Nevada City

While in Montana, we went to Nevada City, which is basically an old mining town. It's pretty close to Virginia City. I loved the old organs. Anna thought they were too loud. 

Here's an old hook and ladder cart. 

Frontier games. 

We attended a Miner's Court. Emersyn brought a claim against her family for missing stuffed animals. It was pretty funny. 

I liked seeing the living history parts. I wish we could have spent more time there, but it started raining and everyone was tired and ready to go home. 

Lewis & Clark Caverns

This past week, Rachael and I went to the Lewis & Clark Caverns in Montana while on vacation there with family. I haven't been there since I was a kid. I didn't remember it being so long or so tough. Rachael said she liked it except there wasn't a shortcut. It was probably just this side of her attention/endurance level. I love looking at all the formations there. 

The entryway to the caverns. 

The last natural light. 

A lot of it was fairly steep. 

 

She wasn't quite ready for the shot. 

Love the texture. 

The chocolate fountain. 

Atlas. 

Melaleuca Picnic

The girls had a blast at Patrick's company picnic. Anna wanted a pony ride, which convinced Rachael to give it a try. 

The face painting was so cute, even if it didn't stay on very long. 

The Ferris wheel and whirligig were so exciting. Waiting in line... not so much. 

After lunch, the girls tried walking on water. Well, Rachael did anyway. Anna just laid in there and floated. It took a little convincing to get her in there, but she liked it. 

Anna's favorite part: the mud by the water slides. 

Summer in Between

In between the other stuff (see previous post) life went on. We spent the 4th in a laid back way, ending with a BBQ. The girls loved the Murphy's little pool. We got one for us a few weeks later. 

We went to the river to feed the ducks. That will be the last time since the city just passed a new ordinance banning the feeding of waterfowl. 

Here's our new pool. 

Sigh

This summer has been rough (understatement of the year). Starting at the end of May, in fairly close succession, we had our debit card numbers stolen (again), our upstairs bathtub cracked and leaked through the downstairs ceiling, and our laptop died a sudden death. It took almost a whole month for the damage to our house to be dried out and repaired. The very day after they were finally done, I went in for my 38 week appointment. There was no heartbeat. An ultrasound confirmed that our baby was gone. We went to the hospital later that day. I delivered Gary Louis at 1 the next morning and we buried him the next Monday. Just over a week from that, on my birthday, Patrick collapsed in the parking lot of Walmart due (we later found out) to an acute attack of multiple sclerosis. Oh, and my cellphone had fallen in the toilet the day before that.

Needless to say, it's been pretty hard to cope with everything. Sometimes I feel like there is just so much pressing down on me it's hard to breathe let alone function. I've had to give up my plans and preparations. I miss my baby. I worry for Patrick.

We have had incredible blessings too. In the hospital, we were able to hold our baby. I was blessed to be able to see Gary as he really was and not how his little body looked. We felt him later in the temple and were given reassurance that he is with God. I have felt strength and peace that was not from me, but that I know came from the prayers of so many friends and family. People have helped us out with little things and big. Patrick's employer has been wonderfully accommodating and kind.

I'm sorry for the downer post. I promise the next one will be better.

Swimming Lessons

Just after Labor Day, we started 2 weeks of swimming lessons at the aquatic center. These pictures are from the last day. Rachael was in a pike class. Her big accomplishments included putting her face in the water and jumping in from the side.  Anna and I did the mom & tot class. Anna loved the water and did really well with kicking. 

Random Bits

Here are some little things that are kind of random.

Rachael:

• calls Anna sweet pea. Nobody else does.

• figured out how to whistle just before she turned 4. It had really been frustrating for her when she couldn't.

• is teaching herself letter sounds.

Anna:

• loves to say things are cute, especially when we pass the shoe aisle. 

• can open the garden gate even when it's latched with a carabiner.

• grabs my hand to lead me where I need to go.

Baby Boy:

• lives in my ribs, specifically his feet are always under my ribs on the right side.

• is the most active after 9 at night.

• can be grooving like crazy, but will freeze immediately when Patrick puts his hand on my belly.

Fabulous Four

Rachael turned 4 on Monday. She's been talking about it for so long, I can't believe her birthday finally came. We did a butterfly theme. Rachael acted out the butterfly life cycle that we learned in preschool. There were butterfly decorations and cake. I may be a little proud of how the cake turned out. 
Happy birthday, Rachael. We love you!