Rocks

Lucy loves rocks. On our hike she wanted lots of pictures, since you can't take them out.

Helmet

Bernadette enjoyed an atv ride and Isi's helmet with her devoted servant James.

Max

He wanted his picture taken with his lunch cup at the park.

Mining

We went panning for rocks again. The kids had a blast. Lucy especially loves geology.

Junkel restaurant

The kids did a restaurant dinner for my birthday this week. I didn't get a picture of the lovely servers, but they decorated very nicely. Lucy told me when trying to decide, she would "go Catholic" so it was just my style.

Water

Bernadette can say water now, and she likes the other kids' cups, so we got her a Bee bottle. She also loves the steps. She won't walk most of the time but she loves to climb.

Sisters

Bernadette loves to be a big kid

May crowning

We did a May crowning at church, but Mary at home needed one too. We also planted a lovely shrub by her this year. Hopefully it lives and blooms.

Kindergarten!

This is our fourth year starting school (at half speed, with lots of breaks) during the summer. And now Max is in kindergarten! He is very excited.

Butte

We took a little trip to Butte for the weekend. We got an airbnb the kids were really excited about - a converted church basement. It was great for us. 

On the first night, we went to Pizza Ranch. This was a highlight of the trip for several children. 

We walked to the farmer's market Saturday morning, and it was beautiful out, but by the time we went to the park before lunch is was cloudy. 

This is still a really cool park. I didn't take any zipline photos, but the kids enjoyed it. 

James raced Justin and won.

Bernadette is tired and cold and hungry and not interested in a photo op.

James is a pack mule.

Kids under 5 weren't allowed on the mining tour, so I took the older kids. It was fascinating.

Max and Charlie opted out of the in-the-cave portion. Here, James (that's his headlamp) attempts to push an empty cart. Boys his age would be hired to push these carts when full of 4,000 lb of rock.

It's an antique roller coaster car and 6 kids who love family photos.

We went to Pekin for supper, which is the oldest continually-run Chinese restaurant in the US. It used to be an opium den! It was good, and you sit in booths so we needed two. 

This is my impression of Tessa's picture face, and hers.

Not everyone felt great Sunday morning, so we skipped the hike, but we did drive to Helena and go to Mass at the Cathedral, which is what I planned this trip around. 
 

Shoes

I let Bernadette wear shoes to the farmer's market, and she was confused and then delighted. She got to hold my hand and walk around.

Lucy and Milky

Milky can be very demanding. He will jump on everyone's bed in the morning until someone pets him. He wanted to get a little attention during the Rosary.

Nora on a hike

We went on a new trail, and I hope it was a first of the season fluke because it took an hour to go 1.5 miles. But Nora had fun!

Ice cream

Max got to go to scouts, and there was ice cream. Bernadette got to taste that "juice" and she was a big fan.

Dancing

Isi loves to dance

Carhops

Snacks, delivered

Escape

When I help the kids with something in my bathroom, I sometimes put Bernadette in the tub as a playpen. But she's too clever now!