Looking Back

Next weekend is our 17 year anniversary. No, we do not have grand plans. Originally I had asked Earl to redeem all those "frequent stayer" points on his hotel rewards card and take me away for an over-nighter. I changed my mind, however, and have actually asked him for a new breaker box. I really would like to get a move on some of this home improvement stuff, and since everything seems to be waiting on the electrical components, I want a new breaker box. I know...silly girl!

Sometimes I wonder about this whole home improvement stuff. We are torn up. There really isn't any such thing as a "clean" house around here. How can you really clean with walls missing or closets only half completed? Have you ever tried to clean hardwood floors that have a worn/missing finish? It just doesn't work all that great. Admittedly, it's getting a little wearing. For an "everything in it's place, organized neat freak" like myself, this is trying on the nerves. However, I have to keep reminding convincing myself that the kids will remember the fun stuff more than the fact that the floors weren't shiny. With that, here is my attempt to capture part of our summer in photos (I've already documented part of the summer here.) Hopefully this will help me remember that raising children is more important than having a perfect home.

Nathan in his "space hat" before his tonsillectomy. (Here's a tickle your funny bone moment: When the doctor gave Nate a comic book about his surgery, instead of "Tonsils and Adenoids", Nathan read "Tonsils and Asteroids". Kind of fitting that he would have a flying saucer on his head to have his asteroids removed!)

This was taken at Zoo Montana in the "Sensory Garden".

I think the "farmer dad" would be a little cuter if I could see her face more and her forehead less...

These funny looking guys are called "Red Pandas". They're quite the playful little guys, but in this picture they seem to be saying "Go away so I can take a nap!"

Jessica entered a couple of items at Montana Fair this year. She won a blue ribbon and best of show ribbon for the pears she canned for Wassmers last year! Her photograph taken in the Pryor mountains won a white ribbon. Pretty great for a first time entry! The younger kids have all decided that they want to enter items in the fair next year. I think we are going to be busy! (Not pictured: I entered a loaf of bread and a plate of cinnamon rolls, too. I won blue ribbons on both of my entries.)

Pop Quiz!

Question: What happens when you are driving on the freeway at 80 mph and the tire blows out? Answer: This. Followed quite closely by a few rapid heartbeats and a little deep breathing. Thankfully, Earl was driving and always insists on carrying tools in our travels. Most people don't have a cordless impact wrench when changing a tire on the side of the road. He did!

Ready! Aim! Fire Water!
At Pappy's birthday party, the water balloon launcher was a huge success! In the background you can see the bounce castle that was equally popular. What a fun birthday party for my sweet grandpa. Mom, Aunt Vera and Aunt Velma sure know how to plan a great event that had something for everyone! (Yes, it was worth the blown tire to attend!)