Yikes. Has the summer really come and passed? Not only that but FALL? I promised I would keep updating everyone as I know my family requests these and it has just gotten away from me. Things this summer were so busy, so fun and it really seemed like we were chasing our tails for most of it. We snuck a couple of trips in to the lake so Michael could catch no fish. (Haha sorry babe!) but we had fun trying and our first summer as boat owners was fun! I still think they are a pain in the rear and loathe the unpacking process of camping but I do and am glad we do. My family loved the lake, I spent a lot of time getting lathered up with sunblock and catching craw dads. There is something nostalgic about it for me.. My mom shines through me at dinner time. No rubber hot dogs for us! I generally go all out and we eat like campfire kings! :)
It wasn't all fun and water this summer though. I survived my first wedding season as a photographer! 4 to be exact! That was both fun and overwelming. What a neat job though. To be able to photograph people's most cherished memories.. It is really something I am proud of. Now I have really lost my mind because I have 7, yes SEVEN weddings booked next summer. A few in Bozeman, as well as Glendive & Billings. When I am not working them, we will be attending some of our friend's weddings and I am so excited to do that because it will be a little break.. It doesn't mean I'll be leaving my camera at home though. Can't help myself!
I have been so lucky to find this niche of mine. It has been rewarding, a creative outlet and has also brought some income in which is always nice. Gas for that boat isn't cheap! ;) I am loving what I do and am so excited to keep building it. This summer I was also able to be a part of the Fishin' For The Cure board which we do annually to help raise money for children with cancer as well as the 2nd Annual Color Run board. We decided to give proceeds from that to a local cancer fund. Recently, I joined the Chamber Board which is made up of nine individuals, including me. It has already brought some fun into our lives! Michael and I served up paddlefish caviar for one of the events, decorated the chambers float for the annual light parade and lastly, Michael finally grew up to be something very special, Santa Claus. The things my husband does for me! It is safe to say that when I joined the Chamber, so did he! 
Speaking of Michael, he is doing well, still liking his job as an electrician at the railroad. He is actually coming up on his 3rd year already which is so hard to believe. What a transition it was from Billings to Glendive, for both of us! Yes it is Michael's hometown but we were pretty settled in Billings and very much enjoyed our dining options. Ha!
Now on to the star of the show. Miss P. She is just growing up so quick. Mike and I were in a pretty competitive game of basketball this evening (where we both sit on the couch, make P fetch the balls & bring them to us so we can have a shoot out with toddler hoop that she insists stays in the living room). It was then that we noticed just how big she's getting. She decided dad generally makes more baskets (yes I'm admitting it, settle down Mike!) and would bypass me and give the ball straight to him. All while yelling "go dad-o!" Yes, if you have not been around her in the past 6ish months, you don't know that Mike's name has unintentionally become "dad-o". She has quite the vocabulary these days though. Her favorites being "puppy, baby, and NOOO" we cringe every time a stranger comes up and so sweetly says "hi, well aren't you so pretty?" And she looks at them with a scrunched up grin and shreiks "NOOoo" usually followed by "hiiiiii"... It is a little odd but seems to work for her as most people smile and tell me "oh gosh, it's ok, she's so cute!" as they see the disapproval on my face. We are hoping for less "no" and more sweet but we'll see as we are realizing she is pretty stubborn.
She is lucky to have had a playmate for the past 3 months! Our little buddy Maddex comes over 3 days a week to cure some of her only child syndrome while his mama goes to nursing school. This arrangement really couldn't have worked out better. Being Rachel's friend ,
I was so excited when she asked me to do this. I wasn't looking to get into the babysitting business by anymeans but this is such a small amount of time that it has kept it fun and has been really great for P. She just treats him like a little brother. Protective, loves to give him kisses and then he tries to take a swig of her juice and she looks at him and says "Nooooo". We sure love him! 
Speaking of babies "NOOOOO"
Just no. I mean if you ask Mike, yes. But I am at a firm no. We are so busy and with my schedule next summer, it just isn't happening. I can see my familie's heads shaking in disapproval! Ha! Maybe next year!
Back to P.. She was a kitty for Halloween! 
Our Thanksgiving was spent in Glendive and due to roads/work schedules my brother and dad were not able to make it as planned. We missed them but we ate our feelings. And P played with her cousins, who she just adores. Especially Gi, it's a girl thing! ;)
We were able to spend a little time with my grandma before Thanksgiving and that was so, so great. She has been battling hard after a bad fall among other health problems. We are hoping she regains some strength by Christmas time when we get to see her next. P is really a light in her life, it means everything to me. We love you gram - keep being strong! 
Well there is so much more I could go on about but I can not let my insomnia get the best of me. I have an early morning as my girlfriend and I are taking a girls trip to Billings tomorrow for some Christmas shopping, good food and a much deserved cocktail. I will leave by saying I can't be more thankful for my family. We are so lucky to have each other and each year gets better. This time of year always seems to make you realize how much family means to you and our girl is extremely lucky to have one of the best around! She's pretty happy about it! 
