tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82684402929347559792024-03-13T03:03:34.200-07:00All Together NowDan, Lindsey, Josh, Jack, LaylaLindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.comBlogger197125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-90434675074971359132012-01-29T13:55:00.000-08:002012-01-29T13:55:31.768-08:00Right Now...I am not feeling guilty for my lack of posts. We are a busy family, and our spare time is filled with each other! If you want to catch up with us, read on... but there are no cute pics today.<br />
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We have a 6yo Josh now, who's loving Kindergarten so much, but misses full day K and his buddies in WI. He is a spelling and writing machine and it's fun to play word/letter games with him! He has also shown incredible patience for a little sister who can make bedtime pretty miserable by keeping him up later with her mischievousness!<br />
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Speaking of Layla, she is such a fun, silly, beautiful, tricky, loving little girl. Basically, she's a typical 2yo! She is so smart, but has the same speech delay her brothers had, and we often find ourselves in frustrating situations when she so badly wants to convey her thoughts but can't. We love her like crazy!<br />
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I think that of all my kids, Jack has been the most forgiving of our new situation here. He had fallen in love with his class, teacher, and taking the bus home in WI. He was learning new things every day, and shocking us when he'd recount those things! (since he's not nearly as forthcoming as Josh) Now that we are here, preschool is not free, so not in our budget. (hello, we're building 2 business!) But NEVER has he mentioned missing school or his friends. He is so imaginative, spending his time at home building ships out of legos, intricate train tracks, and racing cars all over the place! Jack is the definition of flexible! I thank God for him and his patience every day. <br />
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We have 3 kiddos in one room, which seemed like crazy chaos for the first few weeks of moving in! But we have worked out some of those bugs, like having Jack fall asleep in our room and then transferring him later. It went from a 2.5 hour play time in the dark to 30 minutes before falling asleep! (naughty kids) But we have created some good routines, and I love hearing them play together in their close quarters.<br />
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Dan and I will be celebrating TEN YEARS being married on Wednesday, Feb 1!! Take that society with horrible divorce rates!! I love this man more than I could ever express. We have been through things that have torn other couples apart, and we came out a stronger, more faithful couple because of them. I still find him funny and SO MUCH fun to be with! My perfect evening together is the 2 of us in our PJ's, cuddled under our favorite blanket (a wedding gift from GG), watching a movie or favorite show, snacking on freshly baked chocolate chip cookies!<br />
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Did you know that you become just like the 5 people you hang around most? Well, I couldn't be luckier to have a hubby that is the #1 person I want to be around!<br />
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It is amazing how quickly we have forgotten the ways of the corporate world. What conference calls?! What district meetings? We don't miss anything about Dan's job. In fact, there was a noticeable change in Dan's health and energy level! Leaving what some consider a "secure job" to follow one's dream has it's own set of stresses, but when it's a self-made choice, they are SO much more tolerable. I couldn't be more proud of Dan for following his passion. He's the minority for sure, but our kids are learning valuable lessons right now about making goals, working through adversity, putting all of your faith in the Lord and the talents He gave you. (I'm learning these lessons as well) I LOVE having him work from home! We knew early in our marriage that being away from the person we chose to spend life with for 8-10 hrs a day was NOT part of our plan. That was just crazy and didn't make any sense to us. We feel that we are doing what we were meant to do, and that feels amazing.<br />
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I am so happy to working with my full-time Mary Kay business. (15 hrs a week is all!) I have found support in unique places, and made some life-long friends who have the same priorities and values that I do. I have met some amazing women who trust me enough to share concerns with their appearance, as well as share their friends and family with me, and am honored to get to know them on such a personal level. This company has helped me grow in areas I didn't know I lacked!<br />
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We love our new ward. One day, we hope to have a house in this same ward. Josh has requested being able to walk to school and I think that would be great! Holladay is a nice part of the valley, and we have had fun getting to know some new places that we weren't super familiar with before. We love being next to the mountains again!! They truly are a part of what makes UT our home, and it was crazy how much we missed them while we were gone. We are glad to see our family more often, even those who live out of state! <br />
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We are happy!<br />
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So there we are in a random post.<br />
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<br />Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-44662906532148444382011-12-04T14:25:00.000-08:002011-12-04T15:18:10.285-08:00WI to UT<div><div>Hello! Yes, I have been a little MIA, but that's because my time is very full of my highest priorities: family-time, time with hubby, building my Mary Kay business, transitioning to our new home, and more family-time!</div><div><br /></div><div>But here are a few pictures from our last few weeks in WI. </div></div><div>(and then some after we got back to UT)</div><div><br /></div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d_K_shKKLMQ/Ttv0k7jmgYI/AAAAAAAAB3c/ONFprTbmjbw/s400/IMG_0275.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682404270157496706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 400px; " /><div style="text-align: center;">We visited Riverside Park a few times while we lived in WI, and this last time we stopped and admired the International Gardens. Lovely! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wnz6bMzaSzI/Ttv0lr753hI/AAAAAAAAB3o/bdB5NCjH0eA/s400/IMG_0276.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682404283144330770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 385px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tyUWuS-EA6A/Ttv0j9fHYJI/AAAAAAAAB3E/3VqUBBymLXo/s400/IMG_0255.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682404253495681170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 334px; " /><div style="text-align: center;">Another awesome park we frequented was Lake Park, across the Mississippi in Winona, MN. All summer, the parks and rec dept had free rentals for canoes and kayaks. The first time we took the kids, they were excited... until they realized they had to go on the water! Screams, whining, and tears. But then the promise of ice cream got us out!! Everyone had such a fun time, and yes, we ended the night with ice cream cones.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vHA_q2ztgh4/Ttv0B82tqmI/AAAAAAAAB2c/MDkhu_8bv3U/s400/IMG_0237.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682403669210671714" /><div style="text-align: center;">Some of our good friends asked us to puppy-sit for them while they went to the Dells for the day. WE WERE IN HEAVEN!!! This cute puppy is a teddy-bear breed, and his name was Teddy. He was so snuggly, and all of the kids (and me and Dan) fell in love with him! It was hard to give him back.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyMOi9BUSic/Ttv0BW6Dg7I/AAAAAAAAB2Q/imzxeyaDZfI/s400/IMG_0226.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682403659024139186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 387px; height: 400px; " /><div style="text-align: center;">Josh and Jack (and even Layla) made some VERY good friends. I have told so many people that the kids and I were truly blessed to be a part of such a wonderful mom-kid playgroup. I made some great friends who defined unconditional support and caring, and they made our stay in WI a great experience.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-shnaFr2eVmo/Ttv48GaqHQI/AAAAAAAAB34/j8ekv0ca4xc/s400/DSC_0017.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682409066256276738" /><div style="text-align: center;">And there was no way we were going to leave WI without going apple-picking!! I'm just sorry we didn't stay long enough to see all the different apples ripen so we could go again and again!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">YUM!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DaL9L89rzxg/Ttv48lEmVhI/AAAAAAAAB4E/dAGv0jT-m_I/s400/DSC_0023.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682409074485253650" /><div style="text-align: center;">We were happy to have our recently-returned (from a mission) uncle Thomas come to visit us. Even though at his point we were in boxes, we still had a good time.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZloKBOxaEM/Ttv5QYht2bI/AAAAAAAAB5M/AjBLdS0sTas/s1600/DSC_0087.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 257px; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZloKBOxaEM/Ttv5QYht2bI/AAAAAAAAB5M/AjBLdS0sTas/s400/DSC_0087.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682409414715103666" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This was in the back of the orchard where no one was watching... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YBysyZigpkQ/Ttv5PO6DBOI/AAAAAAAAB5E/KIJO57t3_KU/s1600/DSC_0084.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YBysyZigpkQ/Ttv5PO6DBOI/AAAAAAAAB5E/KIJO57t3_KU/s400/DSC_0084.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682409394952930530" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">... and SO WAS THIS!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4yXaZc-EbRg/Ttv5OnfHmZI/AAAAAAAAB40/5SEGB-P0BZ4/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4yXaZc-EbRg/Ttv5OnfHmZI/AAAAAAAAB40/5SEGB-P0BZ4/s400/DSC_0031.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682409384371001746" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I don't even know how many we ate just while trying to fill out little bag, but oh those apples were amazing!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kWyDIhgu8XY/Ttv4-5DF6II/AAAAAAAAB4s/DjH7aEKaEHw/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kWyDIhgu8XY/Ttv4-5DF6II/AAAAAAAAB4s/DjH7aEKaEHw/s400/DSC_0026.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682409114207381634" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ITvul2NdUnk/Ttv4-QWiJeI/AAAAAAAAB4c/q3ALwKhKrAA/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ITvul2NdUnk/Ttv4-QWiJeI/AAAAAAAAB4c/q3ALwKhKrAA/s400/DSC_0024.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682409103283070434" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjhT_9qMc4Y/Ttv49bSfDsI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/iRxAYhKNHuw/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjhT_9qMc4Y/Ttv49bSfDsI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/iRxAYhKNHuw/s400/DSC_0025.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682409089039011522" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 311px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XFhAG_UVIfc/Ttv0jZiAY3I/AAAAAAAAB24/m3z3zcUd_tI/s400/IMG_0245.