8-17, Acorns for Dinner

Every four years, our scrub oak trees produce acorns.  This is only the second time since living here that we've seen this happen.  Sure, it's a dirty mess walking to the mailbox, but the reward far outweighs that little annoyance.  The deer LOVE (love, love, love) the acorns.  Our driveway has turned into a drive-through restaurant for these families.  They can been seen out there nibbling away at all hours of the day, but come dinnertime it's standing room only (hahaha... I crack myself up.... sorry....).  I'm loving our new basement door, too.  Because there's a screenless window in it, I can take some photos before opening the door and risking scaring them away.  But, they've come to not be threatened by me and my camera anymore.  I took these photos either sitting just inside the entryway with the door open or even sitting just outside the door.  They're not scared-- they're just hungry.  The mamas don't seem to bring the fawns around to our yard until the babies are a few months old.  (Other neighbors even have the babies born in their yards or their yards are used as the safe hiding places when the babies are much younger.)  The babies aren't as small and wobbly now, but I feel rewarded with having our yard be the go-to place to hang out now that the acorns are falling!

7-31, Blackhawk

If you don't know who Blackhawk is then you're missing out on one of my favorite bands.  They were really big in the 90s (no, that doesn't date me at all, so stop laughing....).  Ironically, this Montana girl wasn't much into country music until I moved to... yep, New York!  There was such a mix of people at the academy, that you got a little bit of everything (just as with the city itself).  Once we finally had radio privileges, you could hear the voices of Jimmy Buffett and George Strait carrying through the halls.  Blackhawk was my favorite.  Blackhawk is still my favorite.  In my New Orleans days, Arvo and I went to   the county fair in Mobile, Alabama, to attend a Blackkawk concert.  It was only appropriate that I got an email recently from Arvo saying, "Blackhawk is playing at the Douglas County Fair in Castle Rock on Sunday!!"  So, we rushed down from the weekend of wedding festivities and went to see Blackhawk.  I must say that Colorado gave them a pretty lame welcome.  (I'd like to think it's Coloradans and not the band itself....) Let's just say it was an 'intimate venue'.  But, all the better for us.  We started in the stands and, just like the music in the KP halls all those years ago, it carried us down from the bleachers to the arena right in front of the stage.  Simply put, it was awesome.  To be only feet away from these talented musicians (and much closer to the blaring speakers that I'm pretty sure cut some years off my hearing-life) was amazing.  Sadly, it wasn't quite the same as the last concert I'd attended with Arvo, because since then they lost one of their trio to cancer.  But, I give them credit for staying true and doing what they love despite their loss.  I was a little surprised that Em wasn't loving the concert because she's all things music and drums.  I think she was a little shell-shocked with it all.  She sat on Sven's shoulders and blankly took it all in.  While she was taking it in, so was someone else-- the lead singer.  In between songs, he looked straight at us, said how much he loved 'the outfit'-- she was wearing her red shorts, red shirt with "Born in America 2016", her Colorado Rockies hat.... and Sven's lawn-mowing ear muffs.  She was a SIGHT.  He loved it and said something to the effect of looking like a jet fighter.  Lol..... Then, he threw us his guitar pick.  How cool is that?  Yep, Blackhawk is STILL my favorite.  Now that a few weeks have passed, Emalie constantly asks if we can listen to Blackhawk and if she can wear (her ladies size small!) t-shirt.  Yep, she's a fan.  And as Arvo said, "they cutest little fan they have!"

7-29, Keystone Weekend

When our family spends a weekend in the mountains, it isn't usually in a condo with a Starbucks across the street.    This weekend was different- really, really different.  Sven was a groomsman in a wedding and the bride was from the resort town of Keystone.  The wedding was held at the top of the mountain-- two gondola rides from the quaint resort village.  Through the bride, we were able to arrange for a babysitter for the kids.  Of course, this date was different, too, because I spent the majority of it with the other left-over spouses whose husbands were also in the wedding party (really, I'm saying this laughing...).  Much to my surprise, this event was a blast!  The venue was amazing (if only I had taken a few photos of it... duh....), and it was so fun spending time with new and old friends in the spirit of the Navy life (yes, I miss it.... already....).  This was a well-deserved break away from the ordinary, and I'm so glad we were able to be a part of it.  Speaking of 'out of the ordinary', Sven's friend and his new bride are off to Canada for their next duty station.  How about that?!  Good luck to the beautiful couple!

Me and my new friend -- another Montana transplant!

Doesn't he look dashing in his blues?!

Kings Pointers are notorious for meeting up in the strangest places.
Here Sven is with his college roommate!  How awesome that we were able to arrange this little rendezvous during his vacation from MN!

A beautiful place for a picnic.

The Colorado mountains are starting to grow on me... a little.

Finally, green!

Umm... yeah.... my dream house.

Sorry, now you, too can have this song stuck in your head for the rest of the day!

Dillon Reservoir

Skipping rocks.

I do enjoy being at this lake because the setting reminds me of Flathead and Montana.

See the snow?

I love the symmetry of this walk in the woods.

6-30, Montana Highlights

I can't believe it's already been two months since we've been on vacation.  I can't believe I'm still trying to get caught up on all the photos!  So, in the spirit of efficiency, this is a vacation highlights post.  Enjoy!

The Dinosaur Museum

It's pretty cool to think you can reach out--- and touch a dinosaur!

You're never to old to get caught in the spirit of the REALLY OLD.

Wow, right?!

Somewhere between here and there.....

We pulled into Hamilton just in time to treat Sven (and Grandma!) to a nice Father's Day dinner.  (Grandma doesn't know what she's in for sitting between these two!)

Sven's Montana Vacation Bucket List:  hang out in town at a coffee shop.  Man, oh, man did we scratch that one off the list (over and over and over).  Thanks, Jackie, for introducing us to the best coffee shop in town!

A trip to the German brewery for lunch.  Excited kids and a happy Grandma and Grandpa.

It seems like we introduce Grandma to a new brewery every time we visit her.  LOL....

Me, my grandma and a beautiful garden bouquet for my grandpa.
(How funny that we're the turquoise twins, right?)

A happy 29th birthday to me with my family!

This kid doing what he does best....

....and learning it from the master.

Me and my grandma.  Love her!!

No trip back home is complete without a tractor ride at Uncle Darryl's.

Emalie's Montana Bucket List:  ride horses (yes, we think ponies count).

Happy girl.

This animal lover has a tender heart.

Cousins reunited: Kade, Emalie, Nik and Lauren.
Too bad we couldn't have gotten them all together!

He's adding fly-fishing to his repertoire.

Look at this cute crew!

How fun to hang out with Uncle Thad in the Bitterroot!

Just relaxing by the river!
(Thanks for the great photo, Nik!)

I spy with my little eye..... Emalie playing cards with Great-Grandma.  Too cute.

The Bitterroot Mountains.

The Bitterroot River.

And a final goodbye to Aunt Jackie, Uncle Darryl and everyone else back home.



We Miss You All!!