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(13 May 2012) Mae Elizabeth (1 yr), Meghan Leigh (32), Joshua (31.9) and Miles Lee (3.75) on the stairs in their foyer. They are what make it all worthwhile!
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We are Michigan Wolverines transplanted to southeastern Idaho to be near daughter and her family. We are enjoying the mountains, missing the lakes and the Wolverines but loving every minute with family!
Christmas Camraderie.
They look so compatible, playing quietly together on Christmas morning. This didn't mean the occasional tussle didn't break out between Miles and Mae in all of the holiday excitement!
Our Mini Wolverines.
(04/29/2012) Miles and Mae run off some steam at a rest stop north of LasVegas. Glenn and I had stopped for a quick break, and not even realizing we were there, the Jurgens' pulled in shortly thereafter. The kids were dressed in their Michigan windsuits which were Christmas gifts from us.
Moon Over Chesterfield.
(12/09/2011) The moon rises above the mountains near Chesterfield Reservoir as Glenn ice fishes. This trip was the maiden voyage for the 2011-12 season. We caught nine rainbow trout, keeping only two -- but each weighed in at 2 1/4 pounds.
Balloon Boy.
(08/11/2011) Miles peers from behind his balloons. We did the vinegar + baking soda = carbon dioxide experiment. He thought it was really fun!
Recent Reflections.
(09/12/2011) Mae Elizabeth contemplates herself. She was sitting in her bebe pod on our bathroom counter.
Daycare Deja Vu.
(08/02/2011) In a scene often observed when it was just Miles, Grandpa takes up snoozin' with Mae Elizabeth in his arms.
A Dear One is A Deer One!
(03/22/2011) Each evening while he bathes, I put Miles' towels in the dryer -- he loves jumping out of the tub and into them. Now, I'm also putting his reindeer-hooded fleece blanket from his other Grandma. Wrapped in two warm towels, the reindeer blanket and accompanied by Zuey the Monkey-Pal and favorite blanket, we sit in the lounger watching "Spongebob Squarepants." Mostly, I take the opportunity to kiss Miles' head, cheeks and ears!
My Prince Charmings.
(0/02/2011) All three of the "guys" I spend my days with sleep in the lounge chair. Miles was still getting over a nasty cold, which he'd given to both Glenn and me. Zuey, the totally devoted monkey-pal, escaped the sneezes.
A Snowy Day.
(02/04/2011) Miles and Daddy Josh spent the day together while Mom Meghan was finishing up a training seminar in St. Louis, MO. Part of the day's activities included working more on their snow fort and being buried! Josh emailed this pic from his cell phone.
Michigan Miles
(10/11/10) Our little Michigan Man snoozes on our bed with his best (stuffed) buddy, Zu-Hi the monkey. Maybe he's dreaming the 'Rines finally get a defense!
Seeing Eye-to-Eye
(05/19/2010) Wearing Glenn's glasses, Miles looks like an up and coming Harry Potter. As part of his daily routine 'taking care of' Bop-Bop and Poo-Poo (us), he makes sure we are always wearing our glasses. Good idea.
Bathtime Buddy Bundle
(05/05/10) Each day Miles gets bathed here, either in a shower shared with Bop-Bop or in the bath tub. Can you spell "s-p-o-i-l-e-d?" Poo-Poo warms his towel in the dryer -- it's so cozy!
Really Small Game Hunting.
(04/10/2010) Glenn was invited by nephew Matt to go hunting last Saturday evening when we visited in Phoenix. My belief is that there are pros and cons to living in any locale, and we must learn to "bloom where planted." That said, I'm not sure I could become accustomed to finding scorpions in my back yard and occasionally in my house! Equipment needed for such a hunt includes an extension cord, black light, can of scorpion spray and courage!
Fops, Fops!
(03/15/10) While playing in our bedroom, Miles kept saying "Fops, Fops" and I didn't understand. . . Until he went to my closet for my furry flip-flops, which he thinks are just too funny!
Politically Incorrect, But Cute!
(03/04/2010) Miles wears an 'indian headdress' I made for him this week. He likes holding a shaker-bottle and dancing around chanting, like Bop-Bop taught him. Using paper towel tubes and tissue paper, I also made a 'campfire' for him. All three of us wore headdresses, shook the bottles and chanted. Miles' new name is "Little Moon Watcher" as he is fascinated with seeing and pointing out the orb every day.
