Montana Part 2

We headed up to Montana again for just a few days in July. Again, it was stifling hot in Salt Lake, so it is always nice to go to Montana where the air is clean and the weather isn't deathly hot. Anton had his work party, which went really well. It was nice to meet some of the people I hear often about. He is surrounded by a lot of good people, and his co workers are so great. 

I have never been able to learn how to do a french braid, so one morning we were just sitting around and I told Lilly that I was going to have her sit while I taught myself how to french braid. I was so proud of myself because I FINALLY figured out how to do it! This is a little messy since it was my first one, but I was so happy - but Lilly was even happier!

On Saturday, we went to the Lewis & Clark Caverns per recommendation by Anton's assistant. I was sl glad we did it! It was really cool, and the girls had a blast. It always feel good when we get out and do things as a family. That's one of the things we love about Montana...we don't have a big yard to take care of, or a huge house to clean, so our Saturdays are open to going and doing fun things instead of house chores.  

Later that night, Elizabeth & Jurgen had us over for dinner to celebrate Anton's upcoming 40th birthday. I tell you what, we really lucked out with them. She made one of Anton's favorite meals and they showered him with gifts and cards...and just the fact that they insisted on having a little party for him meant the world to us. Anton was going to be up there on his actual birthday, so a few of his friends/clients/co-workers took him out for a really nice dinner and then back to the man cave to play cards. Anton said the guys gave him a really nice jacket and a pair of Jazz tickets....who does that?! So nice! So in return for the kindness, during poker, Anton won $100 off of one guy! Ha! So grateful for so many wonderful friends who treat us so well. We are lucky people! 

Phone Pictures

I love how random Claire is - still! Every so often I get a little sad thinking that someday soon she will outgrow her quirky behavior....but I have been thinking that for a long time, and she just gets funnier and more quirky! Love it!

(Clearly I needed to clean the lens on my phone!) We went out to go see my parents new lot & home. It is exciting to see it, and to get a real sense of the layout. I am so excited for them!

Claire likes to wander up when I am working out. I can't believe how big she is getting. Pretty soon that thumb is going to have to stop going in her mouth. Her front teeth are coming in, and I am worried that her thumb sucking is going to make those teeth look funny. I kind of hate having to break her of the habit....I had to when I was little, and it was not fun. Ugh.

We got invited by our neighbors to go up to a BBQ at their cabin. That day was SO hot in Salt Lake, so we were kind of looking forward to going up somewhere cooler. It was so beautiful and the temperature was perfect. It was a fun night! We have great neighbors - were really lucky.

Swimming & diving lessons started and my girls were in heaven! Willow Creek has been closed for a  year while they were building a new clubhouse and pool. The new pool is so so so nice and so much fun for the kids. They added a slide, a kids area, they have 2 diving boards and ton of tables and lounge chairs. It has been so dreamy! We love it!

The girls have done so well in their lessons. Claire is totally on her own now, and is learning the basic strokes, and Lilly is doing great with her dives. Her teacher is not the nicest, but it is actually good for Lilly. She is so reluctant to try new and hard things, so sometimes she won't push herself. So, this teacher wouldn't let her chicken out or not do things. By the end of lessons, Lilly was doing beautiful back dives and front flips. I was really proud of her! 

4th of July Weekend

We took a little day trip on Saturday to meet up with the Leonards in Logan. I am so embarrassed to say I had never seen the Logan temple. I was blown away at how stunning it was, and this picture doesn't do it any justice. I made Anton slow down so I could take a picture. 

We met up with the Leonards up at their cabin, had lunch, and then headed to Bear Lake to the day...along with 50,000 other people. It was crazy! But, the kids had so much fun, and it was great to spend the day with some of our favorite people.

Phil & Anton. I tell you what, those two are like two little boys. They feed off of one another, and tease each other all day long. The morning we left Anton shaved his head, but missed a spot on his neck. Phil took it upon himself to help Anton with his neck, by pulling out his knife and helping shave the spot off. So funny!

These two little girls. They have such a special bond and love for one another. It makes me so happy! They always play so well together, and when they are together they are constantly talking or giggling. I love them and love that they have one another!

I didn't get many pictures of the rest of the weekend, but it was a fun one! Anton went hiking, my parents had their annual (and possibly their last) 4th of July breakfast, we went swimming and had our good friends and neighbors over for fireworks. I was so happy that so many of our neighbors, who have never come out for fireworks before, came over and set up their chairs for the show! Our neighbors who have become good friends are possibly moving in the next few months, so we did shed a few tears thinking about it being our last 4th of July together. Glad we are making the memories while they are here, because we will miss them terribly!

 We love the 4th of July!!

June 2016

We got home from Montana, and the very next day was Lilly's piano recital. That can be a little tricky since we don't have a piano up there, and there is no way to practice. But, she did great! Her teacher lives right next door, and she only has 4 students. They kids got to dress up (if they wanted to) to go along with their song. Lilly wore a princess dress because her song was the Sleeping Beauty song. I was actually surprised she dressed up. Sometimes I think Lilly is older than she really is, so I was so happy that she wanted to dress up. I love her so much.

