catching up

Haven't posted photos in a long time; here's some catch-up. We have been super busy. First pictures of Rosco (or for Montana, Racicot), homecoming, fishing, hunting, oh my. Eva is so happy to be in school, she loves it because "School is really fun. School is fun, fun." Ben's dreadlocks are out of control, but I am waiting for Halloween to cut his hair. Lots of love to our friends and family!

more Ben videos

How great is technology! We can take video of Ben on our camera, post it on our blog and Eva all the way in Europe can watch the videos as a way to check up on her brother. He's changed so much in the five weeks she's been gone. Our router is broken so we are not as mobile with our internet connection, for now. If we could afford it, we could get a video camera for the computer and Skype with Eva. 2010! As Cas put it: where are the flying cars?

crazy busy summer

We have been really really busy (obviously, I haven't posted a blog in months).

We miss Eva so much during this long visit with her Mom. Ben is a maniac with the walking and crawling and climbing and putting stuff in his mouth. His bottom teeth are working their way into the world.

We miss our family and know that everyone else is busy as well.

Entrepreneurs!

Proud Business Owners!!

Located below the Water Tower!!

Open 6 am - 6 pm, 7 days!!

Desperately seeking volunteer baristas!

Just kidding...we're managing okay, working on training the high school girl from next door. Missed the SFJ auction, Justin's first time ever, and we all missed seeing our loving, supportive family and friends. This is an important year, this first year at JRE. Thanks to all our customers and fans!

Moustache March

So, there it is...Eva requested a photo change for the blog and I guess I may be ruining our chances for using this photo for a Christmas card but it is so stinking funny to see all of us with mustaches!

I don't know what it is...whenever Eva and Grumpa Robert are in a photo together, they both look ready to cause trouble!!

Or maybe it's just a grandparent-thing.

It was also the first opportunity the Clark-Miller Clan has had to meet Liam's new squeeze, Jessica Collins. Everyone gave me the "be nice to her" lecture, and I tell you what....I have more to fear from her, than she does from me! It was really fun to hang out with her and Golden Boy, Liam. And announcing their big news, they are moving to Bozeman together this summer, pending some major logistics. It is going to be great to them back in Montana!

While in Missoula, Eva cashed in on mom and dad's generosity and good fortune. She is forcing the 80s fashions on us, but man, she sure can rock that side ponytail! (Can you see Ben on the floor to the left of her feet?)

She's been a great help during these hectic times. Hopefully, Jumping Rainbow Espresso will be up and running Thursday, April Fool's! Thanks to everyone, lots of love and check in on us!

Procrastination!!

Moustache March!

So, I've been working on the Buy Local blog....and procrastinating, just call it what it is. Blogging is hard for me and I've started flipping through other blogs and there are a lot of really creative people out there doing really cool things and the pressure is starting to make me feel very small and ...

I'm opening the coffee shop up April 1st and still have not found a location for it. I don't know if it's okay to have it next to the house. I am supposed to be scrubbing the inside of it and procrastination has brought me to posting on the family blog.

The kids are good, running errands with their Dad today in Butte. Ben is teething and cranky and oh so close to walking. He keeps trying to balance, letting go of the couch, the coffee table, the dresser drawers. Daredevil. They both have runny noses!

Winter, Winter, Winter

We've gone cross-country skiing as a family, which left the Evanator begging for her own skis. We've also started soaking in a different hot springs each weekend, which was awesome after downhill skiing at Discovery the Saturday of President's Day weekend.
Eva, the fearless natural athlete that she is, really liked the downhill skiing. She road the Easy Chair lift by herself many times and shot down the bunny hill like a pro! We were both really proud of her, and if we start saving now, maybe we can afford the ski lessons at Maverick next winter.

Mommy skiied with friends Kathryn and Andy. Daddy and the Benjammin' hung out in the lodge and parking lot. Afterwards we went to Fairmont Hot Springs. So far this winter, we've soaked at Norris, Jackson, Boulder and Fairmont. (I totally forgot about Boulder, it was an interesting beginning to Super Bowl Sunday).

