O Tannenbaum

This is how Joseph decorates the tree

Getting the tree this year was not what we hoped for. We went to the ranch thinking we'd have a nice picnic and pick out a tree. It turned into a blizzard half way up the mountain. Bare roads suddenly had a foot of snow. When we turned off of the county road to drive into the house I'm not sure if we were ever on the road. We got out of the truck and had snow up to our knees. The wind was howling and it was 0 degrees. We decided to just turn back before we got blown in. Dad jumped out of the truck and cut the first decent tree along side the road we saw. And we boogied down the mountain.

November

Joseph behind the wheel of a tank in the park in Helena

Getting a family picture is harder than you might think

Burning slash at the cabin

Leslie and Kylie at one of Joseph's classmates birthday party

Brad and Rion at the ranch this fall

Fall 2009

HALLOWEEN 2009 - Joseph is a fireman and Kylie is a monkey. They had a great time. We went to a party at our church then trick-or-treated down our street.

Here we are walking in the halloween parade at our church party.

She sure makes a cute monkey!

They are throwing pennies into pumpkins. They had a blast.

The cute little tiger with us is Ollin (Kristin's little boy).

Kylie really wanted that donut. The donuts were hanging on a string and you had to eat it with out using your hands....Kylie is cheating as you can see.

My sweet little fireman.

Kylie in her monkey suit.

Kristin and Brad. We went to an adult halloween party and the theme was Rock Band. We played the Wii game "Rock Band" it was fun.

Our pumpkins!!

Joseph working on his pumpkin.

Mommy and Kylie carving their pumpkin. Yummy!!

Playing in the leaves in the front yard.

CHEESE!!!

Kylie 19 months, Addison 8 months.

Joseph, Kylie, and Ollin playing in the first snow fall (begining of Oct).

Kylie all ready to go outside.

Joseph all ready to go outside.

Ollin and Joseph checking out the snow.

Kylie and mommy in the hot tub.

Joseph, Kylie, and mommy enjoying a soak in the hot tub.

Kylie eating a snack. Cute piggies.

Joseph and Kylie feeding the ducks at the park.

Summer Activities

This is Joseph's First day of preschool pictures. He has a hard time with drop off, but every time we come to pick him up he is having a great time. He is getting so big. He is standing in front of our new cedar fence.

Nice smile Joseph. He was chasing me around the yard and not letting me take a picture of him. We were almost late for his first day of school. Silly Joseph.

PUTTING UP THE NEW FENCE

Joseph is outside "helping" build the fence. They (Brad, Dan, and Rion) took two weekends to build the fence and we love it. Still working on the BIG gate in the back but it is all done.

Joseph loved to help mix the concrete mix with the guys. He got to spray the water and watch them stir it.

This was Joseph's favorite part of building the fence. He helped dad dig almost all of the holes for the posts. He loved it.

This is the first hole. Kylie and Joseph had to watch every step of the fence building.


SIDING PARTY AT THE MCKEEVER'S

Kylie and Payton playing on the Gradal at the McKeever's new house. We were there to help do siding. I was the kid entertainment for the weekend. They all played very well together. Thank goodness for the huge pile of sand.

Joseph is "driving" the Gradal. Nice smile Payton!

MOWING THE LAWN

Joseph and Kylie both love to help mow the lawn. Joseph will follow dad pretty much the whole way around the lawn. He usually comes in 3/4 of the way done and is all hot and sweaty.

THE LEWIS FAMILY REUNION

Kylie and mommy checking out the stage coach and the horses.

Cousin Vic taught Joseph how to chewing on a weed.

ALASKAN CRUISE

Megs, Mo, Jess, and Leslie. Dress up night. Missed you Andrea!!

The whole Bjerke Bunch (minus Andrea and David).

Mo and Megs during our safety drill. Love the life jackets, looking good!

At the dock in Seattle, waiting to get on the ship.

NICE VIEW OUT OUR KITCHEN WINDOW

THE POLING FAMILY REUNION - FLATHEAD LAKE

Joseph pretty much lived in the water for three days.

Kylie loved to dig in the sand. I can't tell you how much sand I had to dig out of places that should never have sand in them. She had a lot of fun.

JOSEPH AND KYLIE MOVE INTO THEIR NEW HOUSE

TRIP TO THE BJERKE CABIN

Kylie checking out Joseph's catch.

Papa Dean took Joseph fishing and he caught this little trout. He was so proud of it. Then grandpa cooked it up for Joseph and he ate the whole thing and loved it :)

Kylie is enjoying a walk at the cabin.

SWIMMING AT A HOTEL IN MISSOULA

We stayed in Missoula for a night before my 4 sisters ran in a marathon relay. The kids loved the pool. There was this great indoor, warm, kiddie pool that was only about 2 feet deep. Just perfect for the kids.

THOMAS THE TRAIN (He came to Billings)

Here we are on Thomas the Train. Joseph and Kylie has a ball. It was a fun ride. The train just went a couple of blocks around the downtown area but Joseph thought it was so cool.

Couldn't miss a photo opportunity in front of the famous Thomas the Train.

DAY AT THE ZOO WITH ALL THE KIDS