When Anton is out of town, every once in a while Claire will sneak into our room and fall asleep. She brings her stuffed animals, and gets them all set up and snuggles in. She will even get my side all ready for me by covering my pillow with one of her blankets! It is so funny and darling! Sometimes I let her stay, but sometimes she is hard to sleep with so I take her back into her bed. I am sure someday I will really miss things like this.

One day we had all the nieghbor kids over for a water fight. They had so much fun. It warmed my heart to see them giggling and having such a fun time. I hope my kids will look back on their childhood and remember days like these. Later that day Claire got "married" to Tyler...oh dear. There was a kiss or two involved as well. It was hysterical but thank goodness things are back to normal and they are back to playing spies and animals!!

Summer nights at the DQ! You can tell by Anton's face that I was thrilled I was taking his picture! It is rare that we go out for dessert, so it was worth documenting! Plus...look how cute they all are. Love this crazy bunch.

Montana - First trip

My parents came up during the first week of our two week trip to Montana, so the second week we had a few things we wanted to do with the girls. The most exciting thing for the girls was going fishing and their horse camp!! We totally struck out when we were fishing. We had a few nibbles, but no real bites. It was such a bummer. But, it was fun and beautiful, so we couldn't complain too much. 

This year, the girls were SO excited about horse camp. They had a blast, and it couldn't make me happier. It is pricey, but so worth it. I like that we have found our Montana activity. Horses are so expensive, and the girls would love to take lessons year round, so I like having the excuse that we save horse riding for when we go to Montana. Saves me money, the girls look forward to it every year, and it is exciting because it is "new"! Win win! I love it so much. Seeing them in their gear, prepping the horses and riding is the most adorable thing. We love love love it!

Nana & Pops come to Montana

Oh my heaven, we had the best time with my parents in Montana!! They came up for just a few days, but they were filled to the max. They spent a couple days in Jackson Hole, then we met in the middle in Yellowstone. It was a long day, but we had so much fun. My dad loves Yellowstone, and he was a great tour guide. The girls couldn't be better travelers. The drive up to Montana is really long, but they do great...it's me who struggles the most with the drive! So, I was worried about taking them on another longer drive, but they were great! It was such a fun day!

The next day, my dad went golfing and the girls went out to lunch, shopping, and then took the girls to the pool. Later that night, we went to dinner with an old friend of my parents. It was a super fancy restaurant which wasn't the greatest for the girls, but it was good to go and spend the evening with their friends. 

The next day, while Anton worked, we went to the Museum of the Rockies. It is such a great museum, we love going there. After the museum, we met up with Anton for lunch & then went our seperate ways for a couple hours so my parents could go to an Art Gallery and such. During that time, Claire climbed in her bed and fell asleep. She NEVER takes naps...fun filled days were wearing her out! Later that evening we me up and took my parents to our favorite chicken place and then went back to our place and played games. Game night with them always provides a lot of laughs!  

It was a blast to have them, and it sounds silly, but I was really sad when they left because it was so fun. I know we probably won't get them to come up again next year, but hopefully they will make it up again in a few years! 

End of school

It is always sad to say goodbye to another great year at the school. My girls have had nothing but wonderful experiences at school, and I hope every year is as happy as the last. Their teachers were perfect for them, and Lilly in particular was sad to say goodbye. Both girls did really well this year in school, and improved in almost all subjects.. Unfortunately for Lilly, she takes after her Mom. She struggled in Math, but toward the end of the year she had improved quite a bit more, but is going to need some extra help. It breaks my heart because she takes it so hard that she isn't the "best" at something, so in some aspects it is a good lesson for her to learn. We will get a handle on it, so hopefully next year will be better.

End of year activities are always so much fun! I think I was at the school every day that last week helping with something. I love volunteering at the school & being involved with whats going on. I was offered a job to work in the front office, and decided a few weeks ago that it would be really fun, so I said yes! I am really looking forward to it! When I took the job, everyone was SO sweet and wanted to welcome me to the "family". I was so worried about getting depressed with my girls being in school, and me being home alone all day...so this is going to be great. I will only work 2 1/2 days a week, and it is the same hours of the girls. Wish me luck!

Lilly won this award for reading the most Beehive Books in the class. I was so proud of her!!

Lilly's class had a book report day, and it was so cute. I went in a few days before and helped the kids put their boards together, so it was fun to see it all set up. Lilly chose to do her report on one of The Never Girls books that she loves. Sometimes I am reminded of how little she still is, and it warms my heart. I love her more than anything!

Claire had something every day the last month of school. They went through the alphabet, so each day had a different theme. This day was something about wearing a funny outfit...and this is what she chose. I love this girl!

Field day is the best!! The kids love the games, and the PTA goes all out with snow cones, music, games & they have the fire dept come and spray all the kids with the hose. It was Claire's first time participating in Field Day, and she had a blast. One of the other moms said to me that she wanted to cry it was so fun...that made me laugh. But it is true, I love how the school tries to make the best experiences for the kids. It is a great school!

Afterward we had to do our traditional snow cone run after school!