2009

WOW. . . Our boys are growing up!

What a fun winter for the boys . . . Snowmobiling with Brandon and uncle Chris, going to the Hotsprings, Snowboarding, and more!

Carter & Nate getting off of their snowmobiles at the Gold Fork Hotsprings. . .

as the sun sets behind the pines.

The Kids Christmas Programs at School:
Nate played his base guitar with the band, Carter and his best friends play the trumpet, and are the only two boys in the choir, Taylor's class sang songs and danced.

In February, the Missoula Children's Theater came to town with tryouts for "The Little Mermaid". Carter was roped into going to tryouts with his best friend, and ended up getting the male lead character named "Gill". The play was adorable, with all the mermaids sighing when Gill came around. Carter had a duet and a solo, and we all discovered his new vocal talent. He had a blast, and the musical was a huge success!

The Storybook Cottage in McCall - Our Vacation Rental Cabin

The Storybook Cottage waits for you . . .

This is our new little guest cottage/vacation rental cabin! It's Adorable, and our guests seem to really enjoy it. Now there's no reason not to visit us in McCall!

The dining table is the hand painted oversized Chess table that Patti made for the boys for Christmas! We have dozens of games, videos, books, etc to enjoy while you are here. . .

The kitchen is fully stocked, with all of the amenities that will make your stay comfortable! Throughout the cottage you will find several paintings by Grandma Phyllis . . . they really add to the rustic charm.

There is a loft bedroom with a couple of twin beds that the kids (and young at heart) absolutely love! They can overlook the living room and kitchen from thier balcony in the rafters.

There are two other bedrooms with double beds and their own TV. The upstairs bedroom has a nice balcony that looks out to the towering pines, and peaceful surroundings.

The Living room has a huge Wood Stove that really heats things up, a Big-Screen TV, VCR, DVD player, etc. There's plenty of seating for the whole gang! The couches are really roomy, if they need to double as a couple of extra beds. . .

The Pine trees are easily 60 - 80 feet tall, the wildlife abundant, and hardly any neighbors . . .

Winter, Summer, Spring or Fall . . . each season has it's unique beauty, and outdoor activities that abound. Your Storybook Cottage is here for your next getaway to visit us in McCall!

CARTER'S 12th BIRTHDAY PARTY - October 2008

This is Carter's "girl" friend, and I can't say anything else, or I would be breaking parent/child priveledge and might be held in contempt. But she is cute, isn't she . . .

Carter and his friends went ice skating at the Manchester Ice Rink, and then decided to warm up outside at Bear Park across the street. Cupcakes, games and good times were had by all.

It was a perfect October Day at the lakeside park.
No Surprise . . .

Several very cute girls were invited to Carter's party! And the boys were out of control.

As the Seasons Change . . .

The Canadian Geese arrived this Sunday morning, for only a short visit on their journey south. The baby geese we saw nurtured on the lake this spring are as big as mom and dad now, and just as graceful. They aren't the only ones who have undergone a beautiful transformation during this last six months . . . Here are a few before and after photos of our home, as it has been given a new life, every room having received a beautiful transformation. First are photos from last winter, after we first moved in, and now, with all new windows, new exterior, and new decks going up just before the first snows.

Our Living Room went from 80's cabin to 21st Century, Modern-Contemporary. I remember the contractor, plumber and others making under-their-breath comments about our design ideas, and the bold paint colors we were throwing on the walls. I don't think McCall has seen a home like this, before. Now that the details are coming together, everyone can see the vision we saw when we first found the house.

The master bath did have a jetted tub, and separate his/hers shower. But everything was so dated and fiberglass!

Now, our travertine and glass bathroom boasts separate his/hers vanities with a two-way fireplace that warms both the bath and the master suite.

Speaking of the master suite; the blue and white paisley wallpaper with matching curtains had to go, along with the old furniture that came with the home. We love our new master bedroom, with bamboo floors, fireplace, custom walk-in closet, and most of all . . .the breathtaking views of the lake.

The Kitchen has been a long time in coming . . . you have seen previous posts of our make-shift camp kitchen that allowed us to survive most of the summer. Now we have lighted glass cabinets, wood and stainless steel, and a very modern look. More photos to come, because the best part is that we took out the whole wall facing the lake and put in 16 foot sliding glass doors that open up to the deck. We now can literally push our kitchen table out to the lake on a summer day!

This is the view from our decks, of one of the homes on the other side of the lake. The days are definitely getting shorter and cooler. The first couple of days of snowfall have come and melted. It won't be long till we can pull out the snowboards and skis! For now, the Rio Vista Lake is very peaceful and quiet. A different flock of birds drop by each day or so, on their way to warmer climates.

Today may be the last day I can do yoga on the dock with the dragonflies and the ducks. I spotted a spider building an intricate web on the cattails next to the dock as I finished my meditation. I love it here . . .

Life's a Beach!

September in McCall was amazing this year! The warm fall days lasted long enough for us to spend time with visiting friends . . . Especially since we just bought our first ski boat!
Brandon and Tim, snacking on the beach...

Nicole, Nanette and Roe!

So what! It's only 70 degrees, and the lake has seen a couple of nights at freezing! We don't care . . . this is our backyard, and we are going to enjoy it. Plus, our friends, the Erb Family, came from Salt Lake to visit.

Here is our beautiful tour guide, and our official boat flagger: Roe and Alex Erb! Many of these photos are courtesty of Roe and her love of staying out of the water, on excuse that she was holding the camera!

Nate & Carter:

"So, you think you're cool? Can you look this good and ride the wake at the same time??? "


"Hmmph," thinks Nate, "I am almost 6 feet tall, and haven't even turned 14 yet. What do you have to say for yourself? Oh, and I forgot to mention; I am growing my hair out for the messy, touseled look, because I am starting to see some nice curl - (and the girls are too!)"

Nate is growing terribly fast, to the dismay of mom and dad who keep thinking they are still 25 years old. But proud they can be of his wonderful strength of character, body and mind!

"Hey there! It's me, Carter. . . just wanted you to know, that whatever you see Nate or Taylor doing on the kneeboard, the wakeboard . . . or even the snowboard! I TAUGHT THEM EVERYTHING THEY KNOW."

Carter loves to be top of his game . . . and he usually earns it. He is a natural at everything he does. But today, he had an opponent:

Taylor Takes The Challenge: After a difficult start by Nate, and a tenuous demonstration by Carter, Taylor steals the scene with his multiple fails, and then a redoubled - and obviously determined - rise to the top! Taylor's successful first ride on the knee board proved a huge, and uproaring success, as we all cheered his ability to outshow both of his older brothers! Rising to the top, strapping in, and crossing the wake - all on his first attempt - was impressive.

Back on the boat Taylor admits that he almost gave up, then remembered our family motto, "Think -- Feel -- Act -- Have!" . . . and then he DID! (And was quite proud of himself, to boot!)

Of course, Carter had to get back in and reclaim his title as master of the wake, but no thought was lost to the valiant nature of Taylor's belief.

Meanwhile, dad got to drive everyone around all day, and enjoy the stops, starts, stops, starts, scenery . . . and more stops, starts.

Back on the beach, Nate allows himself a moment to rest . . .

Nathan is getting buried alive by his brother Carter, and friend Alex.

. . . Hope he doesn't get sand in his braces.