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682404243844129650" /><div style="text-align: center;">Layla was almost 2 when she had her first haircut. (just like Josh was)</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 372px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xRMLTsMVrlM/Ttv0Czx86_I/AAAAAAAAB2o/2fjciTcj7g4/s400/IMG_0242.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682403683954650098" /><div style="text-align: center;">Dang, this girl was calm!! Lucky me!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3PEgXAkqZ_s/Ttv0kR07PjI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/3FqfprOCYak/s1600/IMG_0268.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3PEgXAkqZ_s/Ttv0kR07PjI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/3FqfprOCYak/s400/IMG_0268.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682404258955869746" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And the other member of our family that changed while we were in WI was our 4-Runner! After the odometer changed to 200,000 miles, it was time for a face-lift. It was perfect timing to park next to this blue one so we could get a really great before and after picture!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Awesome job Dan!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7i4shb_PkI4/Ttvz_7cqV0I/AAAAAAAAB2E/j1HHe_ZeenY/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 352px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7i4shb_PkI4/Ttvz_7cqV0I/AAAAAAAAB2E/j1HHe_ZeenY/s400/DSC_0045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682403634473228098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAYLA</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1z-D0WfPabc/Ttvzrw0QDqI/AAAAAAAAB1o/zfHMsgvaIMs/s400/DSC_0040.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682403288021995170" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MyNHdUbMZGg/TtvzrM0U_eI/AAAAAAAAB1c/wKG4hLmSsHc/s400/DSC_0031.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682403278358642146" /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9WUd7rqRm1o/Ttvz_jCLZoI/AAAAAAAAB14/VSMrOoLIqmI/s1600/DSC_0041.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 333px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9WUd7rqRm1o/Ttvz_jCLZoI/AAAAAAAAB14/VSMrOoLIqmI/s400/DSC_0041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682403627919697538" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Just what every girl needs: pink cars and jewelry!! Yep, I'm raising another MK consultant!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hZJQjkkl3AA/Ttvzqau7WRI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/AO5q08Ci1JU/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hZJQjkkl3AA/Ttvzqau7WRI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/AO5q08Ci1JU/s400/DSC_0008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682403264914217234" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Seriously, this kid melts my heart!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xQkFvgPEyi4/TtvzpqHgZyI/AAAAAAAAB1E/SGoIO-XAZ1k/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xQkFvgPEyi4/TtvzpqHgZyI/AAAAAAAAB1E/SGoIO-XAZ1k/s400/DSC_0005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682403251863971618" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is a very rarely captured moment - all 3 kiddos smiling and looking at the camera at the same time!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i1HVA7hDZOY/TtvzpayIOdI/AAAAAAAAB04/2EtVvzhCq1o/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 251px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i1HVA7hDZOY/TtvzpayIOdI/AAAAAAAAB04/2EtVvzhCq1o/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682403247747774930" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">"Happy Halloween!"</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-10192181107407001222011-09-04T18:40:00.000-07:002011-09-04T19:09:04.579-07:00A while ago...<div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">(I used to blog more... HA!)</span></div></div><div>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">... Josh played T-Ball! </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q3ZBGhkDT40/TmQpyH2rJMI/AAAAAAAAB0I/JXpLaLt92M0/s400/DSC_0009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648685773708010690" /><div style="text-align: center;">Seriously, the most handsome kid ever!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div><img style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 321px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lT5GI_0wbww/TmQpxXbesOI/AAAAAAAABz4/49SG1W6FgqA/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648685760709046498" /><div style="text-align: center;">A little last-minute coaching.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div><img style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 400px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bC5spzXOP6o/TmQqumU7FgI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/GSl98V8lu7Y/s400/DSC_0011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648686812680099330" /><div style="text-align: center;">And a little more...</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div><img style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 400px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9EBIcHa2iMo/TmQqvcx35mI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/gpLXkejKmVc/s400/DSC_0018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648686827297039970" /><div style="text-align: center;">Swing batter, S-WING!!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UI9agEVNeDE/TmQqvk_AuPI/AAAAAAAAB0g/TCMNG7JTaao/s400/DSC_0030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648686829499627762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 400px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /><div style="text-align: center;">... heading towards 1st.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div><img style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 229px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-231n_H7HzN8/TmQpxkhq0GI/AAAAAAAAB0A/1RRLQsYBzAk/s400/DSC_0005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648685764224667746" /><div style="text-align: center;">Going Home!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 311px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Auf0BrCuqLc/TmQqwD52oBI/AAAAAAAAB0o/PUJnc7SQclE/s400/DSC_0032.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648686837799493650" /><div style="text-align: center;">I. LOVE. THIS. PICTURE!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">(Josh is the only little guy with a purple cap)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p4WZKfylS8U/TmQrUNmSd4I/AAAAAAAAB0w/xd4uliICqEo/s400/DSC_0008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648687458877077378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 254px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /><div style="text-align: center;">And to include the other 2 kids in our house, I had to include this one of Jack. I love it because it looks as though all of those amazing trees are going to pop through the window and grab Jack!! That sounds morbid now that I typed it all out. </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oUY7wTVOTwk/TmQpwwilW_I/AAAAAAAABzw/kIJTBL7vz1Q/s1600/Layla%2Bat%2Bgame.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 368px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oUY7wTVOTwk/TmQpwwilW_I/AAAAAAAABzw/kIJTBL7vz1Q/s400/Layla%2Bat%2Bgame.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648685750269860850" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And this beautiful girl.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div></div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-73727053499909152722011-08-28T13:52:00.000-07:002011-08-28T15:28:24.558-07:00Why I am proud to Be<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;">a "Goates"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I know I am also a Montague, and that also makes me so proud. But I feel the need to highlight my siblings and their amazing spouses. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(and then my own kiddos, because I am not me without them!)</div><div>
<br /></div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xxIwcZFzwX4/TlqrOoR6XSI/AAAAAAAAByw/YZrjlliaweg/s400/IMG_2001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646013350681402658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><div style="text-align: center;">Ben, Amanda, and Owen Goates </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">(and baby #2 due in March)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ben and Amanda moved to Ohio a few years ago, following the <a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/prayer-and-promptings?lang=eng&query=prompting">promptings</a> they felt from the Lord: no job, no school prospects... Just faith that they were doing what was right. Since then, Ben started a job he enjoys, Owen joined their family, and Amanda has been able to use her amazing degree in speech pathology while being an AMAZING mommy!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ben just graduated from Ohio State University with his MBA!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Talk about following the Lord's plan and being blessed.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kf57ikLbPSo/TlqrOw0JXhI/AAAAAAAABy4/FTp9UCltKJo/s400/J%2526J.tiff" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646013352972475922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 250px; " /><div style="text-align: center;">Jason & Jacey Goates</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">(aka J&J, when I mention them in emails or texts!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is true that one spouse cannot follow a dream without TOTAL and complete support from the other. This is exactly what has been going on with these 2 in UT. Jacey <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;">(with her mom)</span> just successfully opened THEIR OWN dance studio!! Jacey is a wonderful dancer and instructor and loves what she does. What better way to follow your heart than to just do it full time?!</div><div style="text-align: center;">J&J, our family loves you so much and we are so excited to come and see your new studio. We are so proud of your hard, hard, physically-draining work.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Congrats!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153); "><a href="http://www.danceyourselfsilly.com/">(click here to head to the site below and sign up!)</a></span></div><div>
<br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 147px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0fEMQgqUiZs/TlqrOXqgnRI/AAAAAAAAByo/2aaTIJqBjc4/s400/Dance%2BPlace.tiff" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646013346221169938" />
<br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FBs-0L9A-kU/TlqrPMy65CI/AAAAAAAABzA/AvQz0I8dghQ/s400/Jamie%2Band%2BGrace.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646013360483525666" /><div style="text-align: center;">Jamie and Ryan (below) and Grace Turner</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">(baby #2 due in Feb)</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So Jamie and I are 7 years apart. This was not so conducive for a close relationship when we were younger, but has made for a really special one now that we are "adults!" Jamie is considered our entire family's in-house photographer, so when she and hubby moved to NV our dinners and other activities were much less captured. She is very talented! Jamie is also a VERY patient woman, wife, and mother. She is a med-student's wife to a guy who gets crazy-high scores. Enough said!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Below is hubby, Ryan. He is not only an excellent student, but is admired for the high standards he holds himself to. At the same time as all of this greatness (!), he is the nicest guy ever, as well as the cutest dad!</div><div>
