The Schmoore Ranch -What's it called?

Ok, so I can't remember the name of Jim's Homestead, something with a J? Anyway, all of ya'll who haven't seen it are missing out! We got to join Jim and Beryl for a nice evening with Grama today. Had a great dinner, did some early birthday celebrating with Grama, and visited the cool new horses recently acquired by Jim and Beryl. Duchess and Cowboy are their names but Cowboy is the primary one pictured here. Such a beauty! In one picture, Jim is so excited about his horse, his head is aglow! :) The kids got to go for a few little bareback rides and Mikayla is completely hooked. In fact, Grama was trying to talk me into getting a dog for the kids while Jim was convincing Mikayla that a horse would be great. Before you know it, there will be two ranches in Utah. :) Anyway, had a great night, hope you enjoy the pics.

Recent Philpot Adventures

Lately, the Philpots have taken up some mighty hiking adventures. With each passing weekend, the pace quickens and the smiles widen a bit to make the experience even more enjoyable. Just look at the grins on those girls! Short lived however as school started back up last Thursday. The end of summer, such a bummer. Into fall we have Kesiah kicking a soccer ball, Carter playing flag football, and hopefully we'll have Mikayla enrolled in piano and Kaitlyn not yelling at us anymore. Our youngest is enjoying her favorite new words which tend to include "no", "don't", and "mine". Anyway, hope all is well with the rest of the families. Oh, and thought I would include this picture of Piper from the family picnic as it is SO adorable.

Happy Anniversary, Buyskes!

A very happy 4th anniversary to Matt and Kelly!! It would be much sweeter if you could spend it together, but you will be in our thoughts and prayers. We hope you have the chance to talk to each other and share part of the day. You are a very special couple and we love you both.
Love and blessings,
Dad and Mom

Happy Birthday, Meggie!!

Let's give it up for this new little mama and wish her a very happy 25th birthday. She has accomplished quite a bit in the last few months and we are so proud of her!!! We hope that you have a special day, Meg!! You know how happy we are that your little family is nesting in Helena! It gives us a chance to make your favorite meal for your birthday!! We love you!
Mom and Dad

Cribbage!

I just wanted to brag for Grandma and I that we beat Nick and Ben three games to one on Tuesday night. We actually let the two Wingerter boys win the last game to keep their spirits up. Thanks, Grandma, for the great night. It was great kicking Ben's and Nick's butt with you!

kids o' rama

kiddo's on the front porch at grandpa johns,
they are hilarious!

school starts soon, and the kids are using up the last days of summer begrudgingly
little ones are doing well - truman got stung on the lip yesterday and looked awful with a HUGE swollen lip
poor guy.

read underwear is doing well, slow but steady -
exciting to finally have it up and running.
check out our blog if you want a laugh,
we usually write posts late at night when we are super giggly...

click here: readunderwear blog

i've been researching football stats and i think i'm pretty much ready to take you all on!

oh yeah... show me the money!!!

Happy 5th anniversary, Miranda and Nate!

Saturday marks Miranda and Nate's big 5th anniversary!! Hope you have a fantastic day today! We love ya...MOM and DAD

who's reading your underwear?

What's black and white and read all over?
WE ARE!!!!
After the toil, the terror, the time...
we now spend our sundays reading the funnies in our undies!!!
My site is up, so let's kick the tires and light the fires.
please help me get traffic to the site,
tell your friends, your brothers, your sisters, your cousin's great uncle Art.
Tell all that they can now don the most fantastical undies in the UNIVERSE!!!
www.readunderwear.com is now a reality!!!
I'm so excited, i'm babbling like a monkey on banana day...
Check it out and tell me your thoughts, your ideas
and of course tell me how your new underwear fit!

Happy Anniversary, Bortens

Thursday marks anniversary number four for Briana and Peter, and their first wedding celebration with Sabina on the outside. Congratulations, you two. We hope the day finds you able to take a break from all the busyness and spend some quiet time as a joyful family. Love you a bunch!

Back to business

Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes. I had a wonderful time at the family picnic. Here is a nice sunset from Saturday.



Just as the bliss this picture depicts, I am also quite blissful because I PASSED MY BOARDS!!! That's right, I'm now an official unofficial nurse practitioner. I still need to get my NP license from the state, but I finished the hard part! Now I can relax a little.

