Trip Part 2: Convention Days

Sweetness...
a kiss for Great Grandma...

Sitting so tall...

Benjamin & cousin Evan

Picture taken by Benjamin...

Our new Niece!

We are so excited to have a new little niece in our family. I'm seriously counting the days until I can hold & cuddle with her. If you haven't seen pictures of her yet, check these out. I think they are absolutely beautiful. Kyla has talent!!

Speaking of which...Russell & I are doing something fun - taking an online photography class together! We're a bit behind because of our trip, but the best part about it being online is that we can go at our own pace & learn together.

Trip Part 1 - Heading north

as promised...pictures from Lindsborg, Kansas


the largest railroad classifciation yard in the world!
covers 2,850 acres, 315 miles of track
handles 10,000 railroad cars in 24 hours
mechanical forces fill locomotives with 14 million gallons of diesel fuel every month

America the beautiful...

Happy to be out of the car...

evening time near Miles City, Montana

our trip

Round Rock, TX to Wolf Point, MT

• 1 minivan
• 4 days at convention where we found rest for our souls despite the natural storms we experienced
• 5 tires - yes, we had a flat tire on the dirt road 5 miles from the farm (10pm in light rain & swarm of mosquitoes)
• 10 nights away from home
• 24.5 hours one way - not including stops
• 1660 miles one way
• countless happy memories & pictures

More to follow...

Memory Lane Monday: The Farm

Benjamin meeting cousin Morgan - Thanksgiving 2008

We are having a grand time at home on the farm today. It brings back so many memories for me and I can't imagine how many it must bring back for Russell. Benjamin is enjoying every minute of our time here...exploring the farm, looking for bunnies(he's heard lot of stories about his cousins looking for bunnies, so this is his mission as well), spending time with Grandpa Larry, etc.

We were at Dagmar Conv this past week. While I can't say it was an 'easy' convention, our hearts were richly fed & it was well worth it. Our moments throughout convention with Grandma Ruth were very special too.

Now we're thinking about the drive home (24+hours!) and a familiar place to lay my weary head.

hosted by From This Front Porch

Memory Lane Monday: Lindsborg, Kansas!

We love stopping in this little quaint town to stretch our legs, enjoy the culture of Little Sweden, & window shop as we make our way thru the heartland of the midwest. I believe this is our fourth roadtrip to Montana & we always make time to spend 15 minutes in this lovely little town. We had a fun time here today. {Sidenote: we're having a great trip!}

Here are a few pictures of the first time we discovered Lindsborg
September 2004...


When we get home we'll post pictures of our time in Lindsborg on this trip.

hosted by From This Front Porch

Got Zucchini?

We're enjoying zucchini from our garden. Thanks, Amy, for this great recipe. We loved it and since it made 2 loaves, we shared it with our friends!



Zucchini Pineapple Bread

3 c sifted flour
1 t salt
1 t soda
1/2 t powder
1 1/2 t cinnamon
2 eggs
2 c sugar
2 c grated zucchini
2/3 c veg oil
1/2 c egg substitute (I just add another egg to the above 2)
2 t vanilla
2 8-oz cans crushed pineapple, drained

Combine flour, salt, soda, powder, cinnamon in large bowl. Beat eggs with mixer at med speed until foamy. Add sugar, zucchini, oil, egg sub, vanilla - beating until well blended. Add zucc mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Fold in pineapple. Spoon batter into 2 loaf pans coated w/ cooking spray. Bake 325 1 hour. Cool 10 min in pans on wire rack. Remove from pans and cool completely on wire rack.

9 months

the little things I don't want to forget...

-21.5 lbs (75th percentile)

-30.25 inches long (95th percentile)
-not a mommy's boy or daddy's boy...he seems to love everyone equally
-is the happiest when playing with his brother
-favorite place is to stand is at the bathtub & he attempts to get in
-navigates at least 5 stairs (going up, not down)
-is a bulldozer...if something is in the way he'll go over it, under it, or thru it to get where he wants to go
-loves his little pooh blanket & thumb when he is put to sleep in his crib (I have rarely seen him suck his thumb except when he is in his crib...for which I'm thankful!)
-bald on top...but blonde short hairs are getting a longer
-will fall asleep in great Grandma Burnette's arm quicker than in anyone else's
-wakes 1-2 times at night to get some milk & cuddle time with mommy
-says dada dada but we're not sure he knows what he's saying
-is growing out of his clothes too quickly (has been in 12 month clothes for a long time now)
-his feet & ankles are so fat & chubby (prefers no shoes)
-until recently, he'd get 'stuck' standing up in his crib and not be able to get himself down
-likes all fruits & vegetables (except green beans)
-is very good at expressing himself (got earplugs?!)
-is fascinated by tags
-doesn't like getting new teeth
-loves to snuggle in the morning but when he sees big brother, he's ready to go

We love him so much!

Cousin Laura's Wedding

Memory Lane Monday: our montana great grandma

Remembering this happy moment...Great Grandma Ruth surrounded by some of her great grandchildren & her homemade pies at Thanksgiving time. We are looking forward to seeing some of these cousins & Grandma Ruth very soon. Can't wait!

hosted by From This Front Porch

our week in pictures

memorial day - at the park
dinner together: grilled chicken, grilled veggies from our garden, fresh corn & strawberries
playtime at Grandma's with cousin Makenna
Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year - Dinner honoring this year's 9 finalists -

one of whom was Russell's boss

a good visit with a good friend - come again, Jordan!