<br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QbL9I83rTEs/TlqrPWezgQI/AAAAAAAABzI/CsAtEYMfbHo/s400/Ry%2Band%2BGrace.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646013363083510018" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(beware of cheezy picture below)</div></div><div>
<br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 281px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-khwqqFYswSw/Tlqrnr1xalI/AAAAAAAABzQ/SxLXu8USx9w/s400/TOM.tiff" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646013781133847122" /><div style="text-align: center;">Elder Thomas Goates</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">(in Argentina for 10 more days)</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There is nothing bad I have EVER been able to say, or even find about Tom. We all love him, miss him, pray for him, and talk about his return all the time!! Thomas is 10 years younger than me, but I have always looked up to him for his steadfastness in his <a href="http://lds.org/study/topics/testimony?lang=eng&query=testimony">testimony</a> of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and his love for the scriptures. We will are excited, and feel spoiled to get to have him all to ourselves for a few days in Sep!!</div><div>
<br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ws-5zuuxIuM/Tlqsti-o-KI/AAAAAAAABzY/cOGp4lGSXf4/s400/DSC_0006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646014981345966242" /><div style="text-align: center;">Layla</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This little girl of mine is a mini-me in so many ways! Her crazy love for mischief with her brothers drives us nuts, but defines who she is: fun, silly, smart, brave, cuddly, independent, adventurous, loyal. I am proud to be her mama.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Holy cow, she is just so dang cute!!</div><div>
<br /></div><div><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px; " src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CvjARY3RTK8/TlqsuSHr9TI/AAAAAAAABzo/PYkYhwK6vwA/s400/DSC_0008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646014994000377138" /><div style="text-align: center;">Jack</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This sweet boy of mine has done so much growing this year. Think about it - he's been in WI for 1/4 of his entire life!! Jack has this sweetness about him that makes me fall in love with him every day. He is so content with who he is at such a young age, which I know comes from a deep maturity he has inherited from his dad. He can play with the group one minute, then be just as happy doing his own imagining the next.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I just love him.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hdO_Ydqk830/Tlqst-PhNhI/AAAAAAAABzg/VO_aBDElJ-8/s400/DSC_0007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646014988664518162" /><div style="text-align: center;">Josh</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some days I can't believe the strength my oldest child has. He has already had to learn life lessons at 5 1/2 that I didn't face until I was a few years older. I am able to have very mature, specific teaching moments with Josh, and then he RETAINS every piece of information. He has high standards for himself, though I doubt he can put them in to words yet: keeps the <a href="http://lds.org/ensign/2000/02/keeping-the-sabbath-day-holy?lang=eng&query=sabbath+day">Sabbath Day</a> holy (by saying 'no' to Sunday bday parties), uses appropriate language (when peers do not), enjoys being able to put aside <a href="http://lds.org/study/topics/tithing?lang=eng&query=tithing">tithing</a> when he earns money.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am confident in sending him off to school because I know he knows what is right.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am blessed to be not just surrounded, but RELATED to all of these amazing individuals.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(sibs and in-laws)</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">**I realize that there are some people missing: my parents & hubby.**</div><div style="text-align: center;">To them I say that I love you as well. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Mom and Dad - you taught me to want to excel, be true to myself, and to hold family close.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dan - you are my other half, and there is just too much to say in one blog post.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div></div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-17054317849296329192011-07-25T20:10:00.000-07:002011-07-26T09:40:12.272-07:00Happy Jack Turns 4!<div style="text-align: center;">HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK HARPER MONTAGUE!!</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4MwDnbQ3A0o/Ti40jxxoQFI/AAAAAAAAByg/h4tcrg2D_D4/s1600/DSC_0064.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4MwDnbQ3A0o/Ti40jxxoQFI/AAAAAAAAByg/h4tcrg2D_D4/s400/DSC_0064.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633497973148631122" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Really, it's pretty rare I capture this huge Jack-smile! But who wouldn't be grinning surrounded by all these gifts, cake, and family.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(including Gramma and Grampa Goates - visiting from UT)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hb9vUzSmHTE/Ti4yRpqFxYI/AAAAAAAABxg/eo-ee-gBxmo/s400/DSC_0038.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633495462708626818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px; " /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2P5uhYjtzNg/Ti4yRyRAucI/AAAAAAAABxo/5utq8sCp-xc/s400/DSC_0041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633495465019357634" /><div style="text-align: center;">Jack said he wanted a "red cake." So we all enjoyed a red velvet b-day cake in his honor. What mature taste for a 4-year-old!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bcSKUw4bNMo/Ti4ySItIS3I/AAAAAAAABxw/Wdo9Qe4Cyo8/s400/DSC_0050.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633495471042874226" /><div style="text-align: center;">Checking out all angles...</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FeFzYqVLxDo/Ti4ySYNkXsI/AAAAAAAABx4/q9BbgYgySB4/s400/DSC_0061.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633495475205463746" /><div style="text-align: center;">... got... to... get... the... last... 2... candles...</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wmQD0P_aXmY/Ti4ySjL45wI/AAAAAAAAByA/lIPALXKPZpg/s400/DSC_0063.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633495478151210754" /><div style="text-align: center;">Good job, buddy! I hope your wish comes true.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CFRi0aM_rBw/Ti4y6LphGII/AAAAAAAAByI/Iru8RtrUh40/s400/DSC_0070.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633496159027796098" /><div style="text-align: center;">It was hard to capture all the gift-opening, since it went fast and Josh was trying to do it for Jack. (as usual) </div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hmm, why would Jack be opening a new helmet...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rh97kqQiYhg/Ti4y6QMNA2I/AAAAAAAAByQ/Fg1VjSrPo2M/s400/DSC_0073.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633496160247022434" /><div style="text-align: center;">For his NEW BIKE!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What a fun birthday celebration with you, Jack!!</div></div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-37736774045307508062011-07-06T13:21:00.000-07:002011-07-06T14:29:07.607-07:00Fun on the Fourth<div style="text-align: center;">We began our 4th of July early with a breakfast at our ward. My kiddos were patient to wait for their pancakes, but after that was done, they were off!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ulcEqdmb0KU/ThTJmisqe2I/AAAAAAAABxY/7FhLtNbWJ2o/s1600/DSC_0079.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ulcEqdmb0KU/ThTJmisqe2I/AAAAAAAABxY/7FhLtNbWJ2o/s400/DSC_0079.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626343498478943074" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I love that Josh is just in to "themes" as I am, so of course, we were all wearing the colors of the day!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mLlX9I9bMz4/ThTIidZewYI/AAAAAAAABwo/cYh-HGVE1m4/s400/DSC_0115.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626342328825201026" /><div style="text-align: center;">BTW, this little girl of mine has charmed almost the entire ward! I have a new person each week tell me how much they would LOVE to babysit her! (brothers too, but she's doing all the PR work)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HwC1do6v2sc/ThTHu9dF15I/AAAAAAAABwI/j7ECFNsIRJg/s400/DSC_0134.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626341444077082514" /><div style="text-align: center;">It's rare to get all 5 of us in the same shot!</div><div style="text-align: center;">(so rare, that Jack just had to cover his face just to be consistent!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZqHWbqUEUc/ThTJmL4nQCI/AAAAAAAABxQ/900SkePhVnk/s1600/DSC_0081.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZqHWbqUEUc/ThTJmL4nQCI/AAAAAAAABxQ/900SkePhVnk/s1600/DSC_0081.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 400px; " src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZqHWbqUEUc/ThTJmL4nQCI/AAAAAAAABxQ/900SkePhVnk/s400/DSC_0081.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626343492355047458" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Red Rover!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JJaH0pOa3FY/ThTJkqN-n_I/AAAAAAAABxA/-28QKEzG-7U/s1600/DSC_0089.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JJaH0pOa3FY/ThTJkqN-n_I/AAAAAAAABxA/-28QKEzG-7U/s400/DSC_0089.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626343466137985010" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Duck, Duck, Goose</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Josh is the only boy in his Primary class, and the girls LOVE him!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yNYyIBOcpzs/ThTJkDFvMLI/AAAAAAAABw4/YdTtI5nMFHA/s1600/DSC_0102.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yNYyIBOcpzs/ThTJkDFvMLI/AAAAAAAABw4/YdTtI5nMFHA/s400/DSC_0102.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626343455634436274" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">But today, Josh got to chase Kate all over the field!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UMsIDByaM84/ThTIjPVpgTI/AAAAAAAABww/pSDuCOQZuFc/s1600/DSC_0110.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UMsIDByaM84/ThTIjPVpgTI/AAAAAAAABww/pSDuCOQZuFc/s400/DSC_0110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626342342230901042" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Then he was chased by another classmate, Callie!</div><div style="text-align: center;">(popular boy)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8-zypdOiS6g/ThTIhmhcTgI/AAAAAAAABwg/ILoLFNouT18/s1600/DSC_0118.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8-zypdOiS6g/ThTIhmhcTgI/AAAAAAAABwg/ILoLFNouT18/s400/DSC_0118.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626342314094644738" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The Hmong-speaking Elders!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Elder T, from Hawaii (and there is no way I can type his entire name), won the cherry pit spitting contest with a distance of 42.5 feet! The hats were for pure entertainment, so I had to capture it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B-it96Vccog/ThTIg_0710I/AAAAAAAABwY/AiVdCa9AwPo/s1600/DSC_0119.