Crafting

A friend and I switch helping at the school and watching each other's kids on Friday mornings.  It was my turn with the kids and since Valentine's Day is coming up, we worked on some V-Day crafts to surprise their mom.

Gavin, Natalie, and Paige painting away.

Gavin seemed to be having a good time (I'll have to paint with him more often).

Kenzie is Our 1st to Get Stitches

One evening it was just about time to head to the church to go to Scouts, Activity Days, and Young Men.  McKenzie was hustling around the house feeding the cat.  She was wearing wet boots and happened to slip around the corner and her head hit the very corner of the wall, her poor ear took most of the fall.  We could tell that she was in instant pain and after examining her we were starting to wonder if we should take her in (we could even see the cartilage when the split was opened up).  Poor Kenzie is terrified of the thought of pain and she was freaking herself out.  We got a second opinion from Kelly McGee and decided it would be best to take her to the hospital in Choteau.

Poor girl...she was trying to be brave in the ER.

I think that the doctor could also tell that she was scared at the thought of needing stitches.

Ouch!  Sure enough he thought it would be best to throw in a few stitches and tried to break the news gently to Kenzie.  We tried to tell her that they would numb her first and so she asked the doctor if he could do it on her finger first, HA HA!.  I felt so bad for her yet at the same time it was slightly comical as she was in such a worrying state.  The doctor was so good to her as she asked all sorts of questions, he was great to explain step by step.  She was calmer once she couldn't feel the pain.

She was wishing it wasn't her going through this.

After getting stitched up, now her new fear is... if it will hurt taking them out!

We are glad she was able to get all fixed up and that it wasn't serious.  Guess Kenzie is our first child to need stitches and an ER visit.

My Birthday

Birthdays always make me feel loved and special.  My family and friends call and text to let me know they care, my close friends prepared a fun lunch with some of my favorites, Mckay spoiles me, the kids are on their best behavior, and Sarah was so sweet to make one of my new favorite desserts, Lemon Truffle Pie, this stuff is to die for!

Yummy!

I sure feel special, thanks to all my loved ones!  It was a great day!

Lucky the Cat

Last summer the kids ended up getting two cats. One from Grandma Thornley's house we brought all the way home from Oregon (Lila) and one later from Grandma Swensen (Lucky), they were so happy to have two pets and that the cats had friends.  Both cats were very loved so it was tragic for the kids when they headed to school in Mckay's truck one morning and spotted that Lucky was dead in our driveway.  The kids were so emotional and had a rough time even wanting to go to school after that.  I looked the poor cat over and couldn't see anything wrong (it is a mystery what happened?).  It was a somber couple of days and the kids were so tender.  It sure made me grateful that it was only a cat and that the rest of us were well.  Sure put things into perspective and this part of having a pet is painful.

I found this cat while shopping that looks a lot like Lucky did.  The kids have been taking turns sleeping and snuggling with it...

...or stuffing it in a trike!

I felt so bad for the kids and I'm grateful that they seem to be doing much better about it now.

Father/Son Camp Out

Mckay was able to slip away with Payton to a fun camp out together.

Looks like a fun group!

(Payton has some neat 11 yr old scout leaders-Brian and Pam Haynes)

They even were able to do some ice fishing.

Looks cold!

Finding a spot to fish.

Payton actually had one on but didn't get it pulled up.

So close!

From their stories it sounds like everyone had a great time!

Meeting Up With Friends at the Children's Museum

Mckay and Payton were headed off for an overnight scout camp out so the rest of us headed to Great Falls for some fun.

McKenzie, Taylor, Brielle, Gavin, and Bostyn.

Gavin thought this place was amazing and enjoyed exploring.

Brielle enjoyed dressing up.

She always has been a little princess.

Now on to another clever outfit.

McKenzie riding on a boat.

Taylor and Gavin putting on a show.

Kenzie as the dentist and Kamree as a patient.

Now Gavin is her patient (so cute).

Then we ran to Cold Stone for a treat and had fun visiting.  It was nice to buy some time while Mckay and Payton were away.

Kindergarten Class Painting Snow

The Kindergarten class invited families to be a part of their crafting on Friday.

They were given different colors of dry paint powder and sprinkled it on the snow outside, then they would smear it around and make designs in the snow.  Gavin was happy to spend some extra time with Brielle, he loves when we go to the school!

Time for a Quick Get Away

It is that time of year again and tax season is fast approaching, but before getting too busy we headed to the cabin for some time together.

The boys on the moto while pulling the girls on a sled.

Sisters sledding together.

Having a good time outdoors.

The kids were dying to go ice skating and are starting to really get the hang of it!  It is one of the things they love to do when we go to Phillipsburg during the winter.

Another awesome thing they love to do when it is cold out is head to the hot springs to warm up and swim around.  It was a rather chilly evening and some of our hair was icy when we got out...it made a fun fog/midst and the kids can never get enough time to swim.  Making memories as a family!

We made it home in time to unpack, bathe, and relax before church the next day.

We had a great time and Sarah and Dick got to be there part of the time as well, it was an enjoyable weekend!

Playing Games

I love it when the kids suggest playing games for some of their free time.  It is much better than sitting around tv/devices and allows us to interact.

Even Gavin was eager to participate in a game of headbands, it was so cute!

Chef Payton

I have been amazed at how much some of the kids have been really liking to cook/bake.  It is such a good skill to have and nice to have some extra help in the kitchen as well!  Payton has been working on a scouting merit badge and was in charge of some meal planning and then helping to prepare those meals.

Chopping away at some veggies for a build your own pizza night ... of coarse Payton would incorporate pizza into his planning.  I loved having his help, he is a great kid!

Dresses From Grandma Swensen

For Christmas, Grandma made the girls some new dresses.  She also made the big boys some pajama bottoms.

We snapped a picture of the girls in their dresses before church (photo bombed by Gavin).  They love dresses sewn by Grandma, they are unique fun to wear!

Brielle's Friend Party

To say that Brielle was excited to be invited to a friend's party at the Children's Museum would be an understatement.  She was so thrilled to attend and couldn't wait for the big day.

Before leaving her there to play, I snapped a couple of pictures.  Then the rest of the family ran some errands until it was time to pick her up again.

Brielle and some friends having a great time!

Cooking As a Family

Mckay has been craving dumplings, so when we were in Bozeman we bought a bamboo steamer and the missing ingredients to make them when we got back home on New Years Day.  The kids adore pot stickers and were excited to help and try out some dumplings.  It was a team effort, I am impressed at how much the kids actually don't mind helping with the cooking and we sure enjoy that time as a family.

Mckay teaching the girls how to assemble them.

I put Taylor in charge of making some snacks with me.  (We were going to munch while playing games as a family.)  Taylor helped make a cheese ball and some apple dip, both of which the kids loved.  I could tell it made Taylor feel so good about himself!

Gavin seems to usually be one of our "beater lickers".  He loves this assignment!

Time for some Tim Tam Slams...this is a holiday must do in our household!

Payton is also really good at helping in the kitchen, here he is assembling some dumplings.

Good work sisters.

Brielle wanted to roll out her dough and do it all on her own.

Looks great Brielle!

It is so much more fun in the kitchen when everyone participates.