I Never Claimed to be an Artist!

No one ever accused me of being artistic - in any way, shape or form!  So the other day Kailer and I were playing with playdough and this was the best  I could do .....

Not the greatest creation, but I'm pretty sure I could at least design horses for Gumby and Pokey - if they still existed!

Beautiful rainbow out my front window!

Camping 101

The day before our journey to Wyoming for the 4th of July, Dan and  I decided that it was time to take the plunge and buy a camper!  We've been looking for years (quite literally) and finally found one that had what we wanted and most importantly at a price that we could afford.  So I signed the papers the night before we left and entrusted the rest to Dan the next day. (Man, I'm a brave woman!) :) 

After waiting nearly 4 weeks to take our Maiden Voyage with her, we finally 'set sail' last week.  We were so excited.  Dan decided to pull the camper out of our backyard the night before so I could get things loaded, we could get water in it, etc.  Lesson 1:  Do not leave the t.v. free-standing on the counter when moving the camper - PERIOD!  Thankfully the glass didn't shatter, but the t.v. did break after falling.  Good thing it was my original dorm-room t.v. and was probably on its way out the door anyway.

We got to our destination on Tuesday afternoon after fighting the wind the entire way.  We hopped out, got 'er pulled into our spot and I went inside for Lesson 2: the medicine cabinet does not stay shut while traveling.  Note to self, "Put toiletries under the sink until we arrive at our destination."

Kailer quickly adapted to camping and had a great time playing in the small stream that ran through our camp site.

My wildflower bouquet that the boys picked - how precious!

Kailer crossed this bridge multiple times during our stay there ... back and forth, back and forth .....

Somewhere around this time of R&Ring we learned Lesson 3:  The cheap plastic door latches that are on the screen door break easily!  Ooops...I broke the latch while inside with Kailer and Dan outside.  It's probably a good thing that Dan was outside, as he was able to unscrew the broken handle so I could get out.

The best part of the whole trip ... S'Mores!

No privacy!!

The next day we decided to take a hike over the mountain....

Kailer hitching a ride.

Being a passenger is hard work!

Needless to say, the rest of the day was tough for our little man.  Once we got back from our hike and had a nap he was vomiting all over the place for the rest of the day/night.  Lesson 4:  Don't fret the small things ... the camper wasn't meant to be new/clean forever!! 

Thursday before we left we hit the Potosi Hot Springs (a.k.a. Hot Pot). 

Definitely feeling better!
Unfortunately the feel good bug only lasted until Friday afternoon when I picked him up from daycare and within 10 minutes of being in the car he was vomiting again.  Poor little guy has been sick ever since ... the doctor has recommended pushing fluids and bland foods (slowly), but we'll probably be headed into the doctor tomorrow.  We're all fighting some nasty stomach bug (enough is enough!), but poor Kailer is affected the most!

So all in all our maiden voyage went well and we look forward to being able to do it again (hopefully soon) with a healthy little boy and a few less mishaps!!

Museum of the Rockies

The Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman is well known for it's fine display of dinosaurs that were mainly found by Jack Horner.  Needless to say it's quite a display to see and the whole museum has a lot to offer ..... to someone who's over the age of 2!!  With that being said, however, they do have a very cool room called the Yellowstone Room that I had heard about.  So while the Mayland Grandparents checked out the museum, Kailer and  I went to the Yellowstone room.  Let me tell you, some people have all the creativity in the world - especially when compared to me, who has NONE!!

Here Kailer is playing in a tree house set up in the room; complete with binos!

Just checking out the scenery.

Time for a little fishing.  This was way cool - the fish attached to the pole with magnets.  They had booklets that you could fill out with the stats on your catch - even a measuring board to see how long the fish was and I.D. the species. 

Old time cook stove (where Kailer was making lunch), along with many different outfits (i.e. firemen, cook, park ranger) that kids could play dress up with. Of course Kailer wouldn't do that for a photo-op!

Daddy and Kailer checking out the (temporary) live frog display.

In the Yellowstone room they had animals scattered throughout that were made of recycled things ... very ingenious in my humble opinion!

Circus Fun!!

Papa Martin and Grandma DJ flew into Belgrade last Saturday night .... and we managed to keep them on the go while they were here.  They got in lots of quality time with Kailer (lots of hide 'n go seek, tractors and motorcycles) and we even managed to slip in a trip to the circus in Three Forks. Not knowing what to expect, we decided to check it out.  With a hefty price tag, we were hoping for a star performance!! 

Introduction - here come the clowns!!

Kailer and Daddy by 1 of 3 elephants!

Family photo-op!  Mmm, snow cones and PB&Y (that would be [Y]ogurt - yes, I'm one of "those moms" who restricts my child's sugar intake!)  It should also be noted that Mr. Kailer was offered (and briefly tried before taking it out of his mouth) cotton candy 3 different time and he didn't like it! I know, is he a normal kid?!?

Every kid needs a blow up monkey on a stick. Poor monkey doesn't have a chance!

Elephants parading around the arena!  Boy when I "pick up after" my dog I use a grocery sack ... these poor lads had to use a giant shovel and a garbage pail!!

Planning his escape!

Mommy (briefly) caught two monkeys!

Kailer and the monkey trying to escape......

All in all the show was good for Montana standards and it lasted nearly 3 hours ... not bad for $64 (tickets), $8 (snow cones)  $5 cotton-candy and $6 (blow up monkey)!  They sure know how to rip you off - but we had fun and that's all that matters, right?!?

4th Of July 2011

Started off first thing in the morning with a swim

So very graceful!!



Aunt Jamie and Kailer "dinosaur riding" - this will be an event at the County Fair next year.



Trying to light the sparklers .... needless to say, we're pretty sure these sparklers were at least from 1980.  They would NOT stay lit for more than 15 seconds.

Kailer was worried about Aunt Jamie's fireworks background; he chose to be the fire chief!

Waiting for the big "boom" -- which never happened!

Chuckwagon

While in Newcastle, and for something out of the ordinary, we decided to take on a new venture and go to a Chuckwagon feed that is located just North of town near Mallo Camp.  Not knowing what to expect, Jamie, Kailer and  I put on our jeans and prepared for cooler weather and possible hungry mosquitoes!  Much to our surprise, it wasn't very cool and the bugs really didn't start to bother us until the end of the evening.

Before heading to the Chuckwagon, we made at trip to Custer - this is Kailer in front of an old tractor that was downtown.

Kailer and Aunt Sandy .... not sure he's too interested in the antiques!

Giving Mommy a bouquet of wildflowers -- aah, what a sweet kid.

YEAH ... getting to be a little boy .... playing in the dirt!

Cruisin' in Aunt Sandy's Jeep - he LOVED that thing!!

Storybook Island

Over the 4th of July weekend, Kailer and I went to WY (of course, Dan had to work) and we decided we'd take a shot at Storybook Island.  I believe that I was probably 5 or 6 the last time I was there and needless to say, in my mind at least, it's changed quite a bit.  It's so funny how everything always seems to much different when you're little.

In the house made of bricks!

Yeeee-haaa!

Catching a free 'ride'!

Raggedy Ann and Andy's House

Yogi's Picnic Basket

Checking out the train engine, but there was  NO way HE was going to ride in the car ... he wanted to drive!!

Vrrrooom!

Pretty hideous donation box.

Tow Mater

Our very own local Tow Mater!!  I was hoping to get a picture of Kailer next to the truck, but if there's one things we've learned about Kailer, "if it's not his idea, it's not going to happen!"