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 302px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B-it96Vccog/ThTIg_0710I/AAAAAAAABwY/AiVdCa9AwPo/s400/DSC_0119.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626342303707420482" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Jack had an 'I'm too cool for my bike" moment and refused to smile.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_KUg7bakgbY/ThTIe9anFmI/AAAAAAAABwQ/0m3GaHANCqQ/s1600/DSC_0121.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_KUg7bakgbY/ThTIe9anFmI/AAAAAAAABwQ/0m3GaHANCqQ/s400/DSC_0121.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626342268700399202" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The decorating of the bikes were the highlight of our weekend! I figured I owed them all the frills since I rarely, if ever, decorate the inside of our house for holidays.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 342px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-udmFeBLeLuc/ThTF6kLq1kI/AAAAAAAABvg/1IDN2Ddnon4/s400/IMG_5814.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626339444428297794" /><div style="text-align: center;">Then we were lucky enough to spend our evening with the Davis family. Josh and Jack hit it off with their daughter, Maddie, immediately after they moved to WI one month after us! And their other daughter Sydney can even say "Layla" so we know they are good buddies.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TVZcDT1WQzs/ThTF5SIaulI/AAAAAAAABvQ/uzE-HJdWozg/s400/DSC_0135.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626339422402951762" /><div style="text-align: center;">The Kid Table</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hot Dogs, watermelon, juice boxes, chips, cookies!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Totally All-American Kids</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GL4BGmbdUD8/ThTHtxVCUyI/AAAAAAAABwA/tFD9o8h027I/s1600/IMG_5796.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GL4BGmbdUD8/ThTHtxVCUyI/AAAAAAAABwA/tFD9o8h027I/s1600/IMG_5796.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 380px; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GL4BGmbdUD8/ThTHtxVCUyI/AAAAAAAABwA/tFD9o8h027I/s400/IMG_5796.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626341423642202914" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This was the last we saw of Jack! He was NOT a fan of the fireworks. And when I say fireworks, I mean the ones we usually refer to as the "illegal" ones! They are very legal, and very popular here in WI. Jack spent his evening inside with the toys... and the babies had gone to bed as well.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OeBqi4PkVCk/ThTHtHIEwMI/AAAAAAAABv4/VZq2YG_Ebs4/s1600/IMG_5835.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OeBqi4PkVCk/ThTHtHIEwMI/AAAAAAAABv4/VZq2YG_Ebs4/s400/IMG_5835.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626341412313546946" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The Men</div><div style="text-align: center;">Both of these guys were a little gun-shy, since we are so used to worrying about the cops busting us!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ooSRYCNfGY/ThTHsOUpFNI/AAAAAAAABvw/LpCMM_nFwl4/s1600/IMG_5855.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 231px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ooSRYCNfGY/ThTHsOUpFNI/AAAAAAAABvw/LpCMM_nFwl4/s400/IMG_5855.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626341397065438418" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Josh and Maddie</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TvhrvwC5Mz4/ThTHrMcilpI/AAAAAAAABvo/LnOD5eF7mgk/s1600/IMG_5865.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 230px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TvhrvwC5Mz4/ThTHrMcilpI/AAAAAAAABvo/LnOD5eF7mgk/s400/IMG_5865.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626341379381827218" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Then the crazy wired-kid stuff started...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IC0wu324RqQ/ThTF4z_uQtI/AAAAAAAABvI/P4MDgmyqm2c/s1600/DSC_0142.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 340px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IC0wu324RqQ/ThTF4z_uQtI/AAAAAAAABvI/P4MDgmyqm2c/s400/DSC_0142.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626339414313419474" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We looked over after we heard Josh saying, "Jack, just lay down here so I can jump over you."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jack dodged the bullet this time!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g0QxIm_E-B8/ThTF4ZjTaXI/AAAAAAAABvA/lqc5oyVkriU/s1600/DSC_0145.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g0QxIm_E-B8/ThTF4ZjTaXI/AAAAAAAABvA/lqc5oyVkriU/s400/DSC_0145.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626339407214897522" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We had a really great time with this family! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Holidays are so much better when they are full of people, laughing, and fun!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-89990904821927014342011-07-01T12:49:00.000-07:002011-07-01T14:03:40.933-07:00SO MUCH TO CATCH UP ON!!!<div>Bear with me. And enjoy all the photos!!! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">(especially Aunt Noma!)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">EASTER</span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kr4XpA9YShs/Tg4lnKGFQCI/AAAAAAAABsg/OU93I96kf78/s400/DSC_0010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624474339287318562" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MTWOUXuQ3Tg/Tg4loRkA4nI/AAAAAAAABsw/7BtZ3PjLE_c/s400/DSC_0021.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624474358471778930" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oE7YTIQTUJ4/Tg4mQ32CNZI/AAAAAAAABtA/VQ8XK5tOk2A/s400/DSC_0030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624475055942677906" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9O8czTxGd40/Tg4ln1yJ6cI/AAAAAAAABso/zZX8JhabB9o/s400/DSC_0014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624474351014898114" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4gj5Q8anOK4/Tg4mQuY9SFI/AAAAAAAABs4/oqHBfvhYVP8/s400/DSC_0029.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624475053404801106" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2saS3eAhXDY/Tg4mRdOe-gI/AAAAAAAABtI/u2aUfchhoRs/s400/DSC_0033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624475065977338370" /><div style="text-align: center;">Until these holidays with "surprise mornings" come along, I admit that I forget how magical they can be! Of course we discussed the true importance of Easter. But the element of morning fun is a tradition as well.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z2CEP9dZrCA/Tg4nSOhG4wI/AAAAAAAABtw/DxSvf1XrNEk/s400/DSC_0050.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624476178720416514" /><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q4yEPhslRw8/Tg4mSogsSTI/AAAAAAAABtY/6FBcDYOHjwY/s400/DSC_0037.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624475086186367282" /><div style="text-align: center;">I love this picture of Layla, who has an obsession with footwear. You can see that she completely threw aside her favorites (the slippers) for her cool, new sandals!!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dwMAxOP7SRQ/Tg4nR9nyGsI/AAAAAAAABto/3k7bLD8w1AY/s400/DSC_0045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624476174185011906" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WsN6sDRsd1A/Tg4nRkBWtXI/AAAAAAAABtg/azlH5MCtM1U/s400/DSC_0041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624476167312946546" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NIzhvPaRDoc/Tg4mSNH_VjI/AAAAAAAABtQ/R7RCMfNuWFg/s400/DSC_0035.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624475078835000882" /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large; ">----------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large; ">MEMORIAL DAY</span></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YdpsI_I-FZw/Tg4nStnhU7I/AAAAAAAABt4/cqRXzZkmox0/s400/IMG_0723.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624476187068814258" /><div style="text-align: center;">We picnicked and "hiked" around at the 'Our Lady of Guadalupe' shrine, near south La Crosse.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(thanks for the idea Brenna!</span>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dWlXft5BnJU/Tg4oXtej0cI/AAAAAAAABuQ/97CWl_Sg1t8/s400/IMG_0725.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624477372442202562" /><div style="text-align: center;">And thanks to our neighbor, who completely spoils our kids, the kiddos were able to keep busy with bubble wands. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bt27_Mej3rU/Tg4oXLgUZ9I/AAAAAAAABuI/SsL7n7kNY5A/s400/IMG_0724.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624477363322775506" /><div style="text-align: center;">This was a very hot and humid day, but so beautiful! I mean, look at all the green.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X4hbPyHfCgw/Tg4ot6z7tgI/AAAAAAAABu4/AZ9xU7Q5Sp0/s1600/IMG_0730.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dPEBwr8hbMI/Tg4oYHFhXkI/AAAAAAAABuY/VNSQxNuqBf8/s400/IMG_0726.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624477379316506178" /><div style="text-align: center;">From what I can remember, the Lady of Guadalupe is the patron saint of unborn babies. </div><div style="text-align: center;">After climbing quite a trail, in the crazy humidity, there was a very ornate chapel along with some other statues. It was peaceful, and there was a reverence to the surroundings.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X4hbPyHfCgw/Tg4ot6z7tgI/AAAAAAAABu4/AZ9xU7Q5Sp0/s1600/IMG_0730.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X4hbPyHfCgw/Tg4ot6z7tgI/AAAAAAAABu4/AZ9xU7Q5Sp0/s1600/IMG_0730.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X4hbPyHfCgw/Tg4ot6z7tgI/AAAAAAAABu4/AZ9xU7Q5Sp0/s400/IMG_0730.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624477753978631682" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We are really bad at taking pics of the 2 of us...</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QjwGWmgFJOM/Tg4oYqKwmvI/AAAAAAAABug/kJfY-wjTgVo/s400/IMG_0727.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624477388733717234" /><div style="text-align: center;">This was the perfect walk/climb to really wear out the kids. And THANK GOODNESS we happened to have the stroller that day!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NkKoAqsaSyg/Tg4ot_WS_8I/AAAAAAAABuw/km8kDMhHZJo/s1600/IMG_0729.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NkKoAqsaSyg/Tg4ot_WS_8I/AAAAAAAABuw/km8kDMhHZJo/s1600/IMG_0729.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 400px; " src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NkKoAqsaSyg/Tg4ot_WS_8I/AAAAAAAABuw/km8kDMhHZJo/s400/IMG_0729.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624477755196506050" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Umm, not a glamour shot AT ALL!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cMm164myvhw/Tg4oZCm2NkI/AAAAAAAABuo/IpV_TPhAKqc/s1600/IMG_0728.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cMm164myvhw/Tg4oZCm2NkI/AAAAAAAABuo/IpV_TPhAKqc/s1600/IMG_0728.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 400px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cMm164myvhw/Tg4oZCm2NkI/AAAAAAAABuo/IpV_TPhAKqc/s400/IMG_0728.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624477395293976130" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We can't wait to go on more local adventures, since we still have so much to see and do!