Happy Birthday Joshie ~ Now you are 12!

Happy Birthday to you ~

Happy Birthday to you ~

Happy Birthday, dear Joshie!

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Twelve years old!  I remember the day you arrived on the scene like it was yesterday. The whole labor was text book.  Daddy and Dr. Batey were talking football and sons while I laid in bed listening to them.  They chatted about whether you'd have huge hands like your brother or long arms.  Would you be able to run fast or would you be solid as a rock.  It was the most peaceful delivery ever. 

You still are fascinated with how things work.  Whenever you have an opportunity, you are taking something apart or researching how something works.  You are growing into a thoughtful young man; you constantly try and help your younger brothers even when they don't really think they need any help!  You would prefer to build something rather than finish your English most days, but you still persevere.  

I love you, Joshie!

Love,

Mom  

Building a seat with Kolby from lumber scraps in the junk pile.

You love to swim and would snorkel all day given the opportunity.  

Happy Birthday ~~ Now you are 12!

Archery Camp and Ousel Falls

Long-ago, in the month of August, Katherine and Eric attended an archery camp near Big Sky. They won the camp earlier in the spring, and Shannon thought it would be a fun opportunity for them, as well as educational.  I was a bit reticent.  I didn't know anything about the organization or the people that were facilitating the camp, but since the kids were going together, I reluctantly agreed.  

They borrowed a small tent from Grandpa, packed their backpacks and we drove them down to the hills below the ski hill.  The scenery was amazing and as they pitched their tent among the other campers I knew they were going to have a fantastic time.  I was a bit concerned that Eric would have to cuddle up with Katherine at night due to the fact that he had decided that he didn't need warm clothing.

Their four days at camp sped by, and although they froze one day they enjoyed getting to know other future archers from around the country.  Some had even traveled from Connecticut to spend a weekend in the wild.  They had packed their recently acquired Catholic sweatshirts and were able to evangelize a bit, which was their intention upon including them on their clothing list.  They are much braver than I often am!  

Eric won 1st place in his archery division, which I attribute to his new glasses.  Katherine was selected as a future camp counselor due to her organization and leadership skills.  We picked them up Sunday afternoon exhausted but happy and ready to return next year.  Of course, they would like a few friends to accompany them next year!  

    

Big Sky country at its finest ~

Ready for camp to begin ~

We walked into Ousel Falls on our way home.  

Typically when we are searching for waterfalls they are a bit more remote and there isn't a marked trail head.  We ended up driving past the parking lot a couple times before we realized this was a simple waterfall to locate.  While the falls were beautiful, there were so many people that it wasn't quite as much fun as usual....people frown on several kiddos swimming and wading around when they are there for the scenery!

  

I'm not sure that Eric and Kathering have been so glad to see sunshine as they were on Sunday.

The day prior it had rained, keeping them huddled around fires when they weren't our shooting their bows on the archery range.

  

First place among the intermediate archers ~ and a $50 gift certificate.

Completely tuckered out ~

You can thank me for this picture in 20 years, Eric.

Off to University of Mary

Last weekend was an exciting, yet pretty emotional time.  We spent the week preparing to take Michaela back to Bismarck for college.  Shannon, Michaela, Max, Katherine and I left Friday afternoon with a pickup loaded with M's worldly possessions.    

She worked her tail off this summer taking classes as well as working so that she wouldn't lose a year as a transfer student.  Following her final exam she said she'd NEVER take a summer course again. Within 48 hours, the misery must have subsided because she was plotting how she could become an EMT next summer.
And have a job.
And go rafting more.
And babysit a family or two.
Dear me.

As we drove east, the tears and an enormous lump in our my throat grew by the mile.  Saturday was blustery and rainy as we moved Michaela into her dorm, which kinda matched my not-so-happy attitude.

Michaela's sweet friend, Marie, stopped by to say goodbye and help load the truck.

These girlies will miss each other, but I pray will remain friends.  

Ready to roll....now we just have to wait for Dad to take care of some last minute business.  

Nothing like prolonging the anxiety!

Finally!  

A dorm room to call my own!

Sisters~

Soon Kath may be joining Michaela.

Whiule trying to decide whether to accompany us or not, 

Kath asked, "Do you think it will be harder to say goodbye at home or if I go along?"

Tear....

Windy city, Bismarck is.

We told Michaela to go fly a kite.

Even though it was difficult to begin the next phase of this "raising children journey," it was awesome....kind of a hurts so good kinda thing.  (yes, I just totally dated myself)
Monsignor Shea, the president of the college, left our hearts completely at peace as he delivered his homily at Sunday Mass.  But it's been even better since then as Michaela finds her niche, her groove, and settles in.  Her voice is happy again.  She's loving her professors.  She's growing in ways that I'm not sure she would have had she remained at Carroll.  We'll see what the future holds, there are going to be tough times and difficult classes, but this day, this moment, is good!       

Last Days of Summer

It always seems like our summers end in a flurry.  Suddenly, I can feel fall in the air and want to cram as much as possible into any given day.  We hardly did anything exciting this summer, but with Michaela leaving this year, we had to fit in a couple extra things before she left.  

There's always days at Grandma' pond

and this kid is catching up to Joshie as a professional animal catcher.  

Max loves the water.

Actually, he loves throwing stuff in the water.

Hanging out and drying off ~

"Hmmmm, I'd really like to get in on the action......"

Steven dropped by to take the girls for a ride in his car,

but it broke down before they could leave the driveway.

This was after I lectured him about driving too fast with my girls.

I guess I shouldn't have been so worried.

Brothers ~

A born teacher, Katherine is.

Michaela loved A & P, especially the dissections, so she 

had a little class on dissecting a brain, heart and eyeball.

Gag a little bit.

Kolby and Joshie visited our burn pile only to find treasures that Shannon had discarded, 

but they transformed into a chair.

Two little turkeys ~

I still can't figure out what this was about ~

They were super-excited about making ice cream, 

until they realized it took longer than 3.5 minutes.

Their enthusiasm petered out quickly.

While heading out for a hike, Kath kept warning us that we should have brought bear spray.

I reassured her we wouldn't even see a bear.

I was wrong.

I will never live that one down.

Hiking to Lodgepole Creek Falls

We should have brought rappelling equipment.

The girls!