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!

Go Spurs!

As part of the rewards for good attendance at school, Wendi and Hailie got free tickets to a San Antonio Spurs game (with another paying ticket, of course, so "free" is a loose term). Brent braved the crowds and took not only Wendi and Hailie, but Benjamin as well!

Apparently Hailie and Wendi are born sports fans. Brent said this was a rare moment that they sat, so he hurried to snap the picture. Otherwise, we just have blurs!


Benjamin said it was "so loud!"


Ah, the benefits of living in a city.

(Underwater) Easter Fun!

About a week before Easter, there was a cute little activity at the Natatorium called the "Underwater Easter Egg Hunt". Sounds fun, no? So, for a dollar each, I signed up Wendi and Hailie. Only kids five and over could participate, so Benjamin will have to wait a couple of years. :o(

They were anxious to get started!



"The Haul" was waiting...


Strategizing...


And, theeeeey're off!

Did you notice that they're not actually UNDER the water? Yeah, this is the kiddie pool.

With the bunny afterwards.


No, there wasn't candy in the eggs. The kids just traded them in for goody baskets that were somewhat "questionable". Some of the candy looked like it had been opened, was a couple years old, etc. HOWEVER! There were commemorative Frisbees, so all was not lost. :o)

WAY too long!

(I'll try to most more regularly and not group them together so badly as I'm going to do over the next couple of days.)

The title, however, refers not to my lack of blogging, but how long it has been since we've seen some of our old friends. A month or so ago, one half of one of our very favorite couples we got to know in Florida was in town! Scott (minus Caitlin and little Rowan) was here in San Antonio for some training. Hooray!

While we were in Florida, there weren't any of the aunts or uncles around, and eventually Wendi and Hailie (since Benjamin couldn't talk yet) called them Uncle Scott and Aunt Caitlin. Thanks for visiting, Uncle Scott!

By the way, Ben is still saying, "What's his name?"
Me: Are you talking about Scott?
Ben: Yes, Scott. Where is him?
Me: At home with Caitlin and Rowan.
Ben: He can come to my house and play.
Me: I'm sure he will again sometime.
Ben: Today?
Me: No.
Ben: Caitlin can come today?
Me: No.
Ben. Okay. :o(





Also, not too long ago we saw another of our favorite Florida families (who are in Texas, too - just about two hours away), the Greene family!!!

We met in Austin (an hour for each of us), but we wanted to meet at the University of Texas and the campus was SO full of people, we decided to meet at a nearby park... not the neighborhood I'd buy a house in, but it was fun.

And after ALL the work it took to get together, can you believe I took NO pictures of my adorable pregnant friend Krishawn who is having twins?! Or, the eldest son, Jonathan? Neither can I!

Hailie talking to Joshua... who she still has a crush on...


Jeff holding Landon. Landon's such a handsome little dude! Even after he took a big bite of dust.


Good to see you guys!

An Ode to Ben

There is a little boy we call Mister Ben
He loves to torture his sisters - again and again.
One day he found their markers
And then he really drove them truly bonkers.

He colored the walls, the furniture, the beds,
Which was quite disturbing for our little coeds.
He wouldn't give them back, no matter how they begged.
Finally, Ben relented, said yes, and later reneged.

This is quite tiring work, you see
For a little boy who just turned three.
Opportunity comes! There it is! Upon him it did creep!
But a silent claim: "I'm not giving them back, even if I am asleep!"