Birthday -- Friends Edition

First, there are the cakes. I am at a HUGE disadvantage because I have to make them myself and with the creativity that Wendi and Hailie possess, they want cool things. Not that I blame them... I just wish I could DO as well as they VISUALIZE.

*sigh*

But, the cakes ended up pretty well. Here is Wendi's -- she was happy with hers.


Hailie's...before the face...


and after.


(I think I liked it better before I put the face on.) I'm pretty sure Hailie liked hers. She didn't say anything, though, just smiled. Usually when she doesn't like something, she'll say it.

It was a costume birthday party (it being Halloween morning and all). We had lots of friends (some of mine came to help, too -- no, she's not hiding. She was running the fishing game.)

and some great costumes (gangster and ninja here)!


Hailie really, really loved that fishing game. I think this was about the tenth time -- she claims she was "helping" Aidan this time. Right...

One of the games we played was to see who could pop their balloon first. Wendi got frustrated because she couldn't get hers to pop. So, she got creative. And friends helped.
(See the scissors?)
Thanks a bunch to Kelly, Laurel, and Cassi for getting things rolling and keeping it going!

...and a couple other pics...

from the big Seventh Birthday Bash, family edition. (Friends edition coming on Saturday.)





For the record, they do NOT generally share birthday cakes. I made adorable (albeit amateur) cupcakes for Wendi's class (see the last post) and (huge) peanut butter cookies for Hailie's class. I will be making Wendi and teddy bear cake and Hailie a jack-o-lantern cake for their party on Saturday (per their wishes on design and date), so I REFUSED to make two cakes for this evening. No how, no way. Just one. And you friends here in Deer Lodge - yeah, expect cake on your doorstep tomorrow!



(My, that was a lot of parentheses...)

Happy Birthday Hailie and Wendi!!

They are seven, so smart, getting taller every day, and the funniest girls EVER!




Benjamin is happy for them.















So is Elizabeth.















P.S. I made these. My attempt at creativity. Can you even tell what/who they are supposed to be?

The Wonderfulness of My Wendi

(I actually wrote this a week and a half ago, but forgot it was a "draft"... better late than never!)



My very first baby. She was only five and a half pounds when I first saw her beautiful face. She was tiny! And had a cone head. She was so quiet and patient with her new world that the nurses thought something MUST be wrong - she wasn't crying at all; just looking around.

The first to crawl, second to walk. Broke her arm at 16 months old. Again at 5 years old. (Easily the two worst days of my life.) Loves princesses and all things beautiful - especially flowers. Has that little bump on her lip. Still lisps a little. Twinkling eyes. Adored by all who know her, especially friends at school.

But, that's only the easily understood stuff. She's like me in some ways - forgets things easily, laughs easily, and finds people watching highly entertaining. Like Brent in some ways - very affectionate, wants the best for everyone, and a hard worker. Her own person in many ways - wears her heart on her sleeve, plans ahead (in tricky ways!) and SO artistic!

Last night, it was a tough one. Benjamin was having a hard time getting along with everyone. Elizabeth was getting into everything she shouldn't. Hailie was throwing up. What did Wendi do? Beg for attention and pick fights with her brother? No way! Wendi jumped into action, giving Benjamin hugs and jobs to do to help him feel wanted, then holding Elizabeth to keep her out of the "danger zone" where Hailie and her yucky-ness were. Then she wants to be held and assured all is well? No way! "Dad, I'll go with you to the store to buy stuff. You will need me." He did need her.

She is a peacemaker, helping Ben and Hailie play in harmony. She is tough stuff, putting our dog in her place. She is a love, hugging and kissing and showing all that they are needed. She is SILLY, putting stuffed animals on the ceiling fan so when I turn it on, they fly everywhere and it makes me laugh. She is beautiful, taking good care of herself and liking to look her best. She is my priceless, precious, Wendi Joan! :o)

Way Cool Things About Deer Lodge, Montana

While this little town necessitates quite a different life than what we had in San Antonio (or Nampa or Ft. Lauderdale, for that matter), we love it here. Here are some very cool things about our new hometown:

GRANT KOHRS RANCH
It's a National Park (even though it's a functioning ranch) that has some neat stuff that you can do, like practice roping, ride a wagon for a tour, go to the chuck wagon, and see a blacksmith at work. (Thanks to our friends the Gilsons for being our buddies our first time there!) It's beautiful, interesting, and probably my favorite thing to do here in town.

THE OLD PRISON MUSEUM
This was actually a functioning prison (built by inmate labor in the 1800s and added on by inmate labor here and there) until 1979. Now the prison is west of town a ways, but this place has a lot of history and great stories. Totally reaffirms my desire to never be incarcerated.


CAR MUSEUM
SO many cars here that I can't even begin to describe the variety in terms of makes, models, years, condition, uses explained. I don't have a picture of it, but Benjamin still talks about the "paddywagon". :)




THE KILLER VIEW!
This is literally from my front porch looking west. I love waking up every morning and seeing the beautiful mountains. We have had fun watching storms roll in, seeing the amazing sunsets... I live in one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen (and I've seen some amazing places).


HAVING VISITORS COME
(No, I do NOT take enough pictures when visitors are here... I'll do better, I promise!)










THE PEOPLE!
Of whom I seem to have no pictures at all. We have found some great new friends that I feel like we've known for years. This is such an incredible place that I can't believe people aren't rushing to move here. It's beautiful, fun, the people are friendly (no jerks allowed around here!), and it seems to almost be a place caught in time. Kids can still wear hats to school (*gasp!*) and the principal actually knows children's names. People wave to their neighbors and chat with complete strangers while waiting in line. Other adults are willing to say something to your child if they are out of line (you know, instead of just whispering about what a bad parent you are later on). People shake hands. Everyone around here (except us - old habits die hard) leave their doors unlocked and say "come in" when someone knocks. Amazing, but true.

Hooray for Deer Lodge!

My Friend Laura

Laura Daniels. Yeah, she's as smart as she sounds.

Poor, Neglected Blog!

Long time, no blog. Here's a quick wrap-up of things you wished I'd written a long time ago.

We went to Sea World!

Fed dolphins, saw Shamu (soaked by said orca), enjoyed beluga whale show, had a blast!





Attended The Zoo... lots



Hunted Spiders


Toured The Alamo (aka Guns and Canons)




African Safari, Texas Style





Did I mention we moved? Yeah...
Cross-country drive with some cool pit stops




Home Owning


Dog Owning


View Loving


Relay for Life-ing



Fishing




School Starting


Did I mention the new skills?


Enough for now. More to come - this time ON TIME!