The Pack Team

As many of you know, my husband is a hunter. He spends lots of time wandering around in the woods searching for "the big one". Sometimes he is successful. A couple weeks ago, he went hunting with friends and helped his friend Chris bring this elk out of the woods. They are all very proud!

6X5 Stuck at ten yards

Proud Hunters: Marc, Rob, Larry, Chris & Keith

580 lbs hanging at Owens Meats in Cle Elum Second biggest they ever weighed. (605 lbs was the biggest)

Got a Bird in Your Throat?

Yes.. it is that "time" of year, the time when someone in the house brings home the first germ! Most of the time, the honor goes to one of the kids and unfortunately it seems that the youngest is the one who gets sick the most. I guess we should be happy we had 14 sick free days. Poor Katie, she is feeling miserable this weekend. The kids did not have school on Friday, so she got a three day weekend to rest up. She has a runny nose, a bad cough, an aching head, a fever, and "a bird in her throat".

Now I know you are thinking.. "bird"?? what the heck?? Well, let's just chalk it up to "kid's say the darndest things". When Katie was almost 3, Conner was sick at home and had lost his voice from the cold he had. Katie was intrigued by that and I told her that Conner had a "frog in his throat". Well, the next day, she kept coughing and saying something that we didn't quite understand. I asked her what was the matter? She said " I have a bird in my throat". After I thought about that for a minute.. I said "No, honey... I think you mean you have a frog in your throat". She said... "No Mommy, Conner has the frog, I have a bird"... AH HA! So, from then on, a bird she has had. I am sure people think we are all nutty.

Cricket's Song

For the past few days... seems more like weeks... we have had a cricket in our house. This was kind of a regular thing at our house... when we had fire-bellied toads to feed weekly. But, we gifted our toads a month ago to a high school science teacher, and we don't keep crickets any longer. How he got in the house? I do not know... Let's just say though he has been serenading us from under the refrigerator for days.. and days.. and driving us all CRAZY! Two days ago he moved from under the fridge to somewhere in the living room. Tonight, Hallelujah... he came crawling across the floor and Conner grabbed him up and threw him outside. Whew! I vow to enjoy him more on the outside of the house.

A boy and his cat

I cannot tell you how much our cat loves his kids. I know many of you have heard the story of how we "acquired" Tiger. But, here it is again. When Katie and Garret were going to daycare at Marlis', I had stopped to pick them up in our new van (both doors opened on each side). Garret was getting in on one side and I was putting Katie in her carseat on the other side. I had noticed a young cat on Marlis' porch the day before, but she had told me it was not hers and was a stray. Anyway.. I know you see it coming.. as we are driving down the road.. Garret tells me, "Mom, there's a cat in the car". And well, I knew he didn't have a home anyway, and we didn't have a cat... So, that is how we ended up with "Tiger". He absolutley loves the kids! He has been pulled, tugged, and carried around until you would think he was sick of it... but he comes back for more. He especially is fond of Garret. Marc squished him once in the garage door and I had to take him to the vet. We thought he was a goner... I explained to the vet that saving the cat was not important to me, but seriously important to my then 3-year old son. The first week of school was tiring for the kids... Garret was not thrilled to get up early. I took this photo because, well, I couldn't resist. What can I say, the cat loves his kids!

Labor Day

Another Labor Day at the Cowlitz with Grandma, Grandpa and the cousins...

A weekend at the river is always fun for us! The kids enjoyed spending some time outside...

Lauren and Kendra are getting older but don't seem to mind our kids crawling all over them every now and then. Katie especially likes Lauren to carry her everywhere! This time though, Garret got a piggyback from Lauren.

Katie got to ride the neighbor's mini horse, "Lil C". She thought that was pretty fun!

Kendra (12), Lauren (15), Katie (6), Garret (9), Conner (13)

First Day of School

Here we are in September again.. the first day of school. Katie was off to 1st grade.. WOW! The last Montieth to be in Mommy's grade. She is right next door with Mrs. Epperson (and Ms. Soler, her student teacher).

Garret started 4th grade, he is in Mrs. Coyle's class. A few years ago Mrs.Coyle taught 1st grade with me. And Conner headed off to his last year of middle school...8th grade. Yikes! Next year I have to say I have a High schooler.. I can wait.

Katie picked her outfit. Not my choice.. but she did wear the Lelli Kelly shoes which are darn cute. Garret was disgusted I made him wear new clothes. "these are fine mom", as he was pulling on a grungy pair of sweats and a t-shirt with a hole... hope he can find a good wife. Conner said his day was fine. I swear that kid never gets excited about anything these days. He is so mellow. I guess I shouldn't complain as I know most middle school kids are constant drama. And Mommy.. well, ,no photo op for me today. I did however manage to make it through the day with 29, yes 29... 1st and 2nd graders. I need a glass of wine. :)