Life is Busy Busy

Yes, I realize it's been a while since the last post and for that I apologize. It seems we've been really busy with all kinds of random things. As there have been to many things happen in the last month to tell you all about them one by one, here is a brief summary of what we've been up to.

The boys waiting patiently for brownies to come out of the oven after helping me bake them.

Having fun throwing everything out of the toy box!

"Giddy-up horsey!"

"Whooaahhh!"

"We love our Grandpa!"

This picture was taken outside of Absarokee when we drove over to visit my Great Aunt who was visiting from Alabama.

The boys and I went and stayed with my sister and her husband in Laurel at their new house for a couple nights and while we were there we took them to Zoo Montana. Here are a few pics from our time at the zoo:

A Weekend Getaway

A few weekends ago we traveled over to Missoula for a cousin's wedding. We got to stay in a nice hotel (thank you Mom & Dad) and got to visit all kinds of family from Brian's side that we haven't seen in quite some time. Cedric got to meet his Great Grandpa & Grandma Schultz for the first time along with several other family members and the boys had lots of fun splashing in the hotel swimming pool. We all enjoyed ourselves and the boys did great even though their schedules and naps were thrown out of whack. Here are a few pics from our trip.

"Wow, Mom! Look at this huge leaf I found."

Brothers

"I bet if I keep trying I can climb all the way up this rope and get on top of the tent!"

"Mmmmmmm. That was a yummy cupcake!"

Visiting with family during the wedding reception.

Ben eating a lemon during lunch one day.

His reaction!

Ricky's reaction after eating a lemon!

The boys and their Great Grandma & Great Grandpa Schultz

Taking the Kids Home

This last weekend the kids and I went with Dad and Mindy back to Absarokee and Columbus where I spent much of my childhood and where both of them were born and raised. It's the first time I've been back in a really long time and it was fun having the kids with us. Brian had to stay home for work and kept busy completing a surprise for the kids (will show pictures later).

Although the main reason for our trip was to attend a funeral for my Grandpa, Eward Roy Heifrin, it was still enjoyable catching up with family I hadn't seen in way too long. The day after the funeral Dad took the kids and I to the family farm to pick up a tractor. Ben got to drive the tractor and both boys were all eyes watching the cattle and horses that came up close to inspect what we were doing. Afterwards we went to the "Dew Drop In" (an old restaurant I went to a lot as a kid) and ate lunch and had ice cream. It was a fun walk down memory lane!

We went to the Pickle Barrel for dinner one night and discovered that Cedric loves pickles. We couldn't hardly make him eat anything else on his plate!

Have you ever seen anything cuter in a store window?

Driving the tractor with Grandpa.

And by himself, too!

Ricky's turn!

A Day With the G's

On Saturday the boys and I drove over to Helena to visit Grandpa and Grandma G. for the day. We just hung out at the house, had a nice lunch, and let Ben play outside while Cedric took a nice long nap. We even got to see my cousin Andrea and her two boys Christion and Devon. It was great to see everyone! Here are a few pics of our day:

Here's Ben moving rocks with this front loader... what fun he had!

Ben and Grandma G. taking a walk in the yard.

Grandpa G. helping Christion and Devon fly the super cool kite. Unfortunately, the wind wasn't blowing quite hard enough to get it flying for long, but it was fun trying!

Hi Ho, Hi Ho... To Helena We Go!

This last weekend we took a little road trip over to Helena to visit Grandpa and Grandma G. Ben didn't care for the ride in the car which makes it hard on everyone, but we survived and it was well worth the trip. Helena was having it's summer fair and parade while we were there and it just so happened that Mindy was forced to be in the parade for work... so went to cheer her on! I think Ben's favorite part of the parade was all the candy he got to try for the first time. He enjoyed Tootsie Rolls, Smarties, Starbursts, and even his first Grape Ice-pop! Other high-lights from our weekend were riding on a four-wheeler, taking the boys swimming, eating tasty food, relaxing with Dad and Mindy, and seeing my cousin Andrea and her family for the first time since Thanksgiving. Also, Ben saw his first water snake up close and personal and he wasn't afraid at all! It was a great weekend that went by way too fast.

Ben and Grandpa at the parade.

Here are my cousin's two boys (Christion & Devon along with a friend Cody) watching the parade and patiently waiting for candy.

Brent, Brian, and Cedric keeping cool under a tree.

Here's the truck Mindy rode in during the parade commemorating the 75th year of the NRCS.

"Get me out of here!" she says laughing.

Going for a little ride.

Hanging out on the porch swing Sunday morning.

"Nice kitty."

"What big teeth you have!"

Examining bear claws.

Bay Watch Boys look out!

Having a little conversation.

Cedric goes swimming for the very first time!

"Mama... the sun is so bright!"

Warming up with Grandpa after the swim.

Sharing watermelon - yummy, yummy!

Back to Butte

This last weekend Butte was hosting the the National Folk Festival and family from Arizona was in town, so naturally we took a little trip over to Butte for the weekend for all the festivities. We didn't make it to much of the Folk Festival because it turned out to be a bit complicated with two little ones who desperately need their naps, but we did see a couple performances including some Native American singing, dancing, and drumming which Ben thoroughly enjoyed! It was really nice to see the family that was in town as it's been a year since we've seen them and they were able to meet Cedric for the first time to top it all off. It was a nice weekend of visiting, eating, and soaking in Mom and Dad's nice new hot tub! Here are some pics from the weekend:

Ben playing the piano with Grandma

Cedric making faces with cousin Nick.

"Top that one Nick!"

Talking up a storm!

Snuggle time with Great Grandma

Snuggle time with Aunt Carol

Snuggle time with Grandma

(Cedric did a lot of snuggling!)

3 generations soaking in the tub!

"I could get used to this!"

Ben and Grandpa having fun in the swimming pool!

Ben and Mama having fun in the pool... and yes, I am still in my clothes!

Ben slept in a big boy bed for the first time and he did great!