Billings Tornado

We were in the middle of breaking down our day camp site, which is about 5 miles from the Metra when it hit. We could see the storm moving in as we were working, but had no idea it would turn into a major weather event. Our crew that was heading to the storage shed in a U-Haul called us and told us they were driving straight toward it coming down the hill from camp. We evactuated to the Pictograph Cave building and waited it out there for about an hour. Earlier in the week we had a huge hail storm at camp with about 117 Bear scouts that we had to deal with. You could always tell when a huge storm was coming because the ranch owner's cattle would move into our lower parking lot because there is some shelter there from the cliffs. At the caves we could see to the south that another funnel cloud was close to forming, but it never materialized. It was a beautiful storm, I wish I had my camera. I will post a picture that one of the guys from our crew took.

Bears, Horses, Moose & Cranes. . .oh my!!!

It has been a "wild" week at our house. We have had more visitors than normal hanging out at our place. Last Wednesday we had a bear on our back deck, on Sunday a runaway horse decided to hang out around our house for a few days, Tuesday a moose was in our yard and then we had a pair of Sandhill cranes (a/k/a nosiest birds on the planet) making a racket in our neighbors field. Have I mentioned that I LOVE where we live??????

Happy Birthday, Stockton, FINALLY

Stockton celebrated his birthday in parcels this year. His birthday landed on mother's day and because of a family emergency he did not get to have his cake on his birthday. In fact, our lives were so crazy that it was five days later that he finally got cake. This was after I had to rebake the cake becuase the one I baked on Sunday and become rock hard while waiting to be decorated. He was a good sport about everything!!!! Notice the fancy, expensive wrapping paper his gifts came in--LOL :)

Take me out to the ball game. . .

Finally I remembered the camera for one of Parker's games. Here are some action shots. . .You can tell by the people in the background that he got ahold of that pitch and sent it flying. . .then he is coming around second and on to third. . .and at last crosses home plate. The last picture is Parker cathing a fly ball at 3rd base. Way to go Parker. Considering he has NEVER played baseball, he is a great asset to their team!!!! He hits every time at bat (if the pitcher throws something over the plate) and he plays left field, and short stop. I normally do not like baseball, but it is fun to see him play.

An unwelcome guest

Our evening was going along just great. The kids were starting to get ready for bed. Mitchell went into the kitchen to get a drink, and got the shock of his life. This moocher was on our back deck with just a sliding glass door between us and him.

Spring in Montana

This is what I woke up to this morning.

I would love to post pictures of Parker playing baseball, but his last practice and last two games have been cancelled due to the weather. Enjoy the sun if you have it!!!

Going the distance

Here are more photos of the boys in action. The meets that they attend are HUGE. There are usually 8-10 schools at each meet, which makes them very long!!!! Stockton won his 100 meter heat, however, the camera ran out of batteries as he was running through the finish tape. Here we have Mitch running the 800 meter, Stockton throwing the discus and the turbo jav. Congratulations boys, on improving your personal records!!!