Butterflies and Bees

How many butterflies you can find on this bush?

You can click on the picture to see it closer.

The lilac bushes have been covered with butterflies and bees. The pictures to try to show how many do not do it justice. You just cannot see how many there are hidden in the flowers and flying around. I'll bet there were hundreds. It was really neat. They would let you get so close. I thought it was a neat photo op. I had fun taking lots of pictures. I hope you enjoy a few of my favorites.

Memorial Day

We were lucky enough to get a little time and a couple of pictures at the cemetery before it started rain. It rained for most of the weekend.

For those who don't know, Jada rests near her Grandpa Burton in the Afton Cemetery.

We had a nice trip, although we really missed not having Gerry with us. We stayed with Greg and Lori the first two nights. It was nice to see them and the kids. They are always so good to put us up or put up with us, which ever it is, anyway we really appreciate them. The kids sure love being pampered by their kids. They are always so kind and patient with them. Warren and Vicky were also there. I was glad to spend a little time with them in the cemetery before they headed home. The last night we got to stay at my Grandma and Grandpa Putnam's house. We always treasure the time we get to spend with them. It is fun to watch my kids with their great-grandparents and I am grateful they get the opportunity to get to know them. Sue, Casey, and Hunter had also been visiting and were heading out that day. We got lucky enough to get to visit for a little while before they left. We also got to spend a some time visiting at my Aunt Jane's house and saw the rest of the family briefly at the Auburn cemetery before we were too soaked from the rain. It was good to see them also. We really enjoy these special times we get to spend with family.

End of the School Year

These are the wonderful teachers that Allie, Kyle, and Karlee had this year. I still believe it is one of the hardest jobs out there. So we give a big shout out and thank you to them!

After 3 field trips and a couple of "fun days" this week, the kids are officially done with this school year. Kyle went to Thermopolis to the dinosaur museum. Karlee went to the Billings Zoo and Allie went to Red Lodge. The weather was really nice for them and they all had a fun, safe time. Journee found out that middle school doesn't get to have quite as much fun at the end of the year as the elementary does. She did however have a day of play. They got to have a paper airplane contest and played kickball. The elementary's fun day got rained out so they moved it into the HS gym. Not quite as much fun as playing water games outside but as you can tell from the pictures the kids still had a good time. They all end the year with great report cards and lots of fun stories and memories.

Allie will miss having Natasha at school with her next year.

I thought I would include a couple recent pictures of Talon. He likes to play peek-a-boo out of his play pen. He ducks his head and then comes up grinning and laughing. He also loves to wrestle with his dad. He is a bit braver when it comes to being tossed around than his older siblings were. One of his other favorite things to do is to growl. You can hear him throughout the house, especially when he has found something he likes to play with.

Here is the house as of Friday morning. We have had SO much rain the last couple of days. It is just a big mud hole around it. The kids and I are leaving for Star Valley tomorrow morning for Memorial Day. Cordell is coming to help Gerry work on the house. We are excited for his visit and help. I hope I will have some new progress pictures to post when I get home on Tuesday. :-)

I picked a bunch of lilacs to take to Star Valley with me to put in the cemeteries. I am excited that they are so pretty right now. Usually they are all gone by Memorial Day, but with this weird spring weather we have had they are just right. They smell so good and have always been one of my favorites.

Tagged by Teri

Thanks Teri, and I mean that very sarcastically. No, it is okay. I have never done this tagging thing before either so I will be a good sport.

A- Attached or single: Attached
B- Best Friend: Gerry
C-Cake or Pie: Pie
D-Day: Saturday
E- Essential Item: Computer
F-Favorite Color: Green
G-Gummi Bears or Worms: Worms
H-Home town: I guess it would have to be Green River, Wyoming if I have one
I- Indulgences: Symphony bar with toffee and Sonic fruit slushes
J- January or July?: July
K-Kids: 5 girls 2 boys
L-Life is incomplete without: To be honest it feels incomplete every day without Jada and would without any of my family
M- Marriage Date: July 9, 1993
N-Number of Siblings: 2 sisters and 2 brothers
O- Oranges or Apples: Depends on the season
P- Phobias or Fears: Heights, especially when my kids are around
Q- Quote: God will not permit any troubles to come upon us, unless He has a specific plan by which great blessing can come out of the difficulty.
R- Reason To Smile: Happy kids
S- Season: definitely Autumn
T- Tag Four: Erica, Trimbles, double tag Vicki, Pam (now you have a good excuse to get that blog going)
U- Unknown fact about me: I am not very proud of this one, but I spill on myself every time I eat, I am not sure if it is because I usually have a child in my arms or just my general clumsiness, ya I think it's just me
V- Very Favorite Store: one I can actually buy something in other than laundry soap
W- Worst Habit: late night snacks
X-Rays or Ultrasounds: ultrasounds if they are looking at a baby and not gallstones or something similar
Y-Your favorite food: fresh fruit and potatoes (fried, mashed, baked, it doesn't matter)
Z: Zodiac Sign:

Birthday Wishes

Today is Warren's, aka "Pops" birthday. He has been such a wonderful addition to the family, always ready with a warm smile and hug. He is so patient with all the kids, climbing all over him and wanting to be carried around. We think he is extra special!

It is also my nephew's birthday!

Jace turns 4 today. Kyle was so excited when he was born because he wouldn't be the only boy cousin on the Hyde side. We think he is a special guy, too!

We didn't want to leave the girls out. Andrea and Karen both celebrated another year on Sunday and Tiahna had a birthday Saturday. We wanted them to know we love them, too. Happy belated Birthday ladies!