First Bike Ride

I finally installed the kid seat on the back of my old bike. Gary, Theresa and Seth gave us Seth's old seat for Greta to use. Last year Seth outgrew it and started riding his own bike.....just kidding big guy! Seth is 11 and is pretty tough once he gets out of his car seat....or bike seat.
Greta and Kristi on her first ride. She loved cruising up and down the street. I know, I know, she needs a helmet. Sweet hat though.

Greta showing off her fancy new 2 bottom teeth. Look VERY closely to see the chompers. She is ready to do some serious damage...and to defend herself at daycare.

Greta put herself to sleep holding her own bottle. She would wake up every now and again to take another drink. Reminds me of Ballenger on the road trip to Pocatello for the Cat game! (different kind of drink though)

Greta at Jim Gardner's BBQ on last Thursday night.

Memorial Day Weekend

We spent the weekend driving through Yellowstone National Park with the Jarrett family. Mike, Colleen, Emma, Gracie and Matthew left Bozeman Friday night and set up camp in West Yellowstone. Kristi, Greta, Ben, Wrigs and I followed about an hour later. The weather was perfect and we had to run the air conditioner in the motor home when we set up camp. The weather most of the weekend was really great. Yellowstone Lake was still pretty frozen and there was now along side the road.

The Jarrett's turned out to be great camping buddies as they liked to play cards and have a couple cocktails. We stayed up late playing hand and foot and enjoying each other's company. The kids were great and we got to see a lot of cool things and a lot of animals. We saw 6 bears in 2 days (3 grizzly and 2 black). Very cool. I was amazed at how neat the park is and the fact that this was only the 3rd time I had gone through. I have lived in Bozeman for 15 years. SAD. It is amazing the things I have taken time to do since Greta has arrived which has really added to my life. Thanks G.

Picture taken by one of the Jarretts. Nice legs, eh?

The rest of us. Taken at Old Faithful. Somehow the big fountain never gets old!

Gracie, Greta, Matthew and Emma in the Jarrett's camper on Saturday morning in West Yellowstone. Check out the matching PJs!!!

G and Matthew holding hands. Matthew is a year older than Greta. Hmmmm, looks like a cute couple.

The Jarrett crew hanging in "The Bob" stroller. It was sure handy hauling the little ones around the park.

One of the Grizzly Bears we saw on Sunday. The picture was taken through the rain.

Kristi and Colleen cheesing it up for the camera. Taken at the mud volcano.

Mud volcano....oooooh, smells like sulphur.

My girls posing for me.

I was REALLY happy to be there with Mike. REALLY happy!!!

Family photo with the big scary animal behind us. Kristi is completely comfortable....NOT!

Picture to show how close this very large Bison/Buffalo is to the people. We walked by very briskly. YIKES.

Bentley and Wrigley sharing a very small bed on the trip home. They both got their fill and were enjoying a little snooze.

The BIG 4-0 tomorrow

A huge surprise from Kristi's family coming to Grover's for my 40th Birthday! Thank you to all who came and to all of those sending their warm wishes for the big day. We went to Fairmont Hot Springs Resort on Thursday (Big surprise from my wonderful wife and daughter) where we got to see Greta swim for the first time. She loved the warm water and had a blast hanging with Aunt Sandi, Uncle Mike and Mom and Dad. Our little girl gets better and more active every day. Even though it is very difficult to "better". She certainly was worth the wait to be a Dad.

Friday, we traveled to Pam and Jim Grover's where I was surprised by Fred, Angie, Jodi, Jeremy and his girlfriend Taylor. Later in the day, our neighbor and friend Jim Gardner showed up (big surprise also) and we continued to have a great time till early morning. Campfire, Jack Daniels, and family...fun, fun, fun. Jimmy Gardner brought along some fireworks which were EXTREMELY loud. Many great memories and a great way to go into the next 40.

Saturday, we spent the day horseback riding (not me), four wheeling (me) and eating cake and ice cream for the birthday boy (me).

As I was opening presents, I realized that Gary, Theresa and Seth were not going to be coming to the party. Sad, very sad.

Jodi gracefully bringing flowers to the camp table. She was sporting Jim Grover's work vest. Sweet.

Pam loving up her new niece. G sure likes coming to the ranch and spending time with family.

The crew (Jim, Pam, Sandi, Angie, Kristi and me) at the camp fire.Me and the party planner...thank you Kristi, you are the best. It feels good to be 40.

Jimmy Gardner showing his skills on the horses. Thanks, Jim, for making the trip!

G and Uncle Jimmy going for her first ride. She looks pretty comfortable. That kid is hard to rattle!

Big Jim Grover showing off his horsemanship.G and her Mom riding the horse. Greta has now ridden more horses than her Dad. G, Wrigley and me going for a short 4 wheeler ride. She just took it all in. I kept it under 50.

Family photo. G had her Carhart overalls on for the ranch.

G and Bentley Campfire fun with Jodi and Pam.
Mike with the new colt Chuie.
Jeremy and Taylor (Jeremy is Greta's cousin and Jodi's oldest)

Family in the hot pools at Fairmont Hot Springs

Sandi (Kristi's sister and the rest of us)

Sandi and G.Angie and Fred enjoying the evening. Half of them have some drinks in them...guess who.

Jimmy Gardner have a bit too much fun with his fireworks. Yikes.

Kristi's 1st Mother's Day

Today was a beautiful day in the Gallatin Valley. The snow is only showing in the mountains...where we like it. We went to brunch today at Riverside and enjoyed the company of the Zantos and the Schumachers. It was a nice time and we were able to take a few pictures of the families. I also busted out the motorhome yesterday. Kristi and G helped me pull the cover off and it looked pretty good considering the long hard winter. Benny giving G some love. He really likes Greta and loves to give her kisses as much as we will let him, which isn't very much.Greta looking like her cute self. I thought I would throw in a closeup so you can see how she has changed. Super G getting some Super Parenting. There was a baby channel on TV on a trial basis. She really was liking all the fun stuff they were doing.
Greta and her Mom celebrating their first Mother's Day. Wow, what a year it has been.

Family photo at Riverside after brunch.Shumacher clan family photo...boy, that new little one looks an aweful lot like Greta!

Greta trying on her new lid in the back yard. It is sure nice to be able to spend a little bit of time outside for a change.