Jerusalem Rocks

This is Jerusalem Rocks or as the Border Patrol Agents call it "Little Jerusalem." Aaron had told me about this place but he had never taken me there so when Morgan and Katie came to visit this weekend we decided it was a good time to go. It is right off of the Canadian border, so about 30 minutes away from us and it is so beautiful and interesting. I could have walked around for hours.

Penelope was in school, so it was just Sullivan, Aaron, Eleanor and I in this picture.

 Morgan and Eleanor.

Eleanor was really nervous at first when we started hiking around on the rocks but she gradually became a good little hiker, even while carrying her little puppy and his "leash."

 Aaron and Sullivan

There were so many gorgeous formations and holes in the rock. I guess wind is good for something after all.

 Katie

 The Thinker, otherwise known as Morgan.

 Isn't this amazing?

 Sullivan climbed this rock all by himself. He really thinks he is just as big as everyone else.

 We thought this looked like an elephant. What do you think?

We had so much fun with Morgan and Katie and were sad to see them go. I guess we will just have to go to San Francisco for a visit.

Gates of the Mountain

My brother, Morgan, and his wife, Katie, came up to Montana this weekend for a quick visit before Morgan has to start school again at Stanford. On Saturday we went on the Gates of the Mountain boat ride with them and Janet and John and their family.

 Sullivan warmed up to Morgan and Katie quickly.

This is the Gates of the Mountains. It "closes" or "opens" depending upon where you are on the river. It was a gorgeous day except for the smoke in the air from a fire in Idaho.

Eleanor sitting with John and Janet on the boat. Aunts and Uncles are so much cooler than Mom. 

The water was really cold but the kids couldn't resist putting their feet in for a quick dip. It was good of John to make sure my kids didn't fall in. :)

Little Bits of Cute

My friend, Lisa, has dubbed this the "Summer of the Yellow Dress" for miss Eleanor. We got this dress as a hand-me-down from LaDonna's daughter, Kelby, who is now a senior in high school. Yup, it is about 14 years old but still in good shape and it is Eleanor's favorite dress of all time. If this dress is clean, Eleanor is wearing it. There is no arguing with her. She would wear this dress every single day if she could.

 And who could blame her for wanting to wear something that makes her feel like this?

I went on a little hiking trip with my friends, Colleen and LaDonna, for my birthday and while I was away the kids decided they needed to make me some toys as a present. (Doesn't that sound a little like "honey, I bought you a gun for your birthday?") Anyway, Penelope told Aaron what she wanted and how to make it. So I came home to a flower transport semi-truck with a removable trailer . . .

and a tractor. Of course, I am not allowed to play with these. Or so it seems. Because Sullivan screams loudly in protest every time I touch them.

And for the last little bit of cute; chubby cheeks in a helmet.

First, First Day of School

My good friend, LaDonna, and I were talking the other day and we realized that this is their family's last, first day of school and our first, first day of school. There are lots of first days of school ahead of us and what a great way to start off. Penelope was so excited and had fun choosing her outfit and how she wanted her hair done. And I surprised her with a cake (K for kindergarten) which she got to eat after school.

Penelope just had to share the excitement with Eleanor. And Eleanor just soaked up the one-on-one time with Mom that she got that day.

When we got to the school Penelope tried to convince me that I could just drop her off and she could find her classroom just fine without me. Ummm, no. I did let her go in by herself on the second day (and I followed her closely to make sure she made it there ok.) Today I was brave enough to let her get out at the curb and go play in the playground until the bell rang. I didn't even get out of the car. Go me!

And Sullivan just likes to have his picture taken. Although, he really did miss Penelope all day. He kept saying "Pelpy? Pelpy?" And then I would reply she was at school and he would resume playing. After his nap I went in to get him and he was being a little grumpy, not wanting to get out of the crib. As soon as I said "Let's go get Penelope from school" he was up and jumping up and down in the crib. "Pelpy! Pelpy!" Cuteness.

We have all day kindergarten here in Montana and I really wish I had a camera on me as Penelope was walking up the hall to me at the end of the day. She was exhausted. But a big piece of delicious cake took care of that problem in a hurry! What a great first, first day of school.

Fair Time

We have had such a fun and busy week. I feel like I haven't been home at all in the last 3 days and Aaron's parents are coming to visit on Tuesday and I have done nothing, nothing, to prepare for their visit. But it was worth it to see my kids having so much fun this week.

We started off with the pet and doll parade on Thursday. Sullivan and Eleanor rode in the wagon and Penelope walked. I got Sullivan's little firefighter jacket at a garage sale that very same day. It worked perfectly with our firefighter hat.

 Eleanor didn't really care what she wore as long as it sparkled and was pretty.

 Penelope was a fairy princess who forgot her wings in the car. :)

On Thursday and Friday we went to the fair. Thursday we looked at all of the exhibits and animals and Friday we did rides. It was so hot that we brought spray bottles to keep the kids cool. We went with our good friends, the Young family, and so here is Sullivan with Silas. Spraying each other of course.

There was a little play area for small children that had musical instruments, bowling, soccer, drawing, ball pit, etc. I think we went back to this spot 3 times.

 Oh yes, snow cones were also a great way to stay cool. And as an added bonus they were so yummy!

Penelope couldn't get enough of riding rides. She and her friend, Kael, could have kept going all night long. Their favorite ride was the Tilt a Whirl.

 Eleanor and Kael.

Sullivan LOVED this ride. I took him off of the ride and he just cried and cried so the girl who was running the ride let him back on and he rode it 4 more times in succession before he was willing to get off. I think it must have been the steering wheel that he loved so much.

Saturday morning was the Fun Run. Penelope and I did the 1 mile in 7 minutes, 20 seconds. I am always amazed at Penelope's running. She just kept a nice, steady pace the whole time and didn't stop once. She and I both won in our age categories. I tried to get Eleanor to run but she just wouldn't. Her reason? She wanted to wear her pretty shoes. :)

 Penelope won sunglasses, a sports bag and a water bottle.

 Kael, Penelope, Eleanor and Silas after the race.

 Sullivan enjoying the apples that they had at the race.

After the run, we went to the parade. The kids had a great time seeing all of the participants but by far their favorite thing is the candy.

Aaron actually got to go with us to the parade. Here he is being his normal goofy self, carrying the chairs back to the car.