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">-------------------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JR0GJHIkLcQ/Tg4lmcVT8TI/AAAAAAAABsQ/Mp8mcTyd9J4/s400/DSC_0005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624474327003164978" /><div style="text-align: center;">And I can't remember when I took these. (maybe last May) But they are the "You know you have a toddler when..." kind of pictures!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nfVWgcOQiGE/Tg4lm5w7B9I/AAAAAAAABsY/EEvkQSFe3c4/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nfVWgcOQiGE/Tg4lm5w7B9I/AAAAAAAABsY/EEvkQSFe3c4/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nfVWgcOQiGE/Tg4lm5w7B9I/AAAAAAAABsY/EEvkQSFe3c4/s400/DSC_0006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624474334903601106" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">She's crazy!</div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-9046558476075098892011-06-10T18:47:00.000-07:002011-06-11T20:10:37.685-07:00Heading Home - UT part 3<div>We had such a great, busy, family-filled visit... But our time in UT came to an end. First of all, THANK YOU to the Goates and the Montagues for letting us stay in your homes, with all of our busy kiddos! They had a blast, and we love you so much.</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YCoYpUYTg3s/TfQoOmbXcxI/AAAAAAAABrI/HUMuc2VWsF4/s400/IMG_0668.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617158866536461074" /><div style="text-align: center;">Before we left town, we were able to meet the Jacobs and the Smiths for dinner at the Red Iguana. (yum, yum, yum!) </div><div style="text-align: center;">We miss you guys!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fZqIqwv4Uvw/TfQoPBD9oBI/AAAAAAAABrQ/ljEF7rBlbzA/s400/IMG_0693.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617158873686056978" /><div style="text-align: center;">So, not 5 minutes up Parley's Canyon and we heard the dreaded sound of all sounds... All of the unknown made Jack so nervous that he kept his face in the "bucket" for the next 30 minutes. (poor guy!) Oh, and this was after a 45 minute visit to a weekend clinic to treat some eye infections. What a send off!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O35dqctjeRo/TfQoP7eUUeI/AAAAAAAABrg/3mpaK_0fK4E/s400/IMG_0698.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617158889365852642" /><div style="text-align: center;">WALL DRUG</div><div style="text-align: center;">For those who have made the journey across South Dakota, you totally know why we had to stop. For miles and miles, and more miles, all we saw were signs singing praises about this "historic" must-see. "Free Ice Water." "Fresh Fudge." </div><div style="text-align: center;">Dan made fun of the whole idea of, mostly because he was sick of the signs. (honestly, there was nothing else to look at) But when we stopped, it totally became the Dan show! I think he had more fun than the kids...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ns_fDn1xU2Q/TfQpQzW30TI/AAAAAAAABsI/Yt_uMdtKqSw/s1600/IMG_0712.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GIkJx-MY5TI/TfQpPxXvaBI/AAAAAAAABrw/y9l0p_fw1xI/s400/IMG_0707.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617159986165540882" /><div style="text-align: center;">(yep, very off-limits)</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vb1gC0x20c4/TfQoPUgRmHI/AAAAAAAABrY/SwdM1ANGsH0/s400/IMG_0697.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617158878905079922" /><div style="text-align: center;">This was a special picture meant for those with a sense of humor! All Dan's idea, of course!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ns_fDn1xU2Q/TfQpQzW30TI/AAAAAAAABsI/Yt_uMdtKqSw/s1600/IMG_0712.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ns_fDn1xU2Q/TfQpQzW30TI/AAAAAAAABsI/Yt_uMdtKqSw/s1600/IMG_0712.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ns_fDn1xU2Q/TfQpQzW30TI/AAAAAAAABsI/Yt_uMdtKqSw/s400/IMG_0712.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617160003878637874" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Silly Faces!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f_xR-5JrEUw/TfQpQWlcaOI/AAAAAAAABsA/zzz1n9W739s/s1600/IMG_0711.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f_xR-5JrEUw/TfQpQWlcaOI/AAAAAAAABsA/zzz1n9W739s/s1600/IMG_0711.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f_xR-5JrEUw/TfQpQWlcaOI/AAAAAAAABsA/zzz1n9W739s/s400/IMG_0711.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617159996155128034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">"I want, I want"</div><div style="text-align: center;">(not a fan of touristy toy stores)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ft-hftEsTHg/TfQpQGccS-I/AAAAAAAABr4/OTEeFWIorOo/s1600/IMG_0710.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ft-hftEsTHg/TfQpQGccS-I/AAAAAAAABr4/OTEeFWIorOo/s400/IMG_0710.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617159991822404578" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">None of us really understood what this was, but surprisingly, it was Jack who climbed up!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MhhlXndyNu8/TfQoQcSs5pI/AAAAAAAABro/GY6jyZ0_O00/s1600/IMG_0701.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MhhlXndyNu8/TfQoQcSs5pI/AAAAAAAABro/GY6jyZ0_O00/s400/IMG_0701.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617158898175501970" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks, Wall Drug, for all of the really random memories! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">And thanks again UT friends and family for the wonderful time! </div><div style="text-align: center;">See you all very soon!</div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-35613561444055998322011-06-06T07:59:00.000-07:002011-06-06T08:25:07.626-07:00While in Utah<div>...still at Charlie Chow's:</div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxFJYxpLXtvwEhYZjaq-urZMPbHt57RDDVxSlM0VOxyHBEAZDD0ZNPQ57LS2VJKkFqwCZUTSRpA6qOr_YN3AQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div>I watched Jack try and try to use his chopsticks. When no one else noticed his patient efforts, I grabbed my camera. I love this boy and his determination without frustration!</div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-1383321564331052812011-06-05T13:06:00.000-07:002011-06-06T07:37:11.657-07:00The Trip Home - part 2<div style="text-align: center;">It was much too early in the year to find any type of water park/pool to go play in. Plus, it had been a bit cold. But we can always rely on The Gateway for some fun!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--YaYhukgfOA/Tevi5bkZOwI/AAAAAAAABqg/aWdhEfQWfKs/s400/IMG_0683.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614830836728281858" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GjBTCe2y1uU/Tevi4uYGBeI/AAAAAAAABqQ/m-q9BGDpxP4/s400/IMG_0681.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614830824597095906" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WO9q7v3oYM4/Tevi4P17LLI/AAAAAAAABqI/MnQ1zHjc3ds/s400/IMG_0677.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614830816400714930" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uTVSvtI_ZXE/Tevi34TGBbI/AAAAAAAABqA/iL8ThIulFVc/s400/IMG_0672.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614830810080609714" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-92zLhjJcF7s/Tevi5PHoIkI/AAAAAAAABqY/4T29usJEv4s/s400/IMG_0682.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614830833386398274" /><div style="text-align: center;">We were happy to meet our Aunt Lynsie, Grampa Russ, and baby Chance! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_xiPo9DB-RU/Tevj7HLgjzI/AAAAAAAABqo/ex0b2h2EkC4/s400/IMG_0685.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614831965126561586" /><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PSlEBhRDRtU/Tevj7gbs7-I/AAAAAAAABqw/2-yxkLaJXwA/s400/IMG_0686.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614831971905368034" /><div style="text-align: center;">Seriously, is it THIS HARD to get a good picture of all 3 of my kids at the same time!!?</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P4ykoJdZbjQ/Tevj8BQH50I/AAAAAAAABq4/JTf6rmJwgUs/s400/IMG_0688.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614831980715173698" /><div style="text-align: center;">... and this was the shot that pretty much convinced me that Layla is no longer a baby. Look how long her logs are, and how huge she is in this stroller!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3BLDYNR2zqQ/Tevj8mD8o4I/AAAAAAAABrA/bAetmDXsbg0/s1600/IMG_0692.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3BLDYNR2zqQ/Tevj8mD8o4I/AAAAAAAABrA/bAetmDXsbg0/s1600/IMG_0692.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3BLDYNR2zqQ/Tevj8mD8o4I/AAAAAAAABrA/bAetmDXsbg0/s400/IMG_0692.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614831990596215682" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And then we met Uncle Levi and his cool motorcycle at his favorite restaurant: Charlie Chow's.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Layla was the only brave one to check out his ride!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwjixtPxW3sFwoPxJlAvM5bedMMQBzxbR0NnfFNAj9oX1Kcc5kyQc4WDPrNZUghnEiFxw2Ct_6xGzIGA-1-Gw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-54491967806816458992011-05-30T19:43:00.000-07:002011-05-30T20:40:55.217-07:00The Trip Home - pt 1<div>We were SO SO excited to make our way back to Utah! We decided that flying all 5 of us was crazy-expensive, so we started planning early for a smooth, LONG road trip. Honestly, a 2-day, 21-hour drive really made me nervous. Plus, we had just decided that our 4-Runner (16 yrs old) was probably not going to make it this year... We squished all 5 of us in to our smaller, Mercedes. Talk about cramped quarters.</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d-H2VJQqeiE/TeRXKymkS1I/AAAAAAAABos/DvHpqv2u42E/s400/IMG_0623.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612706878504323922" /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Jack was the first of the kiddos to fall asleep EVERY time! It was great, except that he snores like a chainsaw! (there are many who can attest to that)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The kids did SO, unbelievable well. Layla was the one I was most nervous about. For the boys, we had movies, coloring books, Tag Reading systems, and TONS of snacks. But what to do with a toddler for that long. She seemed happy enough just to have her blanket and her binky, which is a usually just for sleep. But we had a stroke of genius when we got 2 sets of headphones to use for the the DVD player. It was SILENT in our car for a few hours, and that was heaven!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LcoybhUv9_I/TeRXLglVYyI/AAAAAAAABo8/Qak0aeBvigc/s400/IMG_0625.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612706890847183650" /><div style="text-align: center;">Before I explain these 2 photos, let me just say that THERE IS NOTHING to look at in South Dakota. Then all of a sudden you see sign after sign leading up to some silly tourist-whatever... These pictures are to The Corn Palace. (the "world's only") </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2bQRbwOVLUM/TeRXLX7AQZI/AAAAAAAABo0/ZtCYTCK7zWI/s400/IMG_0624.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612706888522154386" /><div style="text-align: center;">And since I must be the sucker that falls victim to such consistent advertising, we totally HAD to go see it!! Folks, it's just a building covered in ears of colorful corn... BUT, I did learn that they have to change out all the ears of corn annually, since it becomes a snack to birds all year. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My iPhone camera didn't do it justice, but those murals are pretty huge. So that's a crazy amount of corn.