Grass, Grasshoppers, and Cars....

...just a lazy day in Montana! We took advantage of the great weather and hung out outside all morning. Tristan was having fun rolling in the grass, Emilia found a "ya-yopter" (grasshopper) friend, and they both had fun with the Little Tykes car.

Tristan in the grass

"Yook Mama, a ya-yopter!!!"

Inspecting the grasshopper

She thought it was really cool...it was not quite alive so it did not jump away. LOL!

Emilia pushing Tristan in the car.

What fun!

He was enjoying the ride...really!

Last Chance Train Tour of Helena

We went on the Last Chance Train Tour of Helena when my parents were here visiting. It takes you around Helena showing the mansions, historic buildings, and other important landmarks. It was a lot of fun!

Tristan, Opa, and Oma waiting for the train to get moving.

The "train"
Emilia waiting for the train to get moving.

The State Capital dome

The front of the Capital

Tristan was having so much fun!

A deer in the middle of town!

The Cathedral of Helena

Emilia got to pull the string to blow the whistle.

After the train tour, we went for dinner at a Mexican restaurant.

Emilia's 4th of July tractor ride!

Here are the tractor pictures from the 4th of July that I could not find. Emilia talked Papa into letting her help drive the tractor to the barn. She had so much fun! (Of course she had to take lamby on the ride too!!!)

Papa showing Emilia how to steer.

Backing up to the barn.
She thought it was funny. She kept laughing.

Tristan with Grandma. He wanted to go on the tractor...maybe next year when he is a little bigger!

28 week appointment

Doctor appointment at 28 weeks 2 days went well. The baby girl is measuring 2 pounds 12 ounces which is the 80th percentile. She is breech so it was hard to get her measurements. We saw her practicing to breath too. Since my blood pressure is starting to go up, I am on restricted activity. He said I need to slow down a bit to make sure my pressure does not go up too high. Here are the 3D photos from today. (They are all profile shots with her looking to the right.)

4 Years ago today....

...we were married in Littleton, Colorado. Steve was on crutches because he broke his knee about 8 weeks before the wedding and had surgery on it 6 weeks before the wedding.

Our engagement picture

Wedding day...his and her ringsThe whole family Marisa's attendants. Renee, Terri, and Mandy.

Steve's attendants. Mike, Kevin, and Denny. Ringbearers Aidan and Zion.Marisa and the flower girls/candle lighter. Rachel, Palen, Kaylea, and Zoe. The Hsieh family came from California to help celebrate. We had Marisa's dad perform the ceremony. It was awesome!It's official!

The happy couple at the reception.

Smooches!

24 weeks...

I had my 24 week appointment today. Everything looks great. Baby girl is about 1 pound 9 ounces and very active. My blood pressure is great as is everything else. We had an ultrasound to make sure she is growing well and she passed with flying colors. Here are some pictures from today.

3D/4D profile (she is looking to the right with her chin tucked down to her chest)

Profile

The girl parts...still 100% sure it is a girl. LOL!

Homemade Salsa is YUMMY!

I decided to make a batch of my salsa to can. It is so simple and so delicious! Emilia was my little helper. She did a great job!

All the ingredients

The salsa is ready to put in the jars

Into the water canner they go

Tristan says "I want a taste test mama!"

My apron to keep all the tomato off my clothes...my sister gave it to me for a wedding present

Emilia taste testing

The salsa is all done

Can't wait to have some!

The Recipe:

2 large cans petite diced tomatoes

4 cans fire roasted diced tomatoes

2 cans Rotel

6 large cans diced green chilies

1/2 tube of garlic paste

1/3 tube of cilantro paste

4 tablespoons vinegar

2 tablespoons liquid smoke

2 onions cut into chunks

splash of lemon juice

dash of salt

Drain liquid from tomatoes, chilies, and Rotel. Put all ingredients in food processor and puree leaving some chunks. Heat through before putting in hot glass canning jars. Process in water canner. Makes 10 pint jars.

Let's build a fence!

We are building a fence around our yard so we can all play out there without the worry that the kids or dogs are going to run into the street. It is going to be a 4 foot cedar fence. We are getting there...slowly but surely.

The front yard fence.

Steve bringing more 2x4s to work on the gate.

The side of the yard.

What did you find Emilia?
Oh fun a grasshopper! (She called it a ya-yopter.)

Tristan is a great supervisor!

Emilia was telling us how to build the gate.