Mom stuff

I know some people that have multiple children and make it look so easy (Joce!). How do they do it? I think one can be hard, although it's a whole heck of a lot easier now than when he was tiny.

I read this blog today, and I could totally identify with how hard it is to get out of the house some days, and the never-ending to-do list. There are always a million things I COULD be doing, but usually just one thing I want to be doing: sitting on the couch with a good book while Barrett plays contentedly on the floor nearby. Or going for a walk while the dirty dishes get stickier and the clothes get moldier.

How do you balance your kid(s) and your motherly/wifely duties and time for yourself and ... ?

Little boy, getting bigger

Life with Barrett is so much fun, and it keeps getting better, and busier!

He is crawling everywhere, and pulling up on everything. 

Mark's manly way of carrying him.

Barrett is also getting into everything, and of course, it's usually not toys that he pulls down.

What a sweet, sweet baby we have!

My mother and sister came out on a short road trip this week. It was so calming, soothing to have them (and Jocelyn) here. I didn't realize how much I've missed them.

Glacier National Park

Over the 4th, we headed over to Montana and into GNP. Since we live in ND, we are closer to many neat places in the west, and we are now taking advantage of that.

These are all iphone pictures, because apparently when you have a smart phone, you forget to charge your regular camera.

The first day we spent in Whitefish, Kalispell and Hungry Horse.
This is going up the chairlift at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

At the top, with my husband showing off his red-neck helmet cam (his phone clipped to his hat).

We did the alpine slide there too, which was fun. Whitefish is such a neat little town, and I would have loved to have some more time there. One thing I need to say- Piggyback BBQ. Eat there.

Ahh, a sleeping baby.

The second day we went on a helicopter tour of Glacier. I was excited that it was something we could do with Barrett along.

Amazing views. Simply awesome.

On top of this hill is a fire tower. We learned that someone (a volunteer) lives up there for the summer and their food and supplies are brought in by pack mule.

This ridge is the Continental Divide.

Awesome glacial lakes.

Next on the agenda was a drive through the park on the Going-To-The-Sun Road. We stopped to hike along the way.

Mark wouldn't be Mark if he didn't do something along these lines.

A beautiful view. This is on the west side of the park, where it seems the views are more stunning than the east side.

On the east side, we got to visit with some ND friends, and Mark taught Barrett how to use a hatchet.

Our third and last day, we did some more hiking.

It was, of course, gorgeous.

B hanging out.

If you like camping, hiking, and awesome mountain views, then I think that Glacier National Park is a must-see. I would love to go back and hike some more (especially without kids).

Summer is flying by, as usual

Barrett at 8 months, photo taken by Sarah Selle

Barrett and I traveled to MN with Jocelyn and her kids. We enjoyed a wonderful two weeks at my mom and dad's, just hanging out, swimming, visiting, meeting a sweet new niece, getting eaten by all those Minnesota bugs... It really was heaven (minus being away from Mark). Barrett was so stimulated that he started crawling and pulling himself up while we were there. He is suddenly a very energetic baby. 

His torticollis is halfway better. If I keep up the stretches, his physical therapist thinks he will be straight in a month or so- good news!