Welcome Andrew John!!

Congrats to Kelly, Greg & big sister Kaitlyn, on their beautiful little baby boy. Another little mini-Zag!! We are so happy for their family - what a fortunate little boy to have such a wonderful, loving, caring mom (& dad t00!)

Can't wait for Bea to meet Kaitlyn and her little brother someday - hopefully in Spokane - and hopefully before their first day of college together!

For only 3 easy installments...

...of $19.99, you too may own this beautifully handcrafted porcelain plate featuring the pug of the month, Oliver. His soulfoul eyes wil touch your heart and life in a way no other pug on a plate can.

Fall Feast

We are milking the fall season for all it's worth.

Today Bea, Ollie & I made pumpkin "creatures." We made a little pumpkin devil and squash bat. Here's a picture of Bea and her devil.

We also all hiked in Pattee Canyon this evening. As we were getting out of the car and approaching the trailhead Bea chirps,
"Actuwee I will need my mittens.....actuwee I will also need my hat."
She is constantly snapping my head around in double-takes.

Another trait of Bea's that continues to amaze me is her willingness to try darn near every food I put in front of her. She's such a kick ass little kid. By way of example, tonight we made a "fall feast" complete with Porcini & Lobster Mushroom Pasta, Baked Endive & Rosemary Foccacia. Bea totally chowed on the endive, calling it "baked salad" and "savored" two helpings of the mushroom pasta. She of course had no issue eating the pumpkin cookies. Here's a picture of her & Daddy eating the fall feast by candlelight:

Nannie & Pappy are flying back tomorrow from California with Auntie Lollie & Pop. They went down to surprise Great-grandma Mimi for her 80th birthday. Happy Birthday Mimi - we love you!!

On a sad note, Bea's surrogate Grandma, Donna, had to go the emergency room this week and ended up with a pacemaker. She called on Thursday afternoon to let us know, "I don't think I can babysit Bea on Friday, but I'll be fine by Monday." As George says, "That woman is as tough as nuts." It's true. She's 76, yet manages to get up darn near every morning at 5:00 am, hit the gym, have coffee w/ friends, then show up at our house at 8am to watch a 2 year old all day. To add insult to my seemingly lazy ass, during the day she routinely does all the laundry I never get done & usually cleans (I mean cleans ) my entire house. Then for fun she does stuff like bike the Hiawatha trail, run the Lutheran quilting club, and hit happy hour with her friends at the Montana Club. Although she comes across as a crusty ol' Norweigan from Minnesooota, she is a total softie for Bea. She bakes Bea cookies darn near every day she watches her and is always dreaming up little trips and projects for them. This includes introducing Bea to various authentic homecooked Scandahoovian meals.

At any rate, we were quite concerned for her and went to visit her once she was back at home. We put together a little get well basket for her and some flowers. When we showed up at her house she was up and about wanting to pick up Bea. Bea was dumbfounded that Donna actually lived in her own house. But in no time flat she was saddled up next to Donna begging for Donna's cookies with her eyes. She doesn't even have to verbally request a cookie from Donna any more. They operate on cookie ESP. True to form Donna had sugar cookies baked and waiting for the next time she was to watch Bea. We are praying for her quick and healthy recovery. Bea is so fortunate to have (yet another) person who cares so much for her. After our previous babysitting disasters, Donna is Bea's angel.

Bea's Halloween Costume

Pappy

Life is Oh-So-Skeetie-rific

Life is good.

I love the fall season, especially in Missoula.

Especially with Skeetie.
This fall we have been taking little hikes as often as we can.

We usually head out to Pattee Canyon or MacClay Flats.

As soon as Skeetie's little red crocs hit the dirt trail she typically squeals in delight, "I wanna run-a-run-a-run!!" and starts pumping her little arms like she's running. The little kiddo loves to run, hike, jump and now...skip.

Last Sunday Bea, Mr. O & I got up in the morning, made scram sandwiches then beat feet to Pattee Canyon. Bea walked (run-a-run-a-run) the entire way but took the time to search out, and covet, the best pinecones she could find. Her little sweatshirt pockets were crammed full of pinecones. She also brow beat Ollie into letting her walk him. Little champ played along and humoured her for a good portion of the hike.

Upon return we made pinecone pets, specifically pinecone owls, more specifically, Mr. Hoots.

I am particularly impressed with my ability to initiate and facililtate pinecone owl projects.

We're also in the throes of bathroom renovations. I love our house, but I will be happy to have the nasty little vermiculite pellets safely sealed behind tile. AND I don't ever want to tear up another goddamned lino floor as long as I live. I'm not sure which is more harmful: the toxic mold growing behind the cabinets, the vermiculite in the walls, or the JASCO chemical solution we used to pull up the left over adhesive from the tiles. Oh wait, I forgot to mention the "aggresive house spiders" that inhabit our downstairs bathroom that we haved moved into while the upstairs is being reno'ed. Ugh.

Those pleasantries aside, our whole family took a little jaunt out to MacClay Flats on Wed. Here's a few pics from that little adventure:

Frau recouperating by the car after a long walk.

That night George worked security at the Rolling Stones concert. He actually had "escort detail" meaning he drove out to the Paw Up Ranch to pick up and escort the band back to the U then worked the concert and escorted them back. Pretty neat. He looked very official with his gun on his hip and his Kevlar vest on. Rrrraarrrr.... Speaking of my husband in uniforms, congrats to him on passing his EMT certification test as well as sucessfully completing his firefighting training. Here is the aircraft fire George had to stroll up to and (attempt) to put out:

He made it back, uncharred, and in one piece. Now we are done with the long-distance training. Which is good, because I simply miss him far too much when he's gone.

Bea & I didn't go to the Stones concert instead we took Frau to the self-service "puppy spa" to get bathed and blow-dried. Now Frau is doing his little Broadway walk all around house with his tail tightly curled fluffy as a snowball. Oliver's baths have a direct impact on his pug-esteem.

So Monday we are leaving for a week to meet George's parents in Fairmont, B.C. Cannot wait. Hot Springs, Molson Canadian, Golf, Tennis, Molson Canadian, Ketchup Chips, Afternoon Naps, Morning Runs, Hot Stone Massages, Molson Canadian, but most of all.....good conversations & company.