Arizona Summers

Summer in the morning/early afternoon

Summer in the late afternoon/early evening (same day)

I have come to love (after my first summer here) the Monsoon rains.

July 24th

In some places in the United States the 24th of July is a Holiday (in our family its my moms birthday). I know not everyone knows this but it is true. So much so that in some towns everyone gets the day off work. That's how much of a holiday it is. Although this is only is some parts of Idaho, Utah and Arizona its a holiday none the less. And here in Snowflake, AZ it is one of the BIGGEST of the year. It is a pioneer celebration...to celebrate the pioneers settling these here lands:) Anyway, it is fun. And I am glad that we were back in time to be part of it.

Rodeo. Who doesn't love a rodeo. Cowboys, country music, horses and dirt. They are one of my favorite things to go and watch. The kids really enjoyed it too especially the fireworks at the end.

Some friends and I took the kids to the park that had probably 4 or 5 jumpy castles set up. Jessica was an animal. I didn't think she would do it but she climbed to the top of the huge slide one and went down all by herself. She love the obstacle one and this one here (in the pic) had this little rock wall thing with a rope. She must have climbed up it and slid down 15 times. Look at her here hardly being able to stand the wait.
This was both the kids first time getting their faces painted. They were VERY sad when it washed off in the bath that night.

Happy 24th of July!

Montana Part 3

Our last week in MT was a little Scussel family reunion with Chads parents, both his sisters and their families. I always love it when everyone can be together. And luckily for me I LOVE my in-laws....ALL of them! I just didn't take as many pictures as I wished I had.

Round 2 of pony rides. This couple is amazing. They use their ponies as therapy for kids with handicaps and through a friend of a friend they let all of us go up to their house so all the kids could ride.

Jessa enjoying some ice cream with Nana
One of our family reunion days was spent up at Lake Seeley. We rented 2 jet skis, and although it wasn't super warm (I went out one time with my sweatshirt under my life jacket), we still had a great time.
Sorry about the backside shot. This is Addie(5), Collin(17), and Jessa(3). Collin and Beau were so amazing with all the younger kids. The whole day they were so willing to take turns taking each one of them out on the jet skis and behind on the tube.
Maisie(9), Noah(10), Seth(9) and Justin (5). Justin love love LOVED being with all of his older cousins.
Chad and Jessa
This is a picture of the last ride that does not even begin to tell the whole story. Chads sister Tammy took 5 kids out (bad idea). 3 in front with her and 2 on the tube. During the middle of their fun ride the jet ski quit working so the 2nd jet ski with Matt and Beau on it went over to see what was going on. This is where it goes from good to bad. The tube rope from Jet ski 1 gets sucked up into Jet ski 2. Now BOTH jet skis are stuck. And then bad to worse. It starts to rain. Chads parents hop in the canoe and go out to "rescue" the kids. More rain. The kids make it back safely to shore. The canoe goes back out to help tow in one of the jet skis while the other one slowly gets pushed back by 2 of the guy swimming behind it. Thunder and a complete down pour =TOTAL CHAOS! Long story short. Kids were screaming, a few adults were trying to get gear hauled out and the others were loading up the jet skis. The only way we possible could have gotten any wetter was if we had jumped into the lake with all of our clothes on. IT WAS AWESOME! The only reason we didn't get a picture was because none of us were willing to get our cameras out. There was nothing to do except look at each other and laugh!
Grinding meat with Papa



Everyday of our whole trip was GREAT! We loved every minuet of it. We left Chads parents house at 9:00 am and after a little visit to my sisters house in Utah (playing, dinner, baths, pjs) and a few stops along the way we pulled into our drive way at 7:00am the next morning. Chad always amazes me with his driving. He drove until 5:00am and then finally switched and had me drive the last 2 hrs. We LOVE Montana! It will always be home to us....until next year.

KiNdErGaRtEn!!!

Justin was so ready and excited for his FIRST day of kindergarten. He was up at 6:45 and we didn't even have to be there until 1:30. For the first day they have to have a parent with them. We sat and listen to all the announcements and other information for the parents then he went with his teacher, Mrs. Romney, only for about 30 min. while I filled out paper work. So really it wasn't that much of a first day. This was Thursday Aug. 11th. I still can't believe how EARLY they start here.