We also put in an offer on another house, so hopefully it will be accepted and won't have any structural problems, AND we could move in before I start working. I know, it's a lot of wishes. Have a drink tonight to celebrate. Heck, it's Friday!

Happy Birthday, Ann!

Closing out the long string of July birthdays is today's celebration of Ann's Arrival Anniversary. Here she is pitching beanbags in Briana's backyard. Happy Birthday, Annie!

Happy birthday, Miranda!

(This is a photo of Miranda in front of the chapel at Duke. )

Happy 28th birthday Miranda. Hope you have a fantastic day!! Good luck with the studying and all our best for your BIG licensing test on Friday. We will be thinking of you and praying for you throughout the morning! Love ya tons!! MOM and DAD

Family Picnic 2008

Big thanks to John and Ann for all their hard work in putting together the family picnic at Holter Lake this year. Also, huge thanks to Ryan for bringing and captaining his family's boat all day. We had a great time seeing everyone, and look forward to seeing you in October.

More picnic pictures HERE!

Happy Birthday Nate (Missouri)!!

Happy, Happy Birthday Nate, Mr. "Show Me State" man. Can't believe you're 23 years old. My how time flies. Hope you have a great day and a great year ahead. It was wonderful to spend the weekend with you. You were pretty lucky to have been able to spend your Birthday weekend with almost the entire family.

We're very proud of you.

Love,

Mom, Dad, and Shannon

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RY

Happy birthday to Ryan. Great dad, husband, and cool brother-in-law! Not to mention, the reason why we have a boat this weekend! Hope you have an awesome day today Ryan!! Glad to see how things are working out for you!

jen

The State I'm In

Last year, when everyone suddenly realized that the number of members in our family was approaching the number of states in the Union, some of us sat in Grandma's living room and hammered out which state each of us represented. Briana heroically chronicled the results here.

Since then, there has been much discussion (alright, some discussion) about how everyone can more fully identify with and embrace his or her state. Some have suggested, for example, that Nate actually move to Missouri. Perhaps a good way to start is for everyone to just have one simple but interesting fact about their state at their disposal, to be shared in some manner at the family picnic. For example, Nick (being so enamoured of lovely Arkansas) could let us know that last month the mayor of Helena, Arkansas took all the dogs from the local animal shelter and released them into the wilderness to live as dogs did in their glory days before domestication. Or you could tell us something with a bit more historical relevance. Up to you.

Signed, New Hampshire

(p.s. the above map displays percentage of citizens who are obese - way to go Montana!)

Happy Birthday, WD!!

I don't have a picture to post, but wanted to send out a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Billy!! I hope that you have a chance to enjoy your day - maybe gamble a little and go out for dinner! We are thinking of you on your special day and will raise a toast in your honor tonight! Have a great day!

Happy Birthday, Samuel Jesse Wingerter!!

This is a photo of Sam doing what he loves to do! We spent today, his 15th birthday, watching his junior boys' little league all star team play. They had two games today. Unfortunately, we came up a bit short this morning against Butte all stars. But this afternoon, we beat the Missoula Jumbo little league team to advance and play Butte again tomorrow.
So send a shout out to Sam and wish him happy days and good luck at the tourney! We love you tons, Samster!

The Count Down to P-day Begins

We (Sabina and I) are so excited to see the family next weekend! Yeah! Peter will have to miss this year as he can hardly breathe he has sooo much work to do on his book, doctorate, etc. before the highly anticipated graduation day of August 29th!
This summer we have been blessed with a visit from Oma Ann and Opa John around the 4th of July and a fantastic trip to San Diego for Desirees bridal shower - which was delightfully fun and included meeting her amazing-welcoming-sweet family, meeting Piper (she is so perfect!), and hanging by the pool with my mama and Maurika in the beautiful California sun. The Dragontree had a 5 year birthday party that was a huge success and the Clearing Cafe is getting busier every day and expanding our menu!
I can't wait to see everyone. (We're counting the days to P(incnic) Day)
love
Briana

Oops - A Great Montana Summer

Abe's picture of a great summer in Chicago was great, but I just don't think it can get any better than spending time with the three grandbabies. Ben took right to the pool and William wasn't quite as thrilled. Grampa Marc bought William his first pole and they fished up at Grampa Bingo's! And of course, Tyson! He was talking to Grampa Marc in this picture. I hope everyone is having as great a summer as we are. We are looking forward to seeing you in our area next weekend - yahoo!!