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tWKDjglouko/TeRYVCl1zVI/AAAAAAAABp0/Uzemd9kGIvA/s1600/IMG_0663.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EV6Xn0Xz2i4/TeRXMLx0gWI/AAAAAAAABpE/6NYQISf_QgE/s400/IMG_0633.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612706902442279266" /><div style="text-align: center;">THIS little man being held by Jack, was the reason why we waited until May to visit:</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chance Michael Hone</div><div style="text-align: center;">He is our brand new cousin, and we were so excited to meet him and see his mom and dad. (Lynsie and Levi Hone) We waited until Chance's blessing day to make our journey, and cuddling with him made it all worth it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4V5c7yaYRV8/TeRYT92mUTI/AAAAAAAABpU/Kjf5yIN2rn4/s400/IMG_0640.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612708135654805810" /><div style="text-align: center;">Layla had a rare lovey-moment with her little cousin!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dtuz-yutAZc/TeRXMfqbngI/AAAAAAAABpM/VQtKirjqotc/s400/IMG_0637.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612706907779997186" /><div style="text-align: center;">I know this picture is blury, but I could not get enough cuddle time with Chance! He was so sweet, and just so good. I like to think that we made a connection and he just might remember me when we see him later this year!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></u></span></div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3C7zhqELaQY/TeRYUr1vrGI/AAAAAAAABpk/zViAIvbzKjg/s1600/IMG_0660.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3C7zhqELaQY/TeRYUr1vrGI/AAAAAAAABpk/zViAIvbzKjg/s400/IMG_0660.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612708147999255650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">SURPRISE!! We had a lucky opportunity to see Granny and Grampa Dan, who had flown from CA to head to Moab. So we were able to meet them for breakfast and to hang out for a bit.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QKoIeBuVdmA/TeRYUf6XnJI/AAAAAAAABpc/z6DVDhtx_Uk/s1600/IMG_0644.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QKoIeBuVdmA/TeRYUf6XnJI/AAAAAAAABpc/z6DVDhtx_Uk/s1600/IMG_0644.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QKoIeBuVdmA/TeRYUf6XnJI/AAAAAAAABpc/z6DVDhtx_Uk/s400/IMG_0644.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612708144797424786" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">For the first part of our stay, we got to share our Gramma and Grampa Goates' house with Jamie and Gracie! Layla and Gracie took a bit to warm up to each other, but pretty soon they were little buddies!! These 2 girls are so sweet and so funny, and we had so much fun reintroducing them. (but we sure missed Ryan!) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am really bad at taking pictures with the 3 kiddos keeping me busy, and I really didn't get many while we stayed with my parents. BUT, this doesn't mean we weren't so grateful and happy to stay there. It felt like home... because it still is! We love you, mom and dad Goates.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">To be continued...</div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-92188236876009222002011-05-25T18:52:00.000-07:002011-05-25T19:18:51.490-07:00Playing at the Lakes<div>I actually have no clue what this HUGE park is called, but it not only has playground stuff but frisbee-golf courses, baseball diamonds, bike paths, and probably more that I haven't discovered yet. And of course, the "lakes" that cover another large area of the park. (during the winter, there were tons of ice fishing huts) Oh, and it's actually in Minnesota! </div><div><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ig2XkeH0Ps/Td20S8E7HfI/AAAAAAAABn8/tOlLzmD34B4/s1600/IMG_0599.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ig2XkeH0Ps/Td20S8E7HfI/AAAAAAAABn8/tOlLzmD34B4/s400/IMG_0599.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610838948230929906" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(don't worry grandma, this part was very shallow and not near the playground!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This was the shot I got when I tried to get all 3 kiddos to pose in front of the water and the surrounding bluffs. Notice that Josh is not there... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CkmGiKQA1IM/Td2z4ykZMrI/AAAAAAAABn0/ziSQ-cGQ4b0/s1600/IMG_0598.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CkmGiKQA1IM/Td2z4ykZMrI/AAAAAAAABn0/ziSQ-cGQ4b0/s400/IMG_0598.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610838499001971378" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">But Josh was excited to show off his awesome climbing skills! He doesn't remember that he used to hang out at the climbing gym with mom and dad when he was really little.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AIPG9T65bS4/Td2z4SV_yPI/AAAAAAAABns/DpRr1uS04wY/s1600/IMG_0596.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AIPG9T65bS4/Td2z4SV_yPI/AAAAAAAABns/DpRr1uS04wY/s400/IMG_0596.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610838490351651058" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Even our timid Jack was ready for the amount of sunshine that motivated us to get out and play! He's not usually my climber.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AoT_n5aUNac/Td2z20dlKTI/AAAAAAAABnU/xj7h7LJ9YLo/s400/IMG_0585.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610838465150527794" /><div style="text-align: center;">The very first thing we all ran to was this ancient merry-go-round. My kids had never seen one and they ALL hopped on. This is pretty big for my boys who rarely try anything new these days. They loved going around, and I loved all the giggling! I almost couldn't get Layla away from it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yNw5hCrWxx8/Td2z34lqomI/AAAAAAAABnk/ZJnjsf6kKTs/s1600/IMG_0591.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yNw5hCrWxx8/Td2z34lqomI/AAAAAAAABnk/ZJnjsf6kKTs/s1600/IMG_0591.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yNw5hCrWxx8/Td2z34lqomI/AAAAAAAABnk/ZJnjsf6kKTs/s400/IMG_0591.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610838483438051938" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Josh has gotten very, very in to baseball. He starts t-ball next month and CAN-NOT-WAIT!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(his former pitching daddy is so proud)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GufKvxkUnhQ/Td2z3b378CI/AAAAAAAABnc/5c8GvXTAEZE/s1600/IMG_0586.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GufKvxkUnhQ/Td2z3b378CI/AAAAAAAABnc/5c8GvXTAEZE/s400/IMG_0586.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610838475730055202" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">So despite that crazy amount of wind that night, and our food blowing away in it, we still had a good time. Winter was WAY TOO LONG here in Wisconsin. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-38469875912352553012011-05-25T15:33:00.000-07:002011-05-25T15:40:16.688-07:00While you wait...<div>This site is currently being inundated with photos and tales that go back a couple of months, span across a few states, and include lots of fun moments.</div><div><br /></div><div>We appreciate your patience while you wait.</div><div><br /></div><div>Please enjoy this video as a token of our gratitude for your support!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzR1-MfqS_0QJQ4E7HcCjRAmDjvFyvko0LNLBiJZwPCFuqrt2XSsYgVyENHu4gN70-Pwc8EKAvwMfPnOpTjdg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-76060068664426604702011-04-22T07:10:00.000-07:002011-04-22T20:56:49.514-07:00Trek to Ohio<div style="text-align: center;">We were missing family, so we drove to our closest set:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ben & Amanda & Owen</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ohio</div><div style="text-align: center;">11 hour drive!</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UDJGOEcmR5s/TbJJMofZVTI/AAAAAAAABnM/5jHFAAjG7rU/s1600/IMG_0527.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UDJGOEcmR5s/TbJJMofZVTI/AAAAAAAABnM/5jHFAAjG7rU/s400/IMG_0527.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598617768151307570" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This little cutie quickly became Jack's little buddy! Layla also had fun having someone else around that is her size. </div><div style="text-align: center;">WE LOVE COUSINS</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AWQE-CaE6QY/TbGNPuyweFI/AAAAAAAABmc/0mZVvngHJus/s400/IMG_0522.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598411113196714066" /><div style="text-align: center;">The days were cold, but when the sun would peek out, the boys would find their way outside: chalk art, playground, hiking!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(I realize that I have no pics of adults... oops!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qTZzS0K4Ubg/TbGNPE_DdxI/AAAAAAAABmU/KUhPEjK3G64/s400/IMG_0519.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598411101974001426" /><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you Owen for letting Josh and Jack sleep in your toy room, and fall asleep with your sock monkeys!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-paFAwaQW1TU/TbGNQWQeigI/AAAAAAAABmk/mkff2jeckB8/s400/IMG_0541.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598411123790350850" /><div style="text-align: center;">On our way home, we passed by Chicago. One day, when it's warmer, Dan and I will head back there for a much needed vacation.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-86pXxg-80es/TbGNRX2iJRI/AAAAAAAABm0/R5baS4vyGko/s400/IMG_0554.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598411141398275346" /><div style="text-align: center;">Of course we had to try Chicago style deep-dish pizza. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;">SO YUMMY!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMhmNMj_Ifk/TbGWLRzKc8I/AAAAAAAABm8/HpE7k-FzEYk/s400/IMG_0558.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598420932298961858" /><div style="text-align: center;">We are lucky to have boys who will sleep just about anywhere. Layla is not so easy, but will sleep in any crib as long as she has her favorite pink blanket.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vSGA_SHj_wA/TbGWLqCgBlI/AAAAAAAABnE/8pq_BfhTnEM/s1600/IMG_0559.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vSGA_SHj_wA/TbGWLqCgBlI/AAAAAAAABnE/8pq_BfhTnEM/s1600/IMG_0559.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 400px; " src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vSGA_SHj_wA/TbGWLqCgBlI/AAAAAAAABnE/8pq_BfhTnEM/s400/IMG_0559.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598420938805741138" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And to send us on our way - a breakfast fit for a 'King!' </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(can you guess where we are?)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fob47bj1Yx0/TbGNQjQGPVI/AAAAAAAABms/BAmXJ9I9sRg/s1600/IMG_0543.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fob47bj1Yx0/TbGNQjQGPVI/AAAAAAAABms/BAmXJ9I9sRg/s400/IMG_0543.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598411127278419282" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Everyone did a great job staying patient and happy. This was a good test run before our really LOOOONG drive to Utah in a bit. As long as the truckers pay attention to the boys who are begging them to pull their horns, we should be just fine!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you Ben and Amanda for letting us totally invite ourselves to your home!