Day #2 He was still very excited about going so waiting until 11:30 was still a little tough but better then the day before. I wanted to walk him to his class to make sure he knew where he was going and planned on only being about 5 min early...then my car wouldn't start! This is when you are so grateful for neighbors! I walked across the street left my other two and took off in her truck..this is also when you are grateful you only live half a mile from the school. The kids go out to the playground first and wait for the bell and their teacher. But since it is the other big kids lunch time it is a little overwhelming. I stayed with Justin until his teacher came. He turned and gave me a big hug then walked up and hugged her. I got a little choked up but knew that he would do GREAT!

I will not be taking a picture everyday but I wanted to remember that he picked this shirt out because he said it looked like a scouting shirt:)
So today (day #3) I STILL got a little choked up when I dropped him off.

I know that he is so ready to learn and be big and I am so happy for the loving helping caring little boy that he is but I am also so glad that it is only 1/2 day. Ever since being around his cousins up in MT he CAN'T wait to learn to read. That's what he says he is MOST excited for.

Montana Part 2

For weeks 2 & 3 we made the 3 hr drive from Chads parents house to my parents house in Libby.

It seriously always takes my breath away at how beautiful Libby is. (I have NO idea why this is underlined!)

(notice the snow still in the mountains in July)

My first week all 5 of us siblings were able to be there and spend some time together.

My brother Josh...who will eventually have a post of his own for the "uncle of the year award."

My sister Riki
and my other 2 sisters Ryanne and Amber
Our first few days in Libby were spent camping up by the Dam. It rained a few times but was still beautiful and warm. And I am SOO THANKFUL to my Uncle and Aunt who let us use their great camp trailer. It made things super easy...except for the 1st night when at 1 am I was hauling 2 of my 3 kids back to the house and my mom wrecked my sisters car in the process. But that is a different story. On with the pictures.

I have nothing else to say about my baby then that he was GREAT each and everyday! Thank you!
Caleb crashed on his first camping trip


"Hey Grandad, lets go explore."


We made it up to Ross Creek Cedars one day. Here is all of the cousins. My 3 and little Spencer.
The kids LOVE that they are able to go in side the trees...Even I STILL think it is really neat.

LOTS of 4-wheeler rides

This is the 4th of July parade in Troy. Yes, I said Troy. Troy is the tiny little town next to us that we always made fun of...and I guess now its kind of cool.
My brother-n-law Casey sat out on the street with the kids and told them to do three things. 1. Make eye contact 2. Smile 3. yell happy 4th of July
I guess it worked because my kids made out like bandits!
Last pic of me and the kids before finally calling it a night. (out of order, I know)
My sis Ryanne with her little family Casey and Spencer.
Yep my kids are in their pajamas and its broad day light out. That is because it doesn't even get dark until AFTER 10:30pm. That is why we decided to do fire works at our place instead of hauling them back to Troy at 11:00 at night when the towns fire works started. And fire works are not illegal in MT like they are in some states...so this is what we bought and it was fun!
I went in to check on Caleb and when I came out my sweet 5 yr old boy was lighting fireworks with a BLOW TORCH!!! Thanks Levi for thinking he was old enough.


Horse rides
I LOVE Justins hand on his sisters back in this picture. She was a little timid at first because she is right eye level with them. And he kept telling he "its ok, they are nice"



(see this white bandana. Justin got it at the parade and I swear I didn't see his hair for 3 days)

Chad flew in about day #20 and we were all ready to see him. The kids and I had missed him A LOT. I drove back to Missoula to pick him up. We met his parents for lunch, did a little shopping around town, then were able to stay the night at some hot springs on our drive back to Libby. Thank you Mom and Riki for keeping all 3 kids over night!
One afternoon Casey, Spencer, Chad and the kids and I took a little hike up Cedar Creek.
Justin caught on camera pooping outside for the first time. He is definitely going to have to learn to do this with out his momma!
quick family pic
(Baby Caleb was very content to stay at home and have special one on one time with Grandma)

Casey and Spencer
Lots and Lots of fishing with Grandad. I think Justin caught a total of 10 fish and Jessa some where around 5. They loved it and I know Grandad did too.





I had my 10 yr class reunion and Im not going to lie...it was pretty lame. Not very many people showed up. It was nice to see those who did but most importantly to spend time with my favorite girls. Lame or not we had a good time.

Saying good bye was hard but we enjoyed EVERY minute we had up there.

One last picture of the kids with my mom.