Back at the Ranch

I love this driveway...

The Rays- Montana since 1996

biologically impossible

Evolution...trust me on this one.

Someone didn't spread the fertalizer very well

Ranchin' in GStar Raw

Putting ol' blue to work

Ace riding shotgun

grab that box Solo...lets go.

I have an incredible side ache. Most of the trip was bumpy, loud and quite exciting. Solo, CJ and I drove the 26' Uhaul from Whitefish down to Rollins thru the construction, Kalispel traffic and along Flathead lake. I drove with one arm hanging out the window in an attempt to let everyone know just how easy it is for me to drive this whale. Solo sitting lucky while watching a TV show on his iPhone as CJ was holding onto Izzi's fish bowl for "dear life" as if it were filled with red matter and was afraid to spill one drop. We drove on.

Pulling up to the lake house brought back memories of the amazing summers we have enjoyed over the years. This place along the lake was what brought us to Montana after all and I will never forget that. I looked at the grey house as we pulled close and felt warm. I am truly excited for this chapter in our life. It's funny that it only took 3 years for us to feel like Whitefish a town of 7000 was too city for us, so we moved to the country. Rollins population now is 143.

She

When you have loved as she has loved, you grow old beautifully.

W. Somerset Maugham

I often sit and listen as she patiently solves yet another dark, demanding, difference of opinion soaked defense of two very clever minds. She controls the floor. She is heard. I often just watch as she engages in love; the kind she reads to them about, the type about which she teaches them life's laden lessons, while that ever engaging laugh pours out more and more and more onto them without their even knowing what just happened. She is beautiful.

There are times when I look up and wonder how did everything find it's order. She is genius. I could never in a billion years appropriately place things so efficiently. She has brought me peace, made me proud and contributed more than her share of humility to our lot. She is my wife. She is my friend. She is my partner and my accomplice. She is strong, sharp, high powered, firm, dedicated, delicate and delicious all at the same time. I have never seen her equal. But most importantly she is my editor. And if by chance all of this is not enough, she can sing too.

Jake workin hard for the money

Tamarack

Tamarack for lunch. Chicken enchiladas for me and some crazy bread
and cheese sticks for solo. Were are discussing plans on how to
double our Internet buisness. Now we just need to figure out how to
develope our iPhone app.

to the teenager

I was a bar tender tonight. Smiling faces, kids in braces, women with cake and men that gathered around each with a story to tell, a tale of friends on a day for Izzi. "It's a girl; Yes I am sure". She was born thirteen years ago and on that night everything changed. Izzi came home a few days later and was quite a bit different from what her brother Solomon taught us about kids. She was commanding. She was sure she didn't need the schedules we put her on. She was always sure of what she wanted. She was sure that after having all the ballet rehearsals, that on opening night she would decide she was done with dance. When she was 10 years old, she decided that she was done with piano lessons. She was sure that she didn't need them anymore and that she would take guitar instead. She has proved to be right most of the time. Something that we didn't expect from her but soon came to love. She has blossomed into a beautifully sweet girl with a big heart and a soft spirit. She teaches us daily about desire and dedication. She can truly accomplish anything. I was so proud of her tonight as I watched her inter act with friends and family. She laughed and smiled and watched her brother sing her favorite song. What a view from behind the bar.

Even kids love piggyback

Gangs of whitefish

Wine night...

Bags breaks in

Having some trouble on the ranch