Back home!

It’s been a busy last month! During labor day weekend, we had some visitors to our humble abode! The Larimers!!! It, sadly, had been a year since we’d seen them last. It was great to see them again! They have a little boy who is a little over 13 months old. He was crawling all over and pulling himself up on things. It was interesting to see Keegan interact with him. He is the first child about Keegan’s age to visit in our house and while Keegan shares well at daycare this is a whole different situation for him. He had a bit of trouble with it. It was good for him. They were old buddies by the end of the visit. On the way back from a short hike, I thought Keegan was talking very boisterously to me to find when I looked back that he was talking to Ethan and Ethan thought whatever he was saying was hilarious. Victoria was pretty sure Keegan was telling him dirty jokes in toddler talk; I wouldn’t doubt it.

We went to the Ravalli County fair on Saturday the 3rd of September. We checked out the exhibits. The photo I entered of Keegan got a red ribbon. Then we went to the rides. Keegan only rode (with help) the carousel. Ethan rode a car ride and the super slide (with help) as well. Keegan showed some interest on wanting to ride the car ride….until it jerked to a start. Then I’m sure in his head he said “oh no way” and walked away. The best part of the night, as always, were the 4-H animals. Keegan really enjoyed the sheep and wasn’t so keen on pigs. I’m not surprised with how neat and clean a guy he is. The Reserve Grand Champion pig was so fat its legs stuck straight out and didn’t touch while it lay on its side. Kind of looked like bloated roadkill. Dan made the comment that that pig was already well on its way to being bacon.

The next weekend was the wedding of my old college roommate (high school classmate and HS and college track teammate), Allie. Since the fires were really cooking around that time in the Bitterroot valley Cobey was unable to join Keegan and I for the trip. This was Keegan’s first airplane ride. He did REALLY well. Many people commented on what a good boy he was and one older man told me I was a great mother! That was very sweet! At one point during the flight, Keegan got the chance to look out the window and much to my surprise he started to freak out and say “down, down, down” with eyes and wide as grapefruits. I didn’t think this was cognitively possible for a 19 month old but I am absolutely certain he meant he wanted the plane to go back down to the ground. I calmed him down by pointing out all of the exciting things on the ground like cars, tress, houses, etc. The travel was the easiest part of the trip. We had so much fun flying and hanging out in airports. The 3 hour layover, on the way home, in the Seattle airport was the most fun I’ve had during a layover in a while.

Allie’s wedding was beautiful and different all in one. The ceremony was beautiful and their ring exchange was very unique, something you’d only get from a physicist or chemist! The sun was attempting to melt us and had the ceremony been any longer it may have, but we survived. I was very thankful, too, that Keegan slept through the entire ceremony. After arriving in Portland, he decided to enter the terrible twos phase and reduced me to whimpers and tears the night before at the rehearsal dinner. The reception was the “different” part. I’d only been to weddings receptions with lots of dancing. There was no dancing and, in fact, no music simply lots of food, drinks, and games! Unique and definitely lots of fun, especially for the kids! I spent most the night chasing Keegan around instead of getting to catch up with my other two college roommates, Carley and Becky, as well as the Larimer’s and another college track teammate, Amy.

This last weekend Keegan and I visited the Tricities as a surprise to my mom for her 50th birthday. We arrived just in time to sit down at a table at Red Lobster with Alece and her family and surprise her as she walks in. Actually, we originally were in the parking lot when my dad pulled in too but thankfully mom didn’t see us. We rushed inside before them. Hayley showed up later that evening after dinner. My mom thought that was it. Her birthday surprise was her 3 daughters home. Little did she know, there was more coming. We told her that Brandon was prepping for a surprise birthday party for Alece and that she needed to stale Alece for us. All the while, Alece was really staling her. It was great fun and when the surprise was actually sprung upon her it took her a while for it to sink it. She had a great birthday weekend. As did the rest of us. Keegan (and I!) got to see his greatgrandmas and a bunch of 2nd cousins. It’s been a busy last few weekends. They’ve been enjoyable but this weekend at home has and will be glorious!

Willow Creek Hike

Saturday we went for a hike up Willow Creek Trail. It was the first hike we’ve gone on in a while. When we got to the trailhead there were more cars than I expected there. A man had just returned from biking up the trail and another from riding his horse. The horseman told us he got about 1 mile up the trail before his saw got too dull and he turned back. The cyclist told us to keep an eye out for his family as they had turned back before him but were not at the vehicle. We quickly proceeded up the trail as the flies in the parking lot were unbearable. Keegan slowly trudged up the trail for about 50 feet before he decided he’d had enough. So we put him in the carrier and continued up the trail. Before long we came upon some huckleberry bushes. Most had nothing or tiny green berries developing but a few had some huckleberries. We gave one to Keegan thinking, since he’s not a big fruit fan, he’d turn away or just not like it. He readily ate it and asked for more. We couldn’t pick them as fast as he wanted them. He loved them! Soon, we were fresh out of huckleberries and continued up the trail.
Soon we were climbing a pretty steep trail and soon after that we’d hit the point where the horseman’s saw decided it’d had enough. Looking at the many downed trees we were going to have to climb over (with a child carrier on mind you) we also decided to turn back. On the way back we saw a sign the cyclists family had left for him and then we passed the cyclist headed up the trail to find his family. Hopefully he did.
It was great to get out and hike. Keegan had a smile on his face the entire time and by the end was singing quite the bumpy tune in Cobey’s ear. The bugs were horrible, the majority of the berries were far from ready, and the trail was steep. But in exchange we got to see a beautiful still full flowing creek, a few berries to eat, and good exercise, and not to mention, enjoy the smell and beauty of the woods.

Keeg loves the carrier, mom and dad not as much.

checking out the creek we were crossing.

headed back down. Was pretty steep.

