Home Sweet Home

We're home! The kids and I, that is. I had to leave my hardworking, never-leaves-a-project-unfinished (which is what I love about him), husband in Montana to babysit the electrician. And finish the ceiling (the installer seems to have dropped off the face of the Earth).

So the kids and I hit the road yesterday morning and got home last night at midnight. The last couple of hours were tough, but Danielle Steele kept me company (love a good book on "tape").

The kids are glad to be home, and they're all playing a little "catch-up" with homework this afternoon.

I'm missing Dave a lot today, and I'm very ready to have my little family back together again.

We had a wonderful time with Daddy in Montana, and, as an added bonus, we were able to spend the last couple of nights camped out in the cabin. And even though it's still a bit of a construction zone, it was very cozy. We made a fire and some soup, tried out our new pebble floored master shower with rain head (FABULOUS!), tucked the kids into their nests, and watched the snow fall from our blow up air mattress. I'm pretty sure it doesn't get any better than that. You know?

Here are some pics from our time:

Dear Truancy Board,

I'm afraid I will be unable to return my children to school on Monday as previously promised. You see...we're snowed in...

errr...it's snowing...a lot.

um...the roads are icy...really icy...and slippery.

and...the snow plow doesn't come 'til Monday...or maybe Tuesday.

plus...and I'm sure you'll agree with this...there is certainly more involved in the education of children than sending them to school. Like what causes a snow drift, and at what temperature rain turns to snow, and seeing elk in the wild, and what black ice looks like, and the Legend of Jack Frost.

I will be sure to have them back in school just as soon as...the snow melts....or the plow comes through...or the cabin is finished...whichever comes first.

Very sincerely yours,
Mrs. Stewart

P.S. Feel free to call and discuss this matter further...with my husband.

Arrived Safely

We're here! The cabin is FABULOUS! And, of course, seeing Dave is even MORE fabulous. Thank you all for your warm thoughts for a safe trip. The drive was just fine, and the kids were great. I've said it before and I'll say again: Thank goodness for in-car-entertainment systems! (FYI: Geriatric dogs are welcome with open arms all throughout the state of Nevada!)

I'm having trouble getting my computer on line, but when I do, I'll be posting pictures and Part III of The Day We Met.

Thanks for checking in.

~Heather

The Cabin

Tina asked me to post some pictures of the cabin, so here you go. Dave's coming home Friday and flying back to Montana on Tuesday. Funny to have him come home for a "visit". But, hey, I'll take it! Cole leaves for Science Camp on Monday and then the house will be very quiet. Oh my.

My very favorite time of year in Montana is the fall. See the yellow grove of Aspens on the hill in the background? Those are my favorite.

Granite went in yesterday. Check mark!!

Reclaimed barn wood on the floors downstairs.

*Available to rent starting summer 2009!

Montana Summer

We spent most of our summer in Montana building a little cabin on the Madison River. Dave is still there keeping the building process on track and doing quite a bit of the work himself. Alas, the kids and I had to come home... that pesky school thing. Nothing like school to ruin a perfectly fabulous summer! Here are some pics of our Montana summer.

Our cabin on the Madison

The awe of Old Faithful

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone National Park. I love how my girls have matching scraggly hair do's with parts on the opposite sides. I guess that's what happens when you have boys first. But, not to worry, I do make an extra effort on school days busting out the brush and adorning with bows and braids (at least for the first few days...).

A buffalo crossed the road right in front of our car in Yellowstone! Very exciting!

Evie and Soli playing at the West Fork of the Madison. (In case anyone has ever wondered why they call it "Big Sky Country"...)

Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo