TravelingMel

For the third year, we entered Anders in the Sweet Pea Children's Run. For the second year, Anders didn't really like it.

Before the kids' run we volunteered at the Bozeman Classic. Anders and I stopped traffic at one corner and H and Finn were at another.

Finn's looking pretty happy...for now.

Anders is happy to be there, too.

Lots and lots of people join in the kids' run fun.

Not so happy anymore.

Finn and I are falling behind. H and Anders are up there somewhere.

Just 27 minutes to go 1 kilometer.

Playing with rocks is much more fun than participating in a race.

After the race we went the the brand new Baja Fresh in Bozeman. Baja Fresh started out in little ol' Newbury Park where I grew up. I think the original one was better.

Finn liked the chips and salsa, though.

Anders dug the quesadillas.

Then we decided to get the boys haircuts. Again, Finn was not happy.

Anders liked the car and didn't mind the haircut.

A few weeks ago we were lucky enough to attend the birthday party of one of the most generous men in Livingston.

Rob volunteers all over the place--and always has a smile on his face. On this day he was celebrating his 60th birthday and the 10 year anniversary of a brain aneurysm.

Hawaiian shirts are Rob's signature, and they were found all over the party, from the guests to the decorations.

Partying in Sacajawea Park.

Enjoying the party.

The cake. Yum.

How embarrassing. Kathy and I showed up in the same dress.

Anders pushes Phoebe on the swing.

Ben, Anders and Phoebe.

Anders gets swallowed in the mouth of a lion.

Lighting the candles on the cake.

Mmmmm cake coma.

Rob appreciates all his friends.

Tim performs some magic.

Little Sofia...

...and mama Madeleine.

The decorations.

Livingston can be an odd little town at times. Like when you are driving home from the grocery store and you notice there is a carnival in the parking lot of the discount store. "Oh," you say. "A carnival. Of course."

It's one of those carnivals with squeaky rides and weird games and interesting people. You know we went.

Taking flight.

Riding horses.

Anders is excited to ride the dragon.

Until it starts moving... Luckily they stopped the ride for him after two rounds.

Driving cars.

Last Sunday we spent a lovely Mother's Day at H's parents' place in Ennis. I will upload those photos eventually.

After the Ennis visit we drove back to Livingston to attend Matine's first birthday party. Brooke and Peter put on quite a party; we had so much fun! The boys got to ride horses (for the second time that day), had their faces painted (it was a puppy-themed party), chase bubbles and go on a treasure hunt. H and I had a ball chatting with friends (new and old), playing with the kids and sipping suds.

Oh, and there was a dirt pile (the second one of the day). I don't think they planned on that being an attraction, but for the 5 and under set, it was a hit.

Here are a few pictures I pulled off their site. There are many more, including the birthday girl, of course.

Anders and Finn share a saddle.

Puppy faces.

This might be my favorite.

I know it is obnoxious that I only posted pics of my kids, but you can see the rest of the party here.

I don't know if I'll ever be totally comfortable at a rodeo. Those poor calves and steers getting wrestled to the ground. They hit the dirt pretty hard.

Still, I like the rodeo. The Western culture: cowboy hats, belt buckles and boots. Now that I am taking a horseback riding class I understand a little better how much skill it takes to stay on a horse.

I took the boys to the MSU rodeo on Friday. We went to the slack event: the first go-‘round for cowboys and cowgirls who compete in timed-events. If their times are good enough, they get into the "real" rodeo. It's during the day and it's free, two things we like.

We met up with my friends Tiffaney, Jeff, Eva and Kyle.

Tiffaney took a couple photos for me.