Ben the Handyman

In a long line of things breaking down (washing machine, dishwasher, Brent's calf, dryer) the pump on our well was on the fritz.

Well, Fritz is up and running again.

Ben helped the "well man". The guy had a big green truck with tools in/on it and a flashlight, wrenches, and the clincher: there was a big tow-type rope on the back. This is the best shot (although still not a good one) of Ben helping.

Thanks to Doug-the-well-man for letting Benjamin help!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Being undeterred by the great St. Patrick's Day Debate of '08, I decided that a hairdo would make Wendi and Hailie much easier to deal with this year.

Hailie said, "Just a ponytail, Mom. Thanks."

Wendi said, "A ribbon, too, right?"

Well, this is what the outcome was.


I tried to follow the instructions on the "Cute Girls Hairstyles" blog.

Wendi was thrilled.

I'll keep trying.

This is one of the many cool things that we "do" here in Deer Lodge. In the winter, when everything is frozen solid, this is used in a positive way and a make-shift ice skating rink is made right next to the football field. There are lights and all. It's kept nice and slick. The kids really liked it... especially the snow banked up on the sides. :)

Elizabeth

She's SO funny. And, she likes to show off that she can walk. Enjoy her burgeoning skills and "so proud" face... I can't get her to stay back until I start the video -- of course, so she may seem REALLY close. :)

I Lost the Blogging Bug... it's back

I haven't posted in an embarrassingly long time, especially considering how many holidays we've skipped. Here's some of the more recent fun you've missed!




(As you may or may not have guessed, Wendi was the impetus for this "parade".)

Benjamin wore his first tie.

(No, he's not flipping me off under the glove. He's showing the glove... at least I think he's not...he is a Goldthorpe boy...)

Elizabeth is SO grown up! (She walks, too.)

That was at a high school basketball game where Wendi and Hailie were "Mini-Warden Cheerleaders"! I have videos and I'll post 'em soon. They're hilarious!

What About Halloween?!

It's hard to get Benjamin to want to be anything for Halloween, let alone wear said costume when the holiday rolls around. But, he knew what he wanted to be this year and he was so good about putting it on and taking it off when asked. What a hero!



This is Wendi and a friend, Chloe. (Wendi is the tooth fairy, by the way.)


Here is Hailie and Chloe's little brother. (Hailie didn't want her glow in the dark face paint that night. It doesn't translate well in pictures anyway.)


Love holidays where candy is so important! :)

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!