

One of Colton's favorite things to say right now is "I'll eat you up; I love you so!" This is from one of my favorite books "Where the Wild Things Are", and he says it when he is mad. It makes us all laugh, and he usually gets over being mad, which is awesome! I love my funny, smart, wonderful little rascals!

Yesterday, I kept them busy with helping me make bread and granola bars, and then when Ayla took a nap (Sophie, too) we made some spaghetti sauce with the fresh oregano from the farm share, and it was awesome. I love warm bread out of the oven topped with a mix of butter and honey... yum!!!

Our hiking trip in Glacier last weekend

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These pictures are from our trip last weekend to Glacier National Park (we are lucky enough to have it almost in our backyard!). We hiked up the Avalanche Creek Trail, which was about 5 miles there and back. Our neighbors and friends, Justin and Shana and daughter Mia, came along with us, and we all had a great time! The kids behaved relatively well, and Colton actually hiked a lot on his own! We are excited to continue hiking this year, and hope that it only gets better. Our plans are to go camping in Glacier in August, but we will see how that goes.
Tyler and I have been running a lot lately... yesterday we ran 6 miles! It felt great, and actually wasn't as hard as I was expecting. We are planning on running a half marathon in August or September. I also have been hiking alot with my great friend, Jill. She is such an awesome friend to have, and calls me up after dinner and says, "wanna go hiking?" So last week, I went a total of 5 times! And although it is only a 2 mile hike, it really gets the blood flowing, and is a great addition to my running.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to one of the greatest Dad's (and husband) in the World!

Last stop- in Astoria

Our last part of the trip, and really the sole purpose of our trip was Astoria, Oregon. We wanted to be there for Tyler's sister's graduation. The weather was decent enough, and we had a great time! The kids played with one of Hayley's old toys, and loved driving it all over the yard! We even snuck in an overnight trip to Grammy Roxanne's and Grandpa Pat's!

Scappoose Creek Inn (AGAIN)

A lot can happen in 3 and a half years, huh!? (Meaning two wonderful little rugrats!) Our wedding was on October 22, 2005 at the Scappoose Creek Inn in Scappoose, Oregon; and we actually got a chance to go back there sans kids for a night during our vacation to Oregon! Yeah! It was our first night away from the kids, but they seemed fine when we dropped them off at Grandma and Grandpa Gustafsons'. We had a great time at the inn, reminiscing. Not much had changed there, except the restaraunt was Hawaiian now, when it used to be traditional. The above pictures are before (obviously?) and present. What a great place to get married though!

More from Oregon Trip - Eugene

So from the zoo, we headed to Eugene (Springfield) to visit Tyler's brother and family (Danielle, Aiden, and new baby, Natalie!). We had a fantastic time there camping in the backyard and playing with cousins. The kids all got along really well, and Tyler and I even got to leave them and go for a long run! I know exciting, huh?! Well, these pictures are from a local "farm" that is open to the public to come and explore the trails and such. The kids obviously loved the tractor and the hazelnut (?) groves were cool to run through.

Speaking of farms, we, well, really I, am looking into doing a farm share with a local organic farm. You pay a certain amount of money for the year, and get fresh vegetables and some fruit, every week. I am thinking of asking a friend (Jill) if they want to go half and half, so we can work up to eating more and more vegetables. We'll see if this will work out. I always seem to have these good ideas, and then it kind of never "happens".

Things I LOVE this Friday

Just thought this would be nice for Friday, to get the weekend on the right foot, remembering what brings me such happiness in this life:

1. The way the kids playing so nicely together these days (I better enjoy it while it last, right?!)

2. Laundry hanging on the line (saves energy, and smells so good!)

3. My clean house! Ever since starting to watch little Sophie (an 8 month old) my house just seems cleaner... I guess because I don't want her mom to think I am a slob, and because she crawls, so the floor has to clean!

4. Grandparents! And Aunts and Uncles too! It was so nice to be able to have the grandparents around to get to know the kids, and to babysit while Tyler and I got some running in on vacation, and even a movie and night away!

5. The wonderful weather for now! I love it when it is in the 70's
6. Being able to stay at home with the kiddoes... I realize how lucky I am that we can do this, and greatly appreciate it (most of the time!)
7. Peanut Butter Chocolate Tillamook ice cream... my favorite!
8. Our art easel... the kids absolutely love it, and it occupies a lot of their time!
9. When kids take 3 hour naps.
10. A half a cup of coffee... I decided to give up caffeine for the most part, but every once in a while, I will sneak in a half cup!