Hmmmmm....those look like fruit and you know how much I don't like fruit.....but I'll try it.

oh.....

Wow those are GOOD!

It has been too long old friend

Sorry it has been a while since I posted on our blog.  Things have been busy, but honestly, no busier than usual.  Since Father’s Day (the last post), we’ve had a great time with family and friends.  Fourth of July weekend we spent in Troy, Montana.  Unfortunately, we did not actually spend the 4th there.  Troy, Montana knows how to celebrate the founding of our country!  We did get to make merry at an old high school friend of Cobey’s wedding.  It was beautiful all around.  Beautiful country, beautiful weather, beautiful bride.  Cobey’s dad’s band, Backadit, played back-up for Alan Lane at the wedding which was another plus!
 
In mid-July, I started my permanent federal position at the Rocky Mountain Labs (RML).  I’ve worked at RML for over 2.5 years now and was in a fellowship position.  That position was due to end in October as I was on my last year allowed.  I really enjoy my work, coworkers and the town and am glad to be a solid fixture here.  I have finally obtained my goal of being officially a scientist; my position title is “Microbiologist” really it sounds bigger than I am, I’m just a lab technician but it’s RIGHT where I want to be!  BIOLOGY ROCKS!  Cobey is still working at the Missoula (Interagency) Dispatch Center for the State of Montana (DNRC) with dreams of one day getting a position in the Bitterroot Valley so he does not have to commute those unspeakable many miles everyday.
 
At the end of July, was the 9th Annual Purcell Mountain Jamboree.  It’s pretty much a music festival that Cobey’s family puts on (mark your calendars: next year it’s July 21st).  Friends, family, strangers, hitchhikers, etc show up, listen to (and/or play) music and drink beer!  We hadn’t been since 2008 and were told we’d be disowned from the family if we missed this one.  The reason being it was Cobey’s dad’s 60th birthday celebration as well!  We had decided we didn’t want to miss another Jamboree anyways, packed up and headed north.  Cobey and I played some songs, Keegan did lots of dancing, and I sang a song with the Backadit band.  There was great music and it was great to see the family especially those who traveled up from New Mexico and California!
 
Other than that the kid is growing bigger and stronger and constantly wants mommy-horseback rides around the living room.  It’s a really slow and gimpy 3 legged horse because the child wouldn’t stay on long without me using my arm as the (sort of) saddle.  He talks more and more; much of it still gibberish but some of it actually discernable to us.  His repertoire of words include (mind you most sound the same, but he tries and knows what they are for):  chickens, kitty, shoes, cheese, milk, more, all done, Isis (puppy that gets yelled at a lot), juice, Cheerios, hi, and dad.  Notice that many of those are food related.  Yea, he likes food.  Below is a link to my performance at the Jamboree with the Backadit band.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyV3w5Mcp8s

Father's Day

Earlier Videos

While fixing the link to the last post I was looking at older videos from when he first started walking. I thought I'd share them on here too. I didn't realize until now I believe in one of the videos he's saying "Isis" which he says now when the dogs make a racket. That's the name of one of our puppies (whose name gets yelled a lot and hence why Keegan has picked it up as one of his first words).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmD0ea-DnJs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btdS8SFMLdw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gOGSp593Uo&feature=related

Talking

Keegan is now officially speaking English words. It’s not as cut and dry as I thought it would be. I can’t exactly say what Keegan’s first word was. There have been times I thought he said Kitty first but it only lasted a few days and then he doesn’t say it anymore. So I might have been trying to hear something that doesn’t exist. I’m sure he’s said other words to us but in that unintelligible toddler speak I never picked up on it. But last week he has begun to say ‘all done.’ You may ask, “how do you know he’s saying ‘all done’”? It’s because he also signs it. At daycare they’ve taught Keegan a few things in sign language so he can tell us if he wants more food or if he’s done eating. So now, he says all done while signing it and it is very cute!

Let's try this link again:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss-CErthZoc

Don't Fence Me In

Last weekend Cobey ran in the Don’t Fence Me In race in Helena, MT. It’s a trail race that features a 30K, 12K, and 5K run as well as a 5K dog walk. Originally Cobey was going to run the race; then he got hurt. I was told I would have to run in his place and whipped myself into shape but in the week leading up to the race Cobey decided he was well enough to run it. I’m glad. As much fun as trail races are they are not my forte; I’ve never been the best at hills. Maybe that’s more reason I should run them….

I should have signed up for the dog walk (Blue and Tank were with us for the trip) but realized the possibility too late and registration was closed. That was all well and good. While Cobey raced Keegan and I played in the playground at the finish line. It was Keegan’s first time playing on playground toys. He’d last about a minute on one toy before he’d point to the next. We probably did 3 or 4 laps of all the toys by the end. And when dad came to the finish Keegan clapped and got a big high-five from dad.


All in all it was a great weekend, especially because we got to visit our friends, The Straley’s, whom we met in Troy, MT while I was fighting fire for the summer of 2008. We enjoyed good food, conversation and debate as well as watched “The Boys” (the name Kathleen gives to Stephan Colbert and Jon Stewart). Little do the Straley’s know but they shaped me into the person I am now. I learned a lot about life, politics, and comedy news ;) from them and appreciate all that I gained. I believe I have a healthy and relatively balance view (as balanced as you can be with some personal biases) of our nation and world. So, thank you Kathleen and Steve!

Waiting for dad to start!

And he's off!

"Look Mom! There goes Dad!"

Having fun on this funky swing.


He also liked this a lot. And a steering wheel toy, and the slides, and the horse rocking toy, and the car and.....

Dad coming to the finish for a high-five from Keeg!

And finishing! No it did not take him 3 hours and 41 minutes to run a 12K that's the running clock from the 30K start earlier in the morning.