Memorial Day Walk at the base of Mount Ellis

Just outside of Bozeman, to the east is a great piece of state land. It wanders up through meadows and willows at the base of Mount Ellis.

The flowers were farther along than we expected. The weather was better too!

Emma and her big stick. It took us a while to get going. Emma found this stick immediately after passing through the state land gate. It intrigued her for at least 15 minutes. A friendly woman walking with her dog remarked on the Wendell Berry quote: "The 1 foot journey"- referring to children and their abilities to find highly focused wonder in their surroundings.

Sid waiting patiently to begin.

Emma had a nice visit with the dog behind her. After that she was ready to head up the hill.

Emma actually took this one. I was showing her how to use my digital slr. Foolish I know. But, not a bad shot.

Emma is just learning how to ride a push-pedal bike (no pedals, you just push with your feet).

Looks like Emma was assistance free. At least for a minute or so!

Emma's Animals

Emma has taken to naming her own animals. There is "Chompy" the dinosaur; named presumably after a dinosaur character in a book.

There is also "Lamby". A lamb.

And introducing "Jeff". The Monster:

A handsome little guy, eh? That must be the reason she named him so. :-)

Slim Katie Goes on a Hike

We received "Slim Katie" from Emma's cousin, Katie O'Connell. We were a little late in getting her out. But, here she is on a Montana hike (sporting Montana-wear, a hat with mtns, river and fish and a backpack) with me and Emma.

Here you go Katie! We love you!...We'll send S.K. back to you along with a couple print outs of her on our hike. Sorry it took so long. We can't wait to see you and your family in August. 

xo, Emma, Aunt Beth and Uncle Sid

The Remodel: Stage 1

Pictures of the staging area and the guys:

Lots of Posting Going On

Sorry. But, I have a backlog of photos. Smart phones with decent photo capability are dangerous.

Below are some cute shots from a recent (warm day) adult/kid friday afternoon playdate.

The rest are from today, where Emma and Phoebe were unaffected by the snow and near freezing temps. Their enthusiasm for play (especially "pirates playing on-you-mark-get-set-GO!") was infectious.

Another photo capturing the differences in Emma and Phoebe's personalities (above). I think the photo speaks for itself. Here is my interpretation: Phoebe is very focused on her sword, roar of go and destination. Emma is excited about the go, slightly behind in getting out of the "gate" and very amused/interested in Phoebe's execution of the "go" (and possibly her deft sword/stick/wand handling while running).

"Mabel, Mabel, strong and able. How does your garden grow?"

Continued Cute Pics from Andrews Visit

These are from Linda's camera. Finally some pictures of Alissa!! She and Emma were so cute together. It was very sweet. Emma LOVED Alissa. Even more than she LOVED Linda. Sid, Jeff and I came in at distant thirds...

Emma loves bubbles and her Aunt Linda.

Emigrant Peak (very tall mtn) in the Paradise Valley on the way to Chico Hot Springs.

The walk down to the hot springs. Our chalet in the back. Emma is not smiling in this picture per se, but she loved the walk and swing game!

Emma and her very dear friend Alissa.

The ever adorable sister/aunt Linda.

Yay for cute kids and happy moms. Not especially here, because the food at this establishment wasn't that good. The smile is left over from our previous night's dinner at Chico. Divine. And Emma was great at the dinner table (at Chico, not here)....

Picture of bear (and Linda). Used to try and keep Emma out of the next door saloon. Brought by the waitress. Note other assorted toys brought out by us to amuse Emma. Note that they are all in front of the bear not Emma. I can't tell exactly, but I believe Emma is just about to belt out her "Get Down!" request (spoken often by her at this particular dinner), though she does look mildly interested in the very big, very stuffed bear.

 Same restaurant. Sid and Linda are smiling despite Emma's efforts to distract and dismay. They at least, are drinking beers.

Two naturals. Although. Linda's horse is about to take a head ditch for grass. Not a great sign of good horse control Lin. :-)

Maxin-Relaxin Jeff on chalet porch. Notice the beverage on porch rail. I believe that to be of Jack and Coke variety....

Andrews Montana Visit

For the Andrews Family visit we had it all: sun, warmth, wind, rain and snow. Unfortunately there was more of the last three than any of us would have desired.

Here are some pics from our trip to Yellowstone National Park and around the house (while it was snowing)...

Looking in south at most likely at Mt. Holmes (10,336 ft) among other along the Grand Look Road, outside of Mammoth in YNP.

This is looking east. In near foreground there is a bear and ravens feeding on a carcass! This is cool b/c Sid hadn't seen a bear in the park yet and I had only seen one.....You'll notice that Alissa isn't in any of these pictures. She is in the car at this point; she was either really into her book or didn't like the bear being so nearby...

Near Swan Lake about 10 miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs. Looking west at (most likely) Bannock Peak (10,323ft).

Good ones of the cute couple and me and Emma!

"Token Bison" shot back at Mammoth. There was alos one behind us in the grasslands at Swan Lake, but he never would come over to pose like this one did...

***

Emma and Linda at play: Lion vs. The Not-a-Lion Game

Thanks sooooooooooooo much for the visit! We had a fabulous time.