Haven't been taking as many pictures. Had a fun weekend of going swimming Sunday at the YMCA in Dillon with Granny Leslie. Ben loved being in the water; he was even swimming and splashing in his dreams that night, but was also quite fussy with an upset stomach from swallowing too much pool water. I wanted to give Eva a chance to show off her newly learned swimming skills (the second grade just finished their two weeks of swim lessons). Eva swam two laps: one on her back. "It's really relaxing."

She has a lot coming up. Thursday night she is joining Granny Leslie and Aunt Sally for a girls' night out to see the Nutcracker Ballet in Butte. Friday we are hosting a bag decorating party, and this weekend, the Nederhoeds are joining us at Hunting Camp.

Big news from today: Ben rolled from his back to his belly!! For a while now, he has been able to push himself up into the push-up position on his belly and then flips over to his back, but this morning in yoga he was drawn by instructor Joan's red velvet pants and rolled right over onto his belly. Next, crawling, sitting up, law school.

We are well despite annoying little cold. Getting ready for the holidays with crafts and snacks. Lots of love and peace,

the Millers

Playin' -- Montana Style

Ben had his first playdate this weekend! Saturday, while Justin was out huntin', the kids and I packed into the car and headed up to Virginia City to hang out with Stacy Gatewood while she was babysitting Bo (5) and Peter (11 mos.) Kelley. In true Montana momma fashion, we bundled the babies into the strollers, and hiked with the hoodie-clad kids to the park. By wonderful luck, Erin Leonard was able to bring Harper Claire (2) down to swing and merry-go-round with the brave kids who battled wind and metal equipment scrapes.

It was great to connect with old friends, to get out and spend some time with other moms and wives, even though it was brief. Eva did an awesome job as the oldest of the bunch, just as she is with her brother, she was patient and kind with the younger kids. Ben barely noticed the other baby, who eats beef pilaf and holds his own bottle and can crawl. Peter, who is six months older, noticed Ben, especially when he was getting a baba.

Sunday, we drove up to Notellum Creek and set up the wall tent and mom and dad's sleeping tent for Hunting Camp 2009. I am a little apprehensive this morning, thinking about packing up next weekend and playing the role of supreme hunter, mother, camp cook and on and on, the duties never cease. I pushed the stroller up a trail in my hunter's orange and no gun and felt so strange. It was a totally new experience and I couldn't stop scanning the trees and parks for elk. It was actually a relief to not see one.

Eva's on her way to becoming an expert whittler. I think I was nine when I cut myself whittling, sitting on the back steps of the house on the road. Craig Ballou taped up my pointer finger with a couple of popsicle sticks. I still have the scar on my knuckle. I can't keep her from hurting herself, despite my s'mothering. I do wish she wouldn't drift off to day dream land while she's cutting curly ribbons off a chunk of wood.

We love being out in the woods and playing in the great outdoors. Eva and I had a crawling 'cross a log over the crick experience, and Hunting Camp 2009 will be epic. I love the smell of campsmoke that we brought home with us, that and the memories.

Peace to all!

Happy Halloween!!

A beautiful vampiress, tree frog (prince) and a crazy person!!

What a stormy, scary night here in Twin Bridges. Even after we had run out of candy, shut off all the lights, and closed the curtains, still the teenagers pounded on the door demanding their sugary fix. Eva trick or treated with her friend Beth who lives across the street. Justin, Ben and I manned the homefront. Severed arms were the theme of this year.

Eva and I had fun making spooky food for All Hallow's Eve! Here she is chowing down on a gummy hand. Eva put together some pudding graves. I poured Karo syrup blood all over popcorn, and also made salmon dip in the shape of a hand. I also tried to make a hand ice cube but rushed it and made a bloody mess all over the kitchen.

Justin and I took turns hunting this weekend. He and Robert busted their buns hiking for 3 1/2 hours Saturday and Dad and I road hunted Sunday. We're looking forward to setting up a hunting camp using the wall tent and maybe renting another forest service cabin. The countdown to Thanksgiving has begun. I need to practice my pumpkin tiramisu. I need some more willing guinea pigs.

Ben is very close to sitting up, crawling, going mobile.

We're all doing great!