Feeling the Fall

This last weekend Matthew had a three day weekend! Can you believe it?! We decided at the last minute that we were going to go up to visit Ganga and Boppa in Sandpoint, ID.  Even better, we decided to take Dana, Brian and Penelope with us! It was a perfect getaway. We played games - Dana, Ganga and I made jelly and jam, & we all drove over to Green Bluff, WA to go to a pumpkin patch and go apple picking. I am now feeling the fall!

Backyard Waterpark

Today was a beautiful 78°F and not a cloud in the sky. Matthew was working and needless to say Garrett and I were getting restless! So, crossing my fingers I suited the little boy up in his new swim duds and turned on the sprinkler. My fearless little man stepped right in. For the next hour and a half we had our own backyard waterpark.  What Fun!

Click to enlarge 

Finally Spring in MT

Here in Montana it is finally starting to feel like spring! And let me tell you, we have been trying to enjoy every minute of it. It makes me so happy to see the sun shining in the morning when I wake up and hear the birds chirp out my window.  However, the best part about the flowers starting to poke their heads up is that fact that Team D is no longer stuck inside. HALLELUJAH!
Garrett has loved learning to play on the playground, swing on the swings and ride his trike (although still not tall enough to reach the pedals). Enjoy these first pictures of the season. :)

Click Pictures to Enlarge

Poem Time on Disney Junior

Once again I am sorry that I have gotten off the blogger train for a while. I think I need to do some updating!  I am not going to do all my updating today, but I do have a very quick story to tell.

This morning as I was watching Disney Junior with Garrett and Matthew as they showed a little segment on poems, then shared a poem read by Jennifer Garner. By the end I had tears in my eyes and Matthew was laughing at me. But I thought it was so sweet and had to look it up so I could share it with you!

My heart is like a fountain true

that flows and flows with love to you

as chirps the lark unto the tree

so chirps my pretty babe to me

There is not a rose wherever I seek

as comely as my baby's cheek

there's not a comb of honey bee

so full of sweets as babe to me

There's not a star that shines on high

is brighter than my baby's eye

There's not a boat upon the sea

can dance as baby does to me

No silk was ever spun so fine

as is the hair of baby mine

My baby smells more sweet to me

than smells in spring the elder tree

So in my heart does baby dwell
A little flower blows on the tree
My baby is the flower to me

Ten thousand parks where deer do run

Ten thousand roses in the sun

Ten thousand pearls beneath the sea

my babe more precious is to me.

Updates to come, but right now I have to go hug and hold my little one. <3 

Scissors Success

Garrett is growing like it is going out of style, speaking of style (don’t you like my sweet transition), this last week we took him to get his very first haircut. He was a Champ! No tears were shed (even by Mommy), no yelling or screaming, and out of the salon came a handsome and well groomed little boy. 

{D} Chronicles 2011 Edition

I have to say that this year Christmas has completely snuck up on us. I don’t know if it because we have been so busy with our almost-walking little boy, or because Great Falls has had a very warm December and we have yet to have any snow that is willing to stick around.  Nevertheless Christmas is a week away, and I could not be more thrilled.  This week has started off in stellar fashion with the birth of Penelope Kaydee yesterday (Dec 19) to our best friends Brian and Dana (mentioned often on this blog); I am happy to report both mom and baby are doing great!  I expect the rest of the week to continue in a similar manner.  Big plans include driving to Sandpoint, Idaho on Friday to spend Christmas with the Kelly/Cline side of the family and we can’t get going soon enough. Then, it’s back to Montana to meet up with Matthew’s parents to kick off the New Year.

2011 has been a rewarding year that has gone by in a blur. Good thing Laurel got us a camera last year so that we could capture as much of it as possible (not that I could get around to blogging most of that L ). Matthew has kept busy this year continuing to save the world from nuclear destruction one 24-hour alert at a time. He upgraded to commander which is a great way of saying more responsibility but at least he has a better sleep schedule.  He was also selected to go to Barksdale, LA to compete in the Global Strike Challenge against our other missile bases and brought back some hardware by winning the best Weapon System Operations trophy with his crew partner John as well as the best Operations Group trophy for the Malmstrom team by having the best combined team score.  To brag on him a little more, he is also working hard on his Master’s degree while being the best dad and husband of all time. Don’t know how he does it all, but he does.

Garrett has gone from being completely dependent on Mom and Dad to already wanting to do almost everything on his own in just ten short months. He is a new joy and a new challenge every day.  Just when I think he’s occupied with something, I look up to see that I need to be looking for him again.  Thank goodness I have women’s bible study at our church, the 490^th spouses club, and the local MOPS group to continue to encourage me, get parenting tricks, and remind me to savor every moment.  I am so thankful for the ladies here who I love to laugh, cry, and let my hair down with. 

This next year is the year of travel! We will be attending a couple of weddings across the country, not to mention a trip to England this summer for Matthew and I to visit some friends and maybe catch some of the Summer Olympics!!  There will also definitely be a trip to Denver in March for some much needed time back in Broncos Country.  So, my short Christmas letter turned into a long one, but I hope you feel completely up-to-date. You did choose to come to our blog on your own accord. J Many blessings to you and your family this Christmas and in 2012! 

“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom” – Psalm 145:3

First Crafting of the Season - Bar Stools

 So about a month ago I decided that I wanted bar stools but I didn't want to pay 30+ dollars a piece for them, so I decided to make them myself  (well sort of make them myself).  I went on craigslist and found some old ugly brown stools for $5 each. I painted them white and distressed them. Then got some scrapbooking paper on super sale at Michael's and decoupaged them. I think they turned out great! All together I think I paid about $25 total for my three bar stools! Here starts my major crafting this fall and winter season. I can't wait!