</div><br /></div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-25772098673345900342011-04-13T12:28:00.000-07:002011-04-13T12:54:08.807-07:00Layla the Toddler<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 372px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BcT5u9wnBIQ/TaX57OuPc9I/AAAAAAAABl0/DAhywJ331As/s400/DSC_0029.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595152908037354450" /><div style="text-align: center;">The only little girl in our house just became a toddler. I consider 18 months to end baby-hood. There were no tears this time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rOxfhXxfPKQ/TaX57oxSbHI/AAAAAAAABmM/MDLSK0M-7lM/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rOxfhXxfPKQ/TaX57oxSbHI/AAAAAAAABmM/MDLSK0M-7lM/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 400px; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rOxfhXxfPKQ/TaX57oxSbHI/AAAAAAAABmM/MDLSK0M-7lM/s400/DSC_0030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595152915029453938" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Likes:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Shoes. Tutus. Her pink blanket. Kitties. Dogs. Bedtime binky. Fruit snacks. Blue's Clues. Baths. Being outside, doing anything. Eating snow. Singing songs with actions. Wrestling with brothers. Pasta anything. Oatmeal. Yogurt. Grapes. Climbing everything. Sitting in the middle of our table. Playing with mom's iPhone. Having her picture taken. "Helping" unload dishwasher.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HuhdBLS1r5o/TaX57XGqieI/AAAAAAAABl8/1cLEdATE9qE/s400/DSC_0032.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595152910287276514" /><div style="text-align: center;">Dislikes:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bananas. (since 4 months) Being mimicked. (she can sound like a car alarm when she whines, so we do it back) Grilled Cheese. Getting caught. Brothers trying to hug her when it's not her idea. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MfDeRintZ5o/TaX57fPndAI/AAAAAAAABmE/8v8s3B-Ag_E/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MfDeRintZ5o/TaX57fPndAI/AAAAAAAABmE/8v8s3B-Ag_E/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 400px; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MfDeRintZ5o/TaX57fPndAI/AAAAAAAABmE/8v8s3B-Ag_E/s400/DSC_0034.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595152912472306690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">What we love about Layla:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Only her brothers get her to belly-laugh, and it's priceless!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">She likes to "sing" when we are in the car.</div><div style="text-align: center;">She has ALWAYS woken up a happy, smiley girl.</div><div style="text-align: center;">She is the first to try everything, before her older brothers. (no fear)</div><div style="text-align: center;">She can totally hold her own - against brothers or any other kids.</div><div style="text-align: center;">She is quick to forgive and forget.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">We love our Layla Hope Montague.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-16049101330758434132011-04-05T16:53:00.000-07:002011-04-05T17:00:00.554-07:00I Kid You NotThis was our dinner conversation tonight:<div><br /></div><div>Jack: (he had lost his shirt after spilling milk on it) "What are these little things, mom?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Me: "Your nipples. Everyone has them."</div><div><br /></div><div>Jack: "Josh, do you have <b>pickles</b>?" (seriously, without missing a beat)</div><div><br /></div><div>Josh: (searching his fingers) "I think I have one right on this finger."</div><div><br /></div><div>(by now I am totally laughing, and encouraging this to keep going)</div><div><br /></div><div>Me: "Ask dad if he has pickles."</div><div><br /></div><div>Jack: "Dad, are your pickles big or little?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Josh: "Mom, you have really big pickles!"</div><div><br /></div><div>Jack: "Mom, show your pickles to dad."</div><div><br /></div><div>**This is where Dan and I at the same time started to envision teenage boys in our days dragging State and yelling: "Show me your pickles!" (we literally said it at the same time!)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Your welcome.</div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-53201381881251756372011-03-15T18:19:00.001-07:002011-03-15T18:22:37.793-07:00I Forgot...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FiTajjOfnJQ/TYAQcExCt8I/AAAAAAAABls/wltYNlKmTig/s1600/IMG_0416.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FiTajjOfnJQ/TYAQcExCt8I/AAAAAAAABls/wltYNlKmTig/s400/IMG_0416.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584481612441237442" /></a>... to include a picture of this too-smart-for-his-own-good, bus-riding, chillin' like a villain - Joshy Washy!<div style="text-align: center;">(he hates it when we call him that!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-40185729288903005782011-03-14T12:25:00.000-07:002011-03-14T13:04:39.992-07:00Just Some Thoughts<div>I miss Utah. I miss my family and friends - the people who really know me. For the most part, I put on a brave face and try to act positive. But it's exhausting sometimes. I think I am learning a lot about myself since I am here. Some days, I can't fake it. Now that there is a countdown until our trip to UT, I feel myself getting very impatient, and wanting to stay there for weeks. (not just 1) </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--K7mlG8MxMw/TX5sqlcZBPI/AAAAAAAABlk/vK_P4VInsh4/s1600/IMG_0455.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--K7mlG8MxMw/TX5sqlcZBPI/AAAAAAAABlk/vK_P4VInsh4/s400/IMG_0455.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584020066847491314" /></a>But, while we are here, we are going to really see Wisconsin. You know? Right now, we are in a tiny town in just 1 corner. We will be heading to Milwaukee for Dan's b-day next week, so I will get a chance to see something new. I hope to see Madison, WI. I have a couple of EHS friends there. If my kiddos continue to be good road-trippers and fall asleep, then we should have no problem. Anywhere we go is over 25 minutes, so they are getting used to it.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0TFxP2l0Tw/TX5spv68SoI/AAAAAAAABlU/Jak1qHYZjoU/s1600/IMG_0438.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0TFxP2l0Tw/TX5spv68SoI/AAAAAAAABlU/Jak1qHYZjoU/s400/IMG_0438.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584020052480117378" /></a>Josh was able to start attending Trempealeau Elementary's 4k. (this is preschool run by the school district) He gets on a big, yellow bus Mon-Thurs and is gone ALL afternoon. He loves it all - bus, class, teacher!! But the cutest part of his being gone, is how lovey Layla has gotten with him. EVERY time he walks through the door, all suited with snow pants, coat, and hat, Layla gives him a sweet hug. Oh, it melts my heart!<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Goswbz8h2cw/TX5spB8KPgI/AAAAAAAABlM/z7f9eQm3wOw/s1600/IMG_0414.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Goswbz8h2cw/TX5spB8KPgI/AAAAAAAABlM/z7f9eQm3wOw/s400/IMG_0414.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584020040137195010" /></a>We had a huge snowstorm last week. We are tired of winter. I can't wait to go to the playground in town, (yes, I just said "in town") and discover trails rumored to be all over the bluffs. We are all really, really pearly white and some sun would do us all some good!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OZEovEWLoUg/TX5sow6U7vI/AAAAAAAABlE/lNgHUeiXGd0/s1600/DSCN9483.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OZEovEWLoUg/TX5sow6U7vI/AAAAAAAABlE/lNgHUeiXGd0/s400/DSCN9483.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584020035566104306" /></a>And you know, I am so excited to see THIS missionary come home this year!! His mission has been incredible, and the stories he sends home about the people he has met are amazing and inspiring. And the letters are a weekly reminder to me that no matter what challenges I face, our Heavenly Father has our best interest in mind ALL of the time. And I know that HE wanted us in WI, for whatever time it amounts to be. The lessons just keep presenting themselves - easy and not easy.</div><div><br /></div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-17395984946969422762011-03-05T20:15:00.000-08:002011-03-05T20:55:50.946-08:00Turning 30 - part 2Remember when I had almost no time but I decided to set 30 goals to achieve before <a href="http://4montagues.blogspot.com/2010/11/30-by-30.html">I turned 30</a>? Crazy, I know.<div><br /></div><div>Well, before I go through each goal, I'm gonna say that I'm <i>not</i> going to go through each goal! I don't have that kind of time.</div><div><br /></div><div>A few years ago, Elder Dallin H. Oaks gave a General Conference talk entitled <a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2007/10/good-better-best?lang=eng">"Good, Better, Best.</a>" He discussed the fact that we each have this list of all the things we <i>need</i> to and <i>have</i> to do in our lives, and that sometimes it's hard to choose between all the "good." With my limited amount of time, I found that I felt okay as I started to put my time towards certain goals and maybe realizing that others will have their place in the future.</div><div><br /></div><div>With that said, can I just say how grateful I am for <a href="http://lds.org/ensign/1986/11/the-book-of-mormon-keystone-of-our-religion?lang=eng&query=book+mormon">The Book of Mormon</a>. I am so happy that I set the time-consuming goal to start and complete it by my birthday. I love the conversations I have had with Josh (and Dan) about the prophets who lived amazing lives, taught us so much, and loved their people with their whole selves. I can honestly say with my whole heart that this book changes lives. It has changed mine. I know it will continue to be a source of strength to my family. It has brought a sense of peace to me as I brave this challenge I find myself facing . I know that my Savior, Jesus Christ came to this nation, among others, because he loves <b>all</b> of God's children and taught us to just endure with faith and hope in the face of all adversity. He wants us to return home.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>That</i> is what The Book of Mormon has done for me.</div><div>Amen.</div><div><br /></div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-23236569440364640802011-02-24T11:21:00.000-08:002011-02-24T11:42:39.103-08:00Turning 30 - part 1<div>I'm going to be honest. For me, turning 30 was hard. But not for the getting-older reasons. I was just sad not to have family or friends around... and really, it would have been awesome to have had someone plan me a surprise party for the big 3-0. Selfish? Maybe.</div><div><br /></div><div>I envisioned many scenarios with being able to fly certain people to come help me celebrate: sisters, mom, mom & sisters, a certain bestest girlfriend... None of them were budget-friendly.</div><div><br /></div><div>But don't worry. It turned out great. I started in to my 30's with my forever best friend - hubby. He arranged for a special visitor to come stay with the kids so we could "run away" for a night! </div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 393px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VC5Nz9y5u7I/TWawon9PbYI/AAAAAAAABks/Fs7ihvHBR0g/s400/IMG_0450.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577339400512040322" />So we drove up to the Twin Cities. And you know, the 2 1/2 hour drive seemed amazingly short when there were no kids to tend to! The drive along the half-frozen Mississippi River is just beautiful. But, it was about 10 degrees and stopping to take pictures was NOT tempting at all.