Friday, June 26, 2009

Montana


I've been obsessed with Montana since approximately 2nd grade. Not sure why, I had never been there, just seen pics, but I was in love with the place. I always wished I could live there; out in the middle of no-where with the only neighbors being the wildlife and mountains. I knew someday I'd eventually see it in real life and that was summer 2002. I went with Nick, his brother, and his dad. It was everything I'd hoped it would be and it is where I realized that Nick was my best friend and needed to be in my life forever. So now it really holds a special place in my heart for more than just the beauty of the open sky and mountains.


We were planning on taking a "cheap" vacation this year since we splurged on Oregon / Washington last year. Then we saw how cheap flights were getting and realized we could fly somewhere for practially the same price as driving to someplace like New Hampshire (the plan). Plus once we get to a destination, we eat Ramen noodles and sleep in a tent most of the week.


So yeah, when we realized we could fly somewhere for a trip it was a no-brainer where we wanted to go: MONTANA!! This time we were married and had more freedom to make it a trip "our style". Hiking, geocaching, and driving around as much as possible. I must be changing Nick because he didn't even fish once (fishing was the sole purpose of Montana trips in his past).
Stats:
- 1900 miles driven
- 2 national parks
- 28 geocaches
- 2 states
- 3 snowy hikes
- 8 days
- 2 showers
- 1 rattlesnake practially on the trail
- 4 montana guys our age we met that were super cool
- 1 time we hiked in a snowstorm
- 1200 pictures taken




See Pics ( I just found out you can publically share facebook pics to anyone!! Good news; I condensed the 1200 to 57 for your viewing pleasure)






Monday, June 15, 2009

I will eat healthy when.....

First I have to show off my new super zoom camera. Bees in flight. WOW!! Never could've gotten that shot with the old camera.



Now one more reason my hubby is insane. This was how he was rigging up one of our 2 long gourd trellis's.




Ok and now....I will eat healthy when......all these vegetables get ripe!!!!!!!!!! I guess it was said (behind my back) that I eat really unhealthily for a track coach. I'm not sure why that person would have gotten such an impression; I had 4 desserts at that particular cook-out! LOLOLOLOL. Oh man desserts are definitely my weakness. This post is mainly to show off our garden this year and remind myself that once everything gets ripe, I'll be eating 4 veggies per meal along instead of 4 desserts. (or at least try). In all seriousness, I think with the combo of sun and rain this summer the garden looks better than ever.




Giant pumpkins (8 plants):

Other long gourd trellis:

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Family Traditions (part 2): WEDDINGS


So I think the only post I have on family traditions so far is about butchering. LOL. Let's switch to a more normal subject: Weddings!! Today is our 3 year anniversary and we are celebrating by Nick being 4 states away on business and me sitting at home baby-sitting pumpkins / chickens. But enough about that!



This is the church where my grandma has been the organist since she was 16 years old. She is now 76 so you do the math! WOWOWOWOW. She has only missed a handful of Sundays in 60 years. I think it's pretty awesome that we got married in 2006 where my mom / dad got married in 1980 AND where my grandma / grandpa did too (1952ish.....even though back then it was the "old" building across the street). She played the organ and directed the bell choir for my wedding. Oddly enough, she did not for my parents (too much stressing being the mother-of-the-bride I supposed haha). We'll see if my sis gets married at "home" here at GUMC. And if my future kids do too, that'll be 4 generations.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Moving Chickens

These two weeks have been a little crazy!! My birthday, our anniversary, school letting out, cross country starting, vacation packing, 2 business trips, mother-in-law still in hospital, moving chickens, continuing to plant the ever-expanding garden, eek!! BUT WE LEAVE FOR MONTANA in 7 DAYS AND I AM SO EXCITED!! :)

Here is Nick moving the chickens up to next year's pumpkin patch. Great way to not have to scoop poop; just let them deposit it where you want it. LOL.














Saturday, June 6, 2009

Praise to the Lord!!

Praise to the Lord, The Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, For He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, Now to His temple draw near; Praise Him in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, Who over all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings,Yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen How all your longings have been
Granted in what He ordaineth.


This hymn has been playing in my head all morning, because a miracle happened yesterday. In fact by time I get to singing the refrain, tears are in my eyes. When God answers prayers it is an amazing thing.

What happened? My friend's grandson got a liver transplant. So let's just keep praying for a smooth recovery because I'm sure there are still thousands of things that could go wrong.

In other news, keep praying that Nick's mom can get over her infection and come home from the hospital. I'm not great at math but I'm pretty sure she is going on 4 weeks of being in a Cleveland hospital (an hour from here). We all want her home and well!!!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Sunset Potential

I've owned my house 4 years now and lived here 3. The unobstructed view to the west is something that I cherish the most. In fact, everytime we are driving around and I'm like "I LOVE THAT HOUSE! I WISH I LIVED THERE!!" I now look at their sunset potential. I think a view to the west is a must. :) It's something about watching the sun sink below the fields that is just amazing. Plus getting photos like these without leaving home is even better.



PS the pond is nice too :)


Monday, June 1, 2009

The DUGGARS!!!!

Who doesn't love the Duggars, honestly? OK a lot of people think they are weird with their 18 kids, long hair, skirts, and uber-conservative values. But what is not to love? All the kids are BEAUTIFUL inside and out and healthy and it is just downright impressive what that family has done.

I'm reading their book right now and as fate would have it, I heard on the radio two weeks ago that they were coming to town! I just about flipped!! I was SO EXCITED!! I HAD TO GO!! Tonight I did and it was awesome. Mom went with me (reluctantly) and thought the program was "too churchy" but I thought it was just what it should be; I just wished the kids would have talked. They came out to smile and perform but never got the mic.

PS It was free to go to and all the money from the offering went to a children's home. The Duggars did not even accept reimbursement for travel. Wow.

PPS Josh and Anna were there and she was WAY more pregnant than I thought she'd be!