The Darndest Things

It was hot in Billings today. That meant one thing-break out the sprinkler! Dwight, Cosette and AJ were having a great time running and jumping through the water. So, I decided to “kick it up a notch” and break out the bubble machine. Bubbles and water action; what could be better? As I was basking in the sun with my feet in the water, Dwight and Cosette were singing a little ditty they had just made up. The lyrics made me sit up and take notice. "Let's make love, let's make love, let's make more and more love" was what I heard over and over as they were chasing the bubbles all around. I knew the bubbles were the "love" they were talking about but did the neighbors? Although it was completely innocent, I was pretty surprised. By the end of the song I heard them singing "Let's make more bubble love!" Bubble Love? Muskrat Love? Puppy Love? Hmmm . . .

My Grammie went all the way to Germany and all I got

was this awesome t-shirt! Thanks Grammie!

A chocolate chip tree

Dwight and Cosette spent some time this afternoon planting seeds (I'm not sure what they really were but they were falling off our tree in the backyard). I was watching and listening as they dug holes, planted their seeds carefully and then gave them a good sprinkling of water. They were pondering with each other about what kind of trees would grow. "I hope we get apple trees." Dwight said. "I think they're gonna be chocolate chip trees." Cosette replied. Wouldn't it be nice if there really were chocolate chip trees growing in the backyard? Yummy! All of the sudden, I feel like baking cookies.

Oh, what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day!

It happens rarely around our house(or so it seems). Dwight, Cosette and AJ playing outside together-getting along-enjoying the beautiful weather we're having here today. I was is such awe I had to go outside and take a picture of them just to savor the moment. It may be a loooooong time before it happens again. Ollie, notice the fabulous outfit that AJ is sporting in the picture. Thank You!

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Grace with her long hair.

Grace with her new short hair!

Germany=Gorgeous

That German sunset is gorgeous.


The German flowers are beautiful.


The architecture is amazing.

Grace looking very chic in her new German outfit.


All I want to say is I want to go to Germany just for the ice cream!

Great Pictures Gracie!

Feed the Quacks

As AJ and Grace were taking a walk outside of Fuddruckers tonight, they spotted some ducks. AJ pointed and said, "hi ducks!" Since AJ saw other people feeding the ducks, he decided he wanted to join in the fun too. AJ found me and said, "Fries, more fries. I feed quacks." After taking Grace's fries as food, AJ ran to a duck and said, "quacks!" "Yes, that's what they say, but what are they?" Grace asked. AJ replied, "quacks," then started to throw fries (more at them ) to them. After feeding them the last of Grace's fries, AJ herded them towards the pond and said, "Come on quacks, swim! I wanna swim with quacks!" "Leave the ducks alone, Anthony. Let's say goodbye," Grace said. "Bye bye birdies," AJ waved as they left the pond.
OK, so what are they- ducks, quacks or birdies? Only a two year old would know, I guess.

Where's the beef?

Since they have no beef (according to my source-aka-Grace) in Germany, we took Grace to Fuddruckers tonight to welcome her home. It was Kid's Night (which meant that the balloon lady would soon be approaching our table) at Fuddruckers. As she began to make a balloon butterfly for Cosette, Dwight chimed in, "Did you know that a butterfly has 10,000 eyes?" The balloon lady's response, "Holy Sheepers!" Holy Sheepers indeed! Guess that classical Lutheran School he attended is starting to pay off.

AJ loves trucks

especially "hiccup trucks" as he likes to call them.

Grace is homeward bound

Grace is coming home tonight. She's in flight from Frankfort to Detroit as I type this now. She sent another email to us this past Saturday.
Here is her latest excerpt: "Anyone who asks the Heins about me- im leavin (Germany) on a jetplane. dont wanna go back again. Was ok but i really missed home. i wanna call my friends on an American phone. .........okay, i know im a horrible lyricist, but you gotta admit thats pretty good. ( i dont even know the rythm of the "im leavin on a jetplane" song. hahahahaha
Anyway , "hullo hullo...i dont no why u say goodbye i say hullo" .....goodbye
G-race "

Welcome home Gracie!

Symphony in the Park

This evening was the 36th annual Symphony in the Park. I love the symphony. I love the symphony even more when I can take our kids and relax in the park while listening to beautiful music for free. :) I had been looking forward to this evening all month. So, we settled into our chairs ready and waiting and then, we saw the sky. It was that perfect shade of dark blue that only meant one thing, rain. To be perfectly sure, Gregg called our meteorologist friend, Keith Meier, and he assured us that "oh yes, the rain is headed your way and it won't be pretty". So, we debated. Should we stay or should we go? How much time would we have before the storm arrived? We watched and waited. We waited and watched. Finally, after hearing two songs (in an attempt to chase the dark clouds away, the symphony began a little early) and while it was still dry,we packed up our things and headed out. Gregg and AJ went to get the car while Garrison, Dwight, Cosette and I waited under some big trees (just in case) for them. Not more than 30 seconds later, thunder and lightning lit up the sky and it poured. Garrison, Dwight, Cosette and I watched as the huge crowd of symphony goers ran to their cars every which way. Funniest quote of the evening (Adriane, this ones for you) was said by Garrison. The storm was making him nervous as we were sitting there waiting for Gregg, so he yelled, "What, is he going to just leave us here for dead or something?" He made me laugh so hard I actually forgot I was soaking wet at least for a moment!

Happy 2nd Birthday Anthony Jacob!

The presents were so good I had to climb onto the table to open them.

Garrison,AJ, Cosette and Dwight

OOOOHHHH-cake!