The Perfect Summer in Montana!!

Landscaping project

On Sunday, quite a crew gathered to plant the front-yard area at Mom's house. First off, kudos to Ryan for (1) overseeing the concrete-curbing installation and (2) leveling the ground and placing new sod over the rest of the old spruce patch. It looks great! (Ryan had to forego the planting for Guard duty.)

The planting crew consisted of Ben and Jake (nice prep work, too); Jen and Molly (they got along pretty well); Marc and Jan (they got along pretty well, too); Mary and Madison (joined at the hip, I think); and Connie (batting cleanup). Charlie Rice helped with some of the early weed work, and Mike Hollern donated and delivered the rock.

All in all, it was a great early birthday installation. Great work!

Poirier Reunion

Grandma recently traveled to Phoenix to partake in the John Poirier family reuinion. Here is a great picture of her and her brother.

Grandbabies

Our Independence Day trip took us first to Missoula, then to Portland. Here are some photos of the Maurika's and Briana's babies. Fun!


Maurika and Piper and Briana's hat.



Truman, in tru form.



Ann and Sabina.


The Borten family.

Happy 1st Anniversary, Meg and Ryan!!

From bride and groom



to
Mom and Dad






in one short year!! From Kentucky to Great Falls (with plans to move to Helena)things are changing in this first year!! We all wish you the happiest of days and hope that you enjoy your night out knowing that Tyson is in good hands!!
Love you both very much!!

Happy Anniversary to the Newest Parents of the group!

I am sorry that I don't have any pictures, but I wanted to wish Meghan and Ryan a wonderful 1-year anniversary before it was over in Japan! What a way to celebrate the first year than with a newborn! You two are very special and thank you for taking all the pressure off Kelly and I as the bearer of grandchildren for Mom. :) Love you two.

Anyone else with a picture please feel free to post on top of me.

Love,
Matt

Well I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July weekend.

We had a great 4th that was highlighted by a good 5K race and my recently aquired horse being ridden in the Grantsville parade by a student in the local riding academy. He is a 6 year Paint gelding named "Cowboy". Beryl also got a horse, a 15 year old quarter horse mare named "Dutchess".

Saturday evening we went for a beautiful trail ride up in the Oquirrh mountains.

The Rocking Goat Ranch just keeps growing.

Happy 29th Birthday, Matt!

Hope you find some time to celebrate, Lt. Buyske! Glad that you're able to access the blog now, too. Posting this early, considering you are already part way through your birthday over there. Love you and miss you!

Tyson Marck Schulte

Welcome to the world, beautiful nephew! We're so glad you are here. Now, do this first time auntie a solid and sleep well tonight - your parents will definitely appreciate it!

Love,
Kelly

Oh Happy Day!!!

We are excited to announce the birth of Tyson Marck Schulte on June 28th at 10:40 am. He weighed in at 8lbs. 6oz. and measured in at 21". Mom, Dad and baby are doing great!! I will have Kelly post the picture that she took of Tyson on his birth day which is a gorgeous picture. The two Grammas were in the delivery room with Meg and Ryan and it was pretty awesome! Both Meg and Ryan were troopers and Ryan has the daddy role wrapped up! Stay tuned for pictures!

Happy Birthday, Molly!

Another Happy Birthday girl is our sweet little baby, Molly who is 21 on the 26th. I am posting this early to make sure it gets on the blog!! We will be in Great Falls celebrating both birthdays! A very happy day to a special little girl! We love our June girls!!

Happy Birthday, Jen!

We celebrate 23 wonderful years with this beautiful little girl who has grown to be quite the woman. Happy Day to you, Jen! I am 15 minutes early, but that is okay - we wanted you to have a FULL days worth of celebration!! Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday, Briana!

Hey, it's late in the day
But I feel the need to say
That we celebrate the birth
Of a woman of great worth

It's Briana's day in June
And I wouldn't be picayune
To observe that on this date
It's birthday twenty-eight

So I hope that you will find
A little time to keep in mind
That Briana and her daughter
Are being happy like they oughter

Yes, and Peter, too ...