Our snow is gone now, but I try to get the kids outside to enjoy the bits we do get before the wind and the sun melts it all away.

Poor Ben is often at the mercy of his older, daredevil sister. They play together very well. Ben is already pulling himself up to standing and will begin walking any day now.

There are five weeks left of the unlimited yoga I am teaching, which I guess also means that it is five weeks until Jumping Rainbow Espresso opens. I'm also keeping busy with the Twin Bridges Community Association and the Buy Local group of the Greater Ruby Valley Chamber of Commerce. The kids are doing great! Eva, despite her new found love of skiing, is already asking about summer. She is going to be busy visiting family from right after Father's Day until right before school starts. Justin is busy helping me with the kids and getting the coffee shop up and running. He's so supportive. We're a happy little family and very lucky for all that we have.

Namaste!!

A video of Ben sharing some blueberry yogurt with his mommy (excuse the bad lighting). He's doing really funny things with his lips these days as he loves to eat and puts anything in his mouth.

Juliet Visit, Justin Birthday, Eva Basketball

Despite all my previous belly-aching, Eva and friend took on another at-home craft project. Eva had her friend Kenna over for the night Friday night (1/15). Kenna's mom gave birth to a baby boy Joshua Aaron 1/12 and the girls (2 girls are better than 3 for play date!?!) built mobiles for their baby brothers. Justin picked his brave sister, Juliet, up from the Butte Greyhound station at 1 am. Saturday 1/16 the girls had morning basketball practice and then took Kenna home.

Saturday brought family outing to Boze-angeles to introduce Juliet to Plonk! the wine bar and to purchase our new family pets--Goldfish!!

Sunday was brunch at the Old Hotel and then soaking in Norris. Monday was the big day and boy did we girls work hard getting things ready for the middle-aged birthday boy! Luckily, Eva had the day from school (MLK day) and could help Juliet and I with preparations. I cleaned house while Joules made some wonderful vittels (sp?).

Robert and Leslie joined our birthday celebration. Benjamin did not enjoy our singing: it made him scream from fear.

It was a great time having Juliet visit, and even though we miss her greatly, we get to enjoy her beautiful artwork left on our chalkboard sign out front.

A picture of "Cheeks" and "Tonga", happy in their new home.

The second and third graders played during halftime of a girls' varsity game Friday night. Eva is a natural athlete and will be an amazing basketball player once she figures out the finer points of the game. Highlights for the fans: Eva stealing the ball from her own teammate and running with the ball! She did make an amazing steal from the white team at the beginning of the game and even got a shot off. We look forward to following her athletic career!

January weekend...Montana-style

I'm guilty of it again: going weeks without blogging, depriving our family and friends the details of our happy family, but I've been busy. I know its hard to believe but what I think is most interesting is the lengths I'll go in order to avoid sitting down and writing a business plan for Jumping Rainbow Espresso (opening April 1st this year)!
Our baby boy is happier than ever and crazier than ever. I mean, he is all over the place with the rolling and crawling and scooting and oh man, he's a movin' man.


This evening, we moved around the bedroom furniture, slowly moving Ben's sleeping quarters further away from our bed. Will it take??
Will we get the baby out of our bed and into his own crib?
I wouldn't mind so much if it weren't that lately, he is intent to kick the bejeepers out of me during the night, or pinch and pull or bite until he gets the boob, which is easier to pull to his mouth than for him to move his head. I love my baby, I want to do right by him,
he is beating the crap out of me at night and ...
falls to sleep soundly with Justin when I'm not in bed.
I don't want to have to move to the couch.
Time for Baby Ben to toughen up, sleep in his own crib.
Pray for us!





Eva started basketball practice this weekend. Fifty 2nd-5th graders will gather a couple times a week for the next couple weeks. They get to play during halftime of a high school game and learn basketball skills. Can you spot the blonde babe in the back with the white outfit?

Here's our beautiful girl totally at home out of doors, rolling round in the winter wonderland.

Didn't sled for long but it was King Benjamin's first time out in the snow!

I don't think he was crazy about it.

Below is our first attempt at putting a video on the blog.

Hope it works and all are able to enjoy the kids!

Peace to all!