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.