Happy Birthday, Bri!
I hope it was as wonderful as you.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Hey guys! Sorry I didn't come home for the big day, but a drive from The Lodge to Missoula to Great Falls to Billings didn't sound too appealing. But happy 28th anniversary anyway! You are a beautiful married couple and the best parents ever! Love you guys a ton!
Nick
P.S. To everyone else out there wondering why I am at The Lodge: I was just a volunteer this week at Legendary; my post at St Thomas starts next Sunday.

double whammy but no picutres...sorry

So I am currently at work as I post this, using the government issued computer, so needless to say I don't have any pictures to go along with this, but it is the thought that counts. First, I would like to wish John and Anne a belated happy anniversary! I hope you two had an amazing day!! I would also like to wish I happy birthday to my wonderful mother!! She turns older today, doesn't matter the age because after 21 the birthdays lose their meaning! :) Just teasing! I hope you have a great day mom!! LOVE YOU!!

JEN

Summer Arrives in Chicago

Happy Anniversary

Happy 33rd Anniversary yesterday, Mom and Dad. I hope you spent it doing something more exciting than this. Love you both and look forward to seeing you next month.

Also, happy Father's Day to Dad and all the Pops and "pops to be" out there.

Love,
Mike

We made it!!!

First off, thanks Mom for posting the birthday post for Nate. His new boss took him out for a drink, so even though his family wasn't there to celebrate with him, he did get to have some fun. We survived our second nearly cross country move and it was wonderful thanks largely in part to mom and dad who watched Emma for us. Our current info is

My cell 406-839-1039
Nate's cell 406-839-1041
Address (for now) 115 N 35th St Apt 6 Billings, MT 59101

Nate started his job at the beginning of June and seems to be enjoying it. I still don't have a start date because I have to take my certification test before I can start, but I have very much enjoyed being a full time Mom. Our house hunt has so far been unsuccessful but we are optimistic. Feel free to stop by if you are in the neighborhood!

Happy Birthday, Nate!

Today is Nate Meunier's birthday, and Miranda had to go to Denver for a class. So send a shout out to Nate and wish him a happy one!

Love ya Dude!
Jim and Mary

An Exciting Schulte Update

Okay - it's not baby news yet. The doctor gives me another 2 weeks to go. Heck, with the snow, I've had a pretty nice 9th month - no heat at all!

Anyway - the REAL news is that Ryan has been hired at Helena High School in the History department. YAY! We are pretty excited (and relieved).

And yes...that is the same school Mom is working at.

Yes...that means son and mother-in-law will be working side-by-side.

Yes...that means we are moving to Helena and thus are fulfilling the grandparents' dreams of having a grandchild in town with them. Hm....maybe we should reconsider.....JK!

So thank you for all the thoughts and prayers as we went through an interesting last few months trying to figure out where we were going to be. Now we just need to figure out a place to live in Helena - eek!

Law practice

Abe and Desiree practice law in a large firm.  Perhaps they'd be interested to know what it's like to practice in a small town.

 

Harlowton has about one thousand people.  A lawyer who practices there will know them all -- and, therefore, everyone on a jury panel. 

 

Mr. and Mrs. Lammers -- Art and Rose -- were among those being questioned on voire dire.  I asked Rose, "Suppose you and your husband are both chosen to serve on the jury. Would his view of the evidence determine how you vote?"  

 

Her answer, "He'd better do what I say."

 

Jim (the elder)

Happy Birthday, Abe!

I'm at a remote site, so I can't put up a photo or anything. But I do wanna send a shout-out to Abe on his 34th Birthday. Hope it's going swimmingly, bud. Looks like the coming year will be a big one for ya.

Wedding Website

Hey all. Here's a link to our wedding website. Also I put it over there on the right under the other links. Look forward to seeing you at the picnic in July.

Hey there, Moore Family!  Matt just left for his 6 month deployment on Thursday.  We miss him so much already.  He has arrived at his duty station and found out that he cannot access the family blog, which really bummed him out, so here's his info if you're so inclined: 

email:

matthew.buyske@auab.afcent.af.mil

(the epitome of) Snail Mail:

MATTHEW BUYSKE

CAC 4

PATRON 46

UNIT 25453

FPO AP 96601-5919

Matt said NOT to include his rank in the address, whatever the reason, although Mike is welcome to salute him whenever he feels the urge.  ;) Things tend to get a little monotonous out there, so he loves shout-outs from siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, and grammas!  Hope you are all well, and hope to see you in MT sometime soon.  With love,

Kelly, William and Benedict