More Montana....we can't get enough....

After the Rude family reunion...we moved over to the other side of the lake and spent time at our Fleharty/Sharkey family cabins. The weather was fabulous...cool in the morning and evening...and hot during the day. Here we are...relaxing by the lake: Henri, Kara, Kallie, Gail, Kristin, Carol.



Definitely the highlight of the week, was Henri and the boat. It started out as "Grandpa's boat" but by day three...it was "my boat." He still talks about the boat. Look at his smile!



Henri (and often Lili) spent most of their time on the boat. Here they are...breakfast with grandpa and the boat.



The driving challenge....



Lili would fall asleep as soon as the boat started to move. The waves...rocked her right to sleep for a quick little cat-nap.



Emma...reading....



Playing with cousin, Dillon, and the motion-activated sprinkler. A riot to watch!



More boat....



"Fishing" with a super-soaker as his pole. :)



What beautiful country.....



This was a frequent site...usually with a little arm in the air...waving "bye..."



Ah...going fast in the boat....



So fun!



A trip to cousin Karla's elk and bison farm....



Trying to feed the elk some baby apples....



A serious Henri...



Yum....yikes....



So beautiful....buffalo in the background....


More elk....



Dad and his sisters...Auntie Dimpy, Auntie Lois, Auntie Lou and Dad.



Me and Henri.....



Dreaming of owning a condo on the lake. Cousin Carol (aka Cookie), Auntie Lou and mom...helping me dream!



The Idle Spur. Who would have thought....the Fleaburger girls with mom. Karaoke singers always need an alias. :)



Oh yeah.....



The beauty of MT...everything goes at the Idle Spur....



Partying with the Aunties....



Our last morning away....just in time for Henri to learn this....



Wow....



Back to Missoula...Lili modeling one of Auntie Lou's sweet dresses.



Henri and Lili....



Swing swing, swing swing swing....



Our favorite Fireman....Henri with the infamous hat...thanks Herr Graf!



Back to Orlando. Riding the "choo-choo" train back to the main terminal.



We thought strollers would be a good idea. Well...kind-of.



Back at home...happy to be back....



Two Ethiopians in a box....



Henri's imagination is running wild. Feeding his snake his discarded puffs...note the shoelace (aka pocket snake) on the ground next to his left hand....



Sweet Lili....



I"ll post more...I know there are some great shots...and great shots of other cousins that I haven't yet posted. But...at least a teaser for our time away. We already miss you all....love Montana!


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Montana!

We just came home from spending a week in Montana. We had such a great break. Filled with lots of time with family...and great times on Flathead Lake. I'll post more pictures...but here are few that were on my phone...to get the vacation started. :)

We all met up in Missoula on Saturday...and spent the afternoon/evening at the Sons of Norway lodge. It was a Rude reunion--ya know. Then...on Sunday...we all headed to the lake where we continued to enjoy time together.

Here is Lili and Auntie Toots at the campground...fishfaces:



The Fleharty kids with their kids....Kallie, Henri, Emma, Kara, Kristin, Lili, Nick.



The last of the Rude clan. Here are the original cousins...just a few were missing:
Scott, Linda, Pat, Mom, Brenda, Matthew.



The cousin's kids....



The cousin's kid's kids....



Jeff and the Cranston clan (plus a few additions) in the hot tub. The pool was cold!


Nick and Henri in downtown Bigfork...



Nick finally has someone to mother. :) So sweet...



Lili and Jeff in Bigfork...she is such a Daddy's girl these days...



Henri directing where we should go "shopping".....



At the edge of the lake...so beautiful!



Our family on the condo patio. The perfect place for Henri and Lili to play....



Giggling.....



Ah....Big Sky country!



More pics coming right up......



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Imagining and our favorite toy...Rusteze

Henri's speech is getting better and better. He is really trying to communicate--it is so much fun! He also loves to read--and lately--he likes to read you the book. :) here he is reading "Peter Rabbit."




He is also in love with trains, boats, buses, and trucks. His imagination can be fantastic--he loves to pretend. Lately--anything that he can line up in a row--is transformed into a choo-choo train. Here he is with his breakfast/bus train.




And Miss Lili is developing quite a personality as well. She is so funny--she has a great sense of humor. Here she is--helping me pack for MONTANA--by wearing my sweater and carrying my purse. Her selections. So funny.




The favorite toy has been, and continues to be Henri's car. Here they are--figuring all the ways they could play with his truck.




Still together and laughing....



Henri pushing Lil. Watch out....




Whoa--almost took off the right leg....




Lili riding solo....




Break in play to sing a few songs....stamping our feet to the music....




Henri loves to sing.....




Getting ready.....




To shout "hooray!"




Back to the car....back to back driving.




Lili pushing Henri.....




The final frame would have been Henri on his own--but he decided to stand on the seat and try to reach on the counter and grab scissors. Needless to say...that shot wasn't taken--and Rusteze was back in time-out. With Henri.

Until later.......


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Counting.....

Henri is big into counting. He's got 1-2 down pat. And 7-10 are really great, too. Now we are trying to get 3-6 and we'll be good to go.

Here are Henri and Lili this morning at breakfast. Enjoy!

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Faves from the past few weeks.

These are a random collection of some of my favorite photos over the past few weeks. Since this blog is really Henri and Lili's baby book...I didn't want to miss posting.

The kids love going "shopping." Mostly because they can ride in this fancy car. Lately, if Henri hears me talking...and I say, "shocking" he chimes up, "shopping? Shopping?" it's very funny.



Who knows what Henri will grow up to love...but for a two year old...he has a pretty amazing athletic ability. He can run and dribble a soccer ball, and check out this action shot....yikes.




This car has been the source of great joy...and great sorrow. Thought this was a fitting compromise.




They love Costco....




They are getting so big! Eating off big boy and girl plates.




Helping dad buy new shorts. I am a bit afraid of what they might be planning....




Waiting for the rain to stop....




Yellow carrots. Don't know where I could buy them outside of IKEA....but Henri loves them. He will eat an entire plate by himself....




Lili going to church. She had to bring her purse....




Henri at gymnastics at school. Not sure what all they do--but he loves it. His favorite teacher, Ms. Maxine, took these pics.








Lili was being the class clown--wearing a chef hat and cooking in the kitchen.




Loving bath time....









Pretty Lili on a wagon ride...




Relaxing with their feet up....




Smiling Henri...




And my favorite of the favorites....we call this "lap swim."




Happy 4th of July! God Bless the USA...Let freedom ring....


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There goes a boat....

One last photo to post. Henri's face is classic! He saw a boat!



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