The attempt at making a bee hive cake (bees sold separately :) )

Dwight and his theology

Dwight and I are a lot alike. We are both stubborn. We are both strong-willed. So, we often butt heads (not that I'm proud of it). Now that he is home from school for the summer, there are a lot more battles with discipline. Once again (and he's said this before) when I told him he needed to obey me, he replied, "How can I obey you? It's the sin in me and I can't make it go away. I'm always sinful so I'm always disobedient!" Well then I guess you'll always be sitting in the time-out chair. Hey, here's a thought Dwight, you can read your Bible to pass the time.:)

We miss Grace

She'll be back in the USA on Monday, June 23rd at around 10:40 PM. Did I mention we're not just counting the days until her return but the hours, minutes and seconds? We can't wait to see her and hear all about her traveling adventures.

I scream you scream . . .

It was hot in Billings today so I decided to grab the newest craze (well, new to me anyway) in ice cream bars- M & M's Ice Cream Treats! Boy, what a treat they are! AJ completely endorses them."Go ahead,try them" he says, "and make a huge mess for your mommy while you're at it" . . .wink, wink!

Birthday Tradition

Our family birthday tradition is that the honored birthday girl or boy (or husband) gets to choose their favorite supper menu (for me to make) and eat it on the famous blue plate (it's a Pampered Chef It's your day to celebrate! plate) on the evening of his or her birthday. Well, try getting a menu out of an almost 2 year old. I asked AJ what he wanted for his birthday supper this Saturday and he said , "Ummm, cake!" Then I said "What do you want before your birthday cake?" "Ummm, cake!" Translated that means we're having homemade chicken nuggets and fries for supper and for dessert-well, ummm . . . cake!

Happy Father's Day

Gregg decided that he wanted to spend the day in Red Lodge, MT for Father's Day. So, after church, we wrangled the kids into the car (without Gabe and Grace) and hit the road. We had a nice lunch at Bridge Creek (same restaurant Gregg and I ate at after we got engaged) then headed for the hiking trails. I was a nervous wreck while AJ explored around the cliffs and creek but Gregg took it all in stride. I believe at one point I yelled to AJ "You're not hiking again until your 10, Mister!" It did no good. AJ would simply gallop full speed ahead over to a pine cone or stick and then say " Look Dadder, a rock!" "Look Dadder, a bunny!" Yes, for some reason AJ has now started calling Gregg "dadder" instead of "dad". We think it happened about a week ago but we're not sure. I like it. Thanks for being such a great "dadder" to all 6 kids, Gregg.

My dad rocks (er . . . sheet rocks!)

While my mom and dad were here visiting from MO, Gregg and my dad sheet rocked the entire new kitchen, high ceilings and all! It was nice to have the extra help and for that-thank you dad.

Flat Grace turns 14

Since Grace is away in Germany for her birthday, Flat Grace (Grace's idea which I thought was pretty cute) took the place of our real Grace for the birthday celebration here at home. We ate Monster Mania Pizza (brownie pie with ice cream and M & M's on top). Flat Grace thought it was delicious! We love and miss you Grace.

Happy Golden Birthday Gracie!

14 years ago today, Grace Clara Hein was born.

Gregg and I called Grace this morning in Germany at 9 AM( 1 AM our time) to wish her a Happy Golden Birthday! Tonight they will be dining at a castle-well, la-de-da:) and most likely be eating some amazing ice cream creations. (Ice cream art is a serious business in Germany.) Sounds pretty good to me! We love you Gracie!

Nine years ago today . . .

Gregg and I were married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Billings, MT.

Safe and Sound (and Tired) in Germany

Mom Hein called about an hour ago from Bert and Vera's (the good friends that are hosting them for the next two weeks). The weary travelers had just finished supper and were heading off to bed soon. Grace is enjoying herself-hanging with her cousins and taking LOTS of pictures!

Off to Germany

Today is departure day! Grace is traveling to Germany with Grammie, Aunt Beth, Alex and Amy (her cousins). It's so exciting that Grace gets to experience Germany at such a young age. We miss her already. These next two weeks will fly by while she's gone-at least that's what we're hoping for here in America.:)

Rare sighting . . .

Beth asked Grace to take this picture of Michael and Alex. Alex and Michael happily obliged. (Hey, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!)

Grace's Last Day of 8th Grade-June 08

Grace's First Day of 8th Grade back in August of 07

Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat!

That's what Mr. Thomas (Grace's principal) said at Grace's 8th graduation ceremony. (As you have probably guessed, Trinity Lutheran School's mascot is the Bobcat.) It's a bittersweet time for Grace. The friendships Grace has made over the last 9 years are unforgettable-not seeing everyone everyday will definitely be different.
But . . . West High School is right around the corner and she is excited to start that new chapter in her life.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Murray

Michael (our nephew) and Riley (our new niece-in-law) were married this evening in Mom Hein's backyard. Everything looked beautiful-especially the bride and groom. Ok, Riley looked beautiful. Michael looked handsome.

Cosette made her flower girl debut and was oh so thrilled to do it! Now she wonders if she can throw rose petals for a living. On a side note-Michael and Riley asked Dwight a few weeks ago if he would like to be one of the Ring Bearers. He politely said "No thank you". At least Michael and Riley were ok with the rejection. I was just shocked he didn't want the job.

Blessings on your marriage Michael and Riley! Welcome to the Hein family Riley!

Kid-Friendly

This morning I was trying to get Dwight to eat the crust on his toast. He flat out replied, "I can't eat toast. It's not kid-friendly!" Well OK then, two can play this game, personally I don't think liver and onions is adult-friendly.

Gabriel is a high school graduate

Last night along with 457 other Seniors, Gabriel received his high school diploma. He was very excited to have completed this phase in his life. Future plans . . .only time will tell!