<div><br /></div><div>Our hotel was pretty normal-blah-looking during the day, but when we returned (late) that night, it was a lot of fun! You would have thought we'd arrived in Vegas. It was a great hotel, btw, with a huge, comfy bed! (and 15 minutes from everything)<div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KlK88w0Qqx0/TWawoANkDqI/AAAAAAAABkc/W9jqhHjGCbQ/s400/IMG_0446.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577339389843082914" /><div style="text-align: center;">Can I just say, "WHAT THE WHAT?" When did I become SO old that popular stores are using <b>1981</b>, my birth year, as a vintage-sounding title? Has anyone else seen this?!?</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">(yes, we were at The Mall of America again!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LI4zCDq2koo/TWawoUzW29I/AAAAAAAABkk/MSdBG_Hhd8A/s400/IMG_0447.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577339395370310610" /><div style="text-align: center;">We had a fabulous dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. And you know, I would totally make that drive just to go there again!! Can you see the chocolate birthday wishes around the edge of the plate? So fun!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">(ps, it was -15 when we left the restaurant and then headed to a late movie... COLD)</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q9NwOsQygjQ/TWawo4nLoCI/AAAAAAAABk0/H8abDCyxNKk/s400/IMG_0451.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577339404982919202" /><div style="text-align: center;">I have no explanation for this. But if you lived where it was below ZERO all winter long, you'd need a new hobby to... I guess.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tyWK-iS_PuM/TWawowEXQFI/AAAAAAAABk8/0uGT6igjehQ/s1600/IMG_0453.JPG"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tyWK-iS_PuM/TWawowEXQFI/AAAAAAAABk8/0uGT6igjehQ/s1600/IMG_0453.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tyWK-iS_PuM/TWawowEXQFI/AAAAAAAABk8/0uGT6igjehQ/s400/IMG_0453.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577339402689396818" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And thank you to the man, Grampa Russ, that made our getaway possible! Everyone was happy and thriving when we returned. (and mostly I mean Russ!!) Those kids can make one nutty.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you to those who made my birthday special, even from miles and miles away. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I love you all.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-54677107472925935202011-02-20T20:02:00.000-08:002011-02-21T10:25:58.969-08:00New Past-time<div style="text-align: center;">After our visit from Granny and Grampa Dan, Josh has been spending his free time with this game!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AHbqmr60YWg/TWHj8uTLSzI/AAAAAAAABkU/YS_hM2uV55k/s1600/justdancekids.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AHbqmr60YWg/TWHj8uTLSzI/AAAAAAAABkU/YS_hM2uV55k/s400/justdancekids.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575988446021503794" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">After his first day at 4K preschool, which is over 3 hrs in WI, he ran in and said, "Mom, I have to go dance." (or something like that) My new favorite phrase I hear now is "Jack, come dance with me." Jack doesn't get in to it very often, but it does motivate him at other times...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So the game above inspired THIS:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/20200836" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/20200836">Untitled</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user6090909">Lindsey Montague</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">...which then inspired THIS. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(My boys are fantastic at gettin' down!)</div><div><br /></div><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/20186346" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/20186346">Untitled</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user6090909">Lindsey Montague</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-64462312563014382532011-02-18T20:11:00.001-08:002011-02-18T20:29:56.622-08:00Love Day<div>How do you get such yummy looking Valentine's Day cookies?</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Njn5D6Gb4Nk/TV9EBYN6D5I/AAAAAAAABkM/iNa5v76TuKg/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Njn5D6Gb4Nk/TV9EBYN6D5I/AAAAAAAABkM/iNa5v76TuKg/s400/DSC_0012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575249654179303314" /></a>First, you need some cute little helpers...<div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bS9TBLqGEmg/TV9EAp5OhRI/AAAAAAAABj0/SDt_OyuJvPk/s400/DSC_0008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575249641744532754" /><div style="text-align: center;">...like this girlie of mine who is constantly rearranging my kitchen drawers. (specifically my cooking utensils... it makes for a scavenger hunt every time I need something)</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b0XLJByx-aQ/TV9DeSrdtfI/AAAAAAAABjU/mnzw_hjQM-4/s400/DSC_0003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575249051397240306" /><div style="text-align: center;">Josh was my expert cookie-cutter-user. And thank you to Granny and Grampa Dan for the fun cutters!!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-60cOC3Fc8DE/TV9Devbzt_I/AAAAAAAABjc/u-u-tV3UN6I/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575249059116201970" /><div style="text-align: center;">Jack also loves to help in the kitchen, but especially when the end result is COOKIES! </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c8f67gDNKsU/TV9De0mosYI/AAAAAAAABjk/IxakbuEE3E8/s400/DSC_0005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575249060503794050" /><div style="text-align: center;">Loading them on the pan.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xlFJe0TQ0ew/TV9DfKaxJiI/AAAAAAAABjs/Ro1ahDfUfEY/s400/DSC_0007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575249066359596578" /><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, and the best part for sure - FROSTING!!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZBkTNXrwrw/TV9EBIiKgrI/AAAAAAAABkE/6tJX_P4I4Uw/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZBkTNXrwrw/TV9EBIiKgrI/AAAAAAAABkE/6tJX_P4I4Uw/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 400px; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZBkTNXrwrw/TV9EBIiKgrI/AAAAAAAABkE/6tJX_P4I4Uw/s400/DSC_0011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575249649969300146" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Grampa Dan can attest to the fact that when you start taking pictures of Layla, she DEMANDS for more! Every time I would stop and stand up, she would start to yell at me. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-utlVo-ljWzw/TV9EA-65K1I/AAAAAAAABj8/rBDcJo9lpnk/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-utlVo-ljWzw/TV9EA-65K1I/AAAAAAAABj8/rBDcJo9lpnk/s400/DSC_0009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575249647388666706" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">DIVA!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IuHO4hM5rt0/TV9DeRYBnpI/AAAAAAAABjM/yNnw10rAcXc/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IuHO4hM5rt0/TV9DeRYBnpI/AAAAAAAABjM/yNnw10rAcXc/s400/DSC_0001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575249051047272082" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Love Day</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">What a gorgeous way to end it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-35898622802343589752011-02-15T06:17:00.000-08:002011-02-15T06:27:00.801-08:00Thank You<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">Thank you to the endorphins that rushed through my brain this morning, making everything swirly.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">Thank you to the warm spell, allowing me to stretch my waking muscles in front of the open door.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">Thank you to the birds who have brave this harsh winter and create beautiful songs for my new routine.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">Thank you to the squirrels who hopped from tree to tree, bringing the dead branches to life.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">...and thanks to the 3 kids who AMAZINGLY did not disturb me during the much needed Me-time!</span></div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-74944886254047587042011-01-31T07:39:00.000-08:002011-01-31T07:41:54.389-08:00Sneezing<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">"Josh, do you know why we always wash our hands when we sneeze?"</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">"Germans!"</span></span></div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268440292934755979.post-91045020022625303692011-01-28T11:50:00.000-08:002011-01-28T12:26:47.465-08:00Star Wars has Arrived<div style="text-align: center;">In a galaxy far, far away, (maybe Wisconsin) the Force was unusually strong with one named JOSH. His 5th birthday revealed many skills that set him apart from others is age.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pbNlt_H8wic/TUMe6l295FI/AAAAAAAABiY/bB_fH_Hc3Rs/s400/DSC_0009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567327556303971410" /><div style="text-align: center;">... even Yoda was seen at this youngling's celebration.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pbNlt_H8wic/TUMe5x5mfYI/AAAAAAAABiI/TomJmK2u42g/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567327542356376962" /><div style="text-align: center;">Happy was this boy's family to see such festivities: fire displays, songs of joy, paper shredding.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pbNlt_H8wic/TUMe6HQqoCI/AAAAAAAABiQ/zwEIkxlYoNs/s400/DSC_0005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567327548090261538" /><div style="text-align: center;">Unexpectedly, Lord Vader revealed himself and a battle did commence.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pbNlt_H8wic/TUMiMBeD_JI/AAAAAAAABiw/z7gs8gp9kjU/s400/DSC_0018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567331154308365458" /><div style="text-align: center;">Great inner strength was shown as this boy came to the aid of Obi Wan.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pbNlt_H8wic/TUMiM7kAgaI/AAAAAAAABjA/hqbvkJ5vQMw/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pbNlt_H8wic/TUMiM7kAgaI/AAAAAAAABjA/hqbvkJ5vQMw/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px; " src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pbNlt_H8wic/TUMiM7kAgaI/AAAAAAAABjA/hqbvkJ5vQMw/s400/DSC_0029.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567331169902559650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Young Josh has learned to control his excitement with the ways of the Jedi.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pbNlt_H8wic/TUMiMlXFMeI/AAAAAAAABi4/AJzXUvKRqF4/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pbNlt_H8wic/TUMiMlXFMeI/AAAAAAAABi4/AJzXUvKRqF4/s400/DSC_0025.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567331163942760930" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">(most of the time)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pbNlt_H8wic/TUMe69kA7wI/AAAAAAAABig/IBnBq6lQCME/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pbNlt_H8wic/TUMe69kA7wI/AAAAAAAABig/IBnBq6lQCME/s400/DSC_0014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567327562666929922" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Well, maybe not!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We still love this boy, who loves Star Wars and wants to be a Jedi!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Lindsey Montaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15914817751055207096noreply@blogger.com1