New blog!

I have filled up this blog, so the only thing to do is to start a new one!
We can now be found  at www.montanaarkoudi.blogspot.com

I have started to try to catch up will all the summer fun we had!

Quivers full!

A couple of weeks ago when I was in Utah and Ryan was home with Sam and Noah, they went to church without all our masses. Ryan was sitting next to Noah and Sam was home sick. It was just the two of them. The speaker was talking about how children are an inheritance from the Lord and "...happy is the man that has a quiver full of them..." Trying to be funny Ryan leaned over and whispered in Noah's ear..."or two quivers full..." Noah...being funnier said "dad, a quiver is 12, your not even close!" Love these men of mine!

Montana State Fair

Rodeo Time!

The girls drew out for Mutton Bustin this year at the fair!

I am pretty sure I was way more excited for them than they were. They practiced on the goats all week, and Fair time came!

 Waiting to mutton bust!

 Emma was so tired! She mentioned a few times that she didn't want to ride the sheep because she was so tired. I just told her we would see how she felt when it was time!

 When it was go time, she wanted to go...kinda...I was actually pretty sure she wouldn't do it, especially when the first 4 boys got on and fell off right out of the gate. She did it though!

 Even though a few tears were shed, she did it! she scored and 81! she held on and slide to a stop in the dirt!
Cranes had come to watch and Trevor had told her that if she would hold on and ride he would get her a popsicle! As soon as I saw her after the ride she said "did Trevor see me? Because I couldn't see him!" I think she was worried about making sure she got that treat!
When I asked her if she would do it again, she said "No way! Never again when I am 4...but I will do it when I am 5! We will see what next year brings!

 They were mighty happy with their trophies!

 Mara loved it! She rode the longest of all of them, and took second!Way to go for a first timer!

 Check out those new boots!

By the end of the rodeo, Emma was done for! She fell asleep on Trevor's shoulders! Sound asleep!

It's so HOT!

When we moved to Montana, we worried about buying a house without A/C.

Someone told us..."don't worry, you only need A/C like three days out of the year."

Wrong. That first summer we died in the heat as all of July was over 100 degrees.

This year has been hot too. our kitchen thermometer has read above 85 all week. So hot, too hot to cook, too hot to eat. How do we stay cool?

 we get naked and play in the pool...okay, maybe we all don't get naked, but maybe we all wish we could have no inhibitions and refresh in that cool pool!

Ryan is sure we have ammo for when she is 17!

Nauvoo

Nauvoo Pagent

 3,211 miles
58 hours in the car
11 kids 3 adults
Most amazing adventure!

Country Fair

 Our dear friends the Rowe's were in the Nauvoo pagent and we were so lucky to be able to go and see them in it this year! The kids loved it! They loved the country fair before the pagent!

Nauvoo Life!

 They loved the shops and houses around Nauvoo.

Mississippi River at the end of the Trail of Hope.

My favorite part was the Trail of Hope vinette. I don't think my eyes dried once the whole way down the trail to the Mississippi.

Carthage Jail

Carthage Jail...Incredible! Such an amazing experience for the kids. My testimony of Joseph Smith as a prophet of God in our day was strengthened immensely.


Mt Rushmore

Stopped at Mt Rushmore on the way home! So cool!

Cascade County Fair 2010

Blue Ribbons All Around!

 Get those pigs ready!

We unloaded Friday night and were there until 10 pm shaving pigs! they looked really good when they were done though!

 Sam got called for Showmanship call backs, and Caleb should have, he did such a good job...that cute little girl stole it from him though!

Four boys with pigs is a little intense. Poor Ryan didn't stop shuttling pigs in the hog-joggers all day! It was exhausting! no wonder little girl fell asleep just like this...

Loading Pigs!

This year, the pigs weren't so cooperative as they were last year. Had a few troubles convincing them that they needed to get in the trailer..a few times we were so close and had to start all over..a few times the kids said "wow Dad! I can't believe you didn't swear just now!" Grateful for older, stronger boys and Ryan's dad for finally just lifting that 275 Lb pig into that trailer!

County fair be prepared to be invaded by the Arkoudas Boys...there are only 4 this year!

4th of July

I love the 4th! Just as much as Christmas!

This year we took it easy and didn't overdo it and it was really fun and relaxing.

 So when I mean we didn't overdo it, I mean we only worked two hours in the garden, made a mad dash to get to the parade that started at 11. Would have made it on time, but.....

we got stopped by this train. 4 cars left and it stopped in the middle of our path, so we had to walk down and around it.

 Tiny Highness didn't mind though, she had a sweet ride!

 I missed my favorite part of the parade. The part where the Veterans drive by. I always get so chocked up when I think of all those who have fought to preserve our freedom.

 We got tons and I mean tons of candy, popsicles and pop.

 We ended the day with a BBQ and our own fireworks show that was not nearly as spectacular as the Thurber's, but fun all the same.

May we all remember that we live in a land of the free because this is a chosen land, preserved by God! May it always be so!

Holter Lake

We love Holter Lake. Usually we just go and play on the beach, but this time the Diede's came with us and brought their boat.

Showing off his "muscles"!

Brotherly Love!

Emma Loved it, and loved to be the flag girl

It was Annalee's first time on a boat, she loved it!

Miles, Our captain!

Me, Emma and Marlene on the Rocker!

Showing off!
Look mom, no hands!

Me knee boarding! I actually got up!
See, I'm not too old yet!

Caleb tried knee boarding as well!

Loosey Goosey! Lost a Toothy!

At the fairy festival we saw the tooth fairy.

Mara told her she had a loose tooth

(I should insert here that it has been loose since school got out)

The tooth fairy gave her a quarter and told her she was really busy this weekend, and didn't want to miss her.

Sunday Mara tied a string to that tooth, then tied that string to the bathroom door, stood fast and kicked that door shut. Out popped that tiny tooth.

 Good thing the fairy came! she was pink! and Mara is left with a dollar!

She got paid twice! For one tooth! Such a lucky girl!