Mark Your Calendars!!

Hello my wonderful family! Most of you have heard that last week Shane proposed to me and I excitedly accepted. It has been a wonderful and exciting time for us and we are so looking forward to celebrating with our family. We have set a date for Labor Day weekend next year. We will hold the ceremony on August 30th. I know that some of you will not be able to attend because you have previous plans, and we will miss you. Thank you all for accepting Shane in to this family. You are all so wonderful and I love you so much. I am one lucky gal!

Hey, Coach!

Yesterday, the Helena paper carried a story about Ryan. He is now head coach of the Helena High softball team. Best of luck to Ryan and the Bengals!

Happy 27th, Nickolas!

Sorry to post over Jimmy's birthday wishes and I should have done this yesterday for Nick since his birthday is over where he is...but Oh Well!
Nick joined our family 27 years ago after Jimmy jinxed my pregnancy by saying the baby would be born on his birthday.  Of course his birthday was a few days past my due date so I wasn't too pleased!  Nick and Jim spent quite a few birthdays together when they were both much younger!  I hope you both have/had a great celebration of this special day!
Here are a few pictures of Nick in the big sandbox as he calls it~

Love you Nickolas!  and I can't wait until February~

Happy 50th, Jimbo!

Today our youngest brother turns 50! Mom and all the siblings gathered at Mary's house yesterday for barbecued teryaki chicken and pumpkin birthday cake. We also had fine pasta and potato salads, supplied by Connie and Jan. Jim is in fine form -- hardly looks a day over 49. Have a great one back in Boise, bro!

Happy Birthday, Shannon!!!

September 17th means we're only 6 months away from St. Patrick's Day... BUT more importantly it's Shannon's 26th birthday!!!  Happy Birthday to the best sister a brother could have.  Shannon celebrated a little early in Billings/Bozeman last weekend with a Bobcat football win and some time with family and friends.  I'm proud of all you've accomplished in your 26 years and can only imagine what #27 holds for you.  Here's to another year full of fun, health, and decorating a new house!

Love ya.







Madison Jo is sweet 16 today!

Maddie was all smiles even first thing this morning!  She had a full day at school then volleyball practice.  We had a great meal with Grandma as a guest.

Maddie is an awesome daughter, a great sister and a fantastic friend to her many buddies.  She is rockin' her sophomore year at Great Falls Central and is an outside hitter on the varsity volleyball team.  We love you tons MadJo!  Enjoy this day and this milestone year!

Here are a couple more photos and my badass VB player!

 

 

Love you tons!

Mom and Dad



10 Years!!!

10 Years Straight!!!  Streamers and Balloons Included!

Today marks a very impressive achievement for my dad: 10 straight years of either running or walking at least 3 miles... literally without missing one day! He's up to 6 miles/day now and through colds,  a very busy travel schedule, tons of below zero days, and countless other obstacles, he has had the dedication to getting his workout in. It's  crazy to think about 3,650 straight days of doing anything, let alone working out.

When he started his workout streak, Beyonce's "Crazy in Love" was #1 on the Billboard charts. I was a freshman in college in my first month living with Jake in North Hedges. 'W' had just started his second term. Travis Lulay was in his second year as Bobcats QB.  The Griz had Craig Oochs under center.  Ah the good ol' days.

Please help me congratulate my dad on this very awesome and inspiring achievement.  Here's to 10 more years, pops!



Dad with his new best friend and running/walking partner Zorro (On loan from his son)

Another one of Dad and Zorro

Jen's New Digs!

Marc and I flew to Jacksonville, FL over Labor Day to help Jen unpack her house and settle in.  She has a neat house with a great yard in Jacksonville.  When we got there late Friday night, I looked around at all the boxes and wrapped things and immediately had a beer!!  We worked and played so it was a great weekend!  We watched ND do their thing and cheered them on!  We got to go out to eat at some fun places!!  And we took five bags of trash at a time to different dumpsters!  She had thirty big black garbage bags full of packing material so it was an adventure.  I have posted before and after pictures!  It definitely was a good time - just could have been a little cooler for this old gal!!  The first pictures are pre-unpacking!

The guest room

The work-out room

Jen's bedroom

The TV room with the office in the background

Closer look at the office

The living room

The kitchen

These will be post unpacking pictures

The workout room

Jen's room

The kitchen with new things!!

The TV room

Another view of the TV room

The living room into the kitchen

The fireplace

Living room

Lots of books!

The guest room with headboard

So, we got the job done and it felt really homey!  Looking forward to going back when the weather is a little cooler!!

Brothers

I thought I'd post a picture of the three brothers at a time when we all have facial hair. We had a great gathering of six (the three brothers, Jeanine, and two dogs) over the weekend at Georgetown Lake. Toured Jim's property and tried to figure out the boundaries. We also toured other sights in the area and had lunch in Philipsburg. Played a couple cribbage games, as well. Nice time.