My new life...

I have found that I don't have as much time as I used to...that would be due to my new commute to Manhattan Elementary School. It is 12.5 miles, one way, from my house...yes, on one of my drives I clocked the mileage! So that means it is 24 miles each time I drive to Manhattan, which would be 2 times a day! Oh, and I have 2 little kids that still take naps! Let's not forget that...they certainly don't let me! So I thought I would share my drive...this is on the way TO Manhattan...

And this is the way FROM Manhattan...

By the way, I absolutely LOVE this school! It is so different from where I grew up. It is a seriously rural school...everyone seems to be a farmer! At least that is all I see on the way to and from school. It is a K-12 school, they don't even deliver mail in town...everyone just goes to the post office! It is hard to get involved in yet another community (we live close to Belgrade, go to church in Bozeman, and now the kids go to school in Manhattan) and meet a whole new group of people, but in the long run it will be alot of fun to get to know everyone (and I literally mean everyone!)

Well, if you might have guessed, I need to go pick up Case...and once more today, drive to Manhattan!

Have a wonderful day!

Ciao a tutti!

The 80's called...

...they want their hairband back! All kidding aside...I am so proud of myself for finding a new way to do Gwen's hair! Her hair has been growing by leaps and bounds but it is just a smidge too short and a bit too fine to do much with yet. Can you believe how big she is? She just turned 2! How did that happen?

I hope you all have a wonderful day.

Ciao a tutti!

Firewood...

Every fall, we Kruse's (the Tobin Kruse's and the Phil Kruse's) go out into the woods and cut down a bunch of trees and haul them away to our houses. Sounds pretty straight forward...one Saturday, two families, and 8 cords of wood...ALOT of work!!!

Here's the before pic of the crew...

You have to teach them early to work hard...

Teamwork is a must...

Lots of smiles and rest for the weary (and those with bad backs...I just take pictures!)...

A little danger makes it more fun...

And there you have it...8 cords of wood...and the 2 guys that did most of the work...

So we are set for this winter...yes, we actually burn 8 cords of wood each winter...we have a big house that is mostly heated by the fireplace. Now, we just have to cut it up, split it, and stack it...no worries!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Ciao a tutti!