My Pal Ronald
(12/23/09) Miles was not interested in sitting on Santa's lap when he appeared one day at "Book Babies." But then again, Santa was ALIVE. He felt much better about snuggling up to an immobile Ronald McDonald at the Sandpoint, ID McDonald's!
HARRIED HIKER
(09/12/2009) Although he never really had to WALK any of the hike, all of the excitement and fresh air got the better of Miles. He dozed off IN his backpack and continued snoozing in the truck.
OOH-OOH!!
(09/04/09) A sidebar benefit to the driveway work included the entertainment it provided to Miles. We spent lots of time looking out the window, and sitting on either the front or back porches watching. Many little fingerprints were left behind on the patio doors, along with the memory of many little boy "Oooh-oooh!" sounds!
PARK PALS
(08/06/09) Adjacent to the fairgrounds in Downey is the community park. After having Miles' ride in his car seat and then sit in his stroller, I decided to let him wiggle bit at the park. He particularly enjoys the swings. In fact, after his first 'swing' I took him to the other side of the park to run in the grass. He walked all the way back across the park -- leading the way -- and returned to the swing for another 'ride'!
CAMPING COMPANIONS
(07/25/09) Miles-Guy experienced his first campout this last weekend. Glenn and I secured a campsite at the Joe T. Fallini Campground on the Mackay Reservoir. Due to her plant's recognition of "Pioneer Day", Meghan didn't work Friday. However, Joshua spent the entire weekend at Agrium during their turnaround period. Meg and Miles joined us Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. In the end Miles declared (in his own way) "Camping is fun!" Here, he and grandpa relax in front of the morning campfire; a bit of the reservoir and surrounding mountains can be seen in the background.
SALMON RIVER STOP
(07/26/09) During an afternoon drive from our campsite at the Mackay Reservoir to Challis, we stopped briefly at a fishing spot in the Salmon River. Glenn caught two mountain whitefish and had several more strikes. I caught, but did not land, a whitefish also and had two strikes. We only stopped there about 20 minutes!
I LIKE GUACAMOLE!
(07/22/2009) Couldn't resist adding this photo of Miles enjoying avocados for lunch. Frankly, there's no food we've given him yet that he's rejected flat-out. He even gets excited when he sees a can of black olives!
BATHTIME BUDDIES
(07/14/09) After a busy day which included (for Glenn) racquetball and gardening and (for Miles) stroller rides and outdoor play, both were in need of a little cleaning up. So, while I worked on dinner, my boys took a bath. It involved much splashing.
FIRST HAIRCUT!
(07/05/09) Miles was in need of a slight haircut this week; his bangs had grow so long they were parting down the middle. Sort of like Alfalfa in "Spanky and Our Gang." His dad Josh did the deed and nipped his bangs.
BACKPACKIN' A BOY
(06/21/2009) Joshua's request for Fathers' Day was for his family to take a hike and have a picnic. For his birthday June 8, Glenn and I bought him a baby backpack. So, on that special day, the Jurgen family hit the trail near Robbers Roost. There they are, dad and son, enjoying the out of doors!
Teton Time
(05/31/09) Miles and Grandpa enjoy some outdoors time at Teton National Park.
GARDENING GURU
(05/09/09) Saturday a.m. Glenn gave the new garden spot behind the Jurgen house a once-over with the rototiller. Then, we planted the cold-weather seeds: onions, beets, peas, lettuce, radishes, chives, and parsley. Unlike his garden spot in MI which featured rock-solid clay worthy of adobe construction, this soil is a lovely, loose loam. However, unlike MI this garden will also need watering!
Berry Boy
(04/29/09) Miles has become a real fruit eater, and especially enjoys any combination that involves berries. He has now progressed to 'self-feeding' and does pretty well getting Cherrios, bits of banana and oranges and little pieces of toast into his mouth. An added note, in this picture the bib/apron he's wearing belonged to Meghan when she was very little. It was handmade by Aunt Gayle (Glenn's sister) for her.
AUNT B MEETS MILES
(04/17/09) Glenn was given the camera and a particular responsibility -- to take a photo of Great Aunt Brenda meeting Miles for the first time. He came through like the champion he is -- and here is the photo to prove it! What cannot be seen, however, is that upon meeting her new great-nephew, Brenda shed tears!
BOARDING PASS
(4/17/2009) Miles and Mom prepare for the flight to the Midwest at the Salt Lake Airport. As insurance measure for a stress-free travel day, they took along the ultimate toy -- Grandpa!
Baby Boy Bed Bug in Blue
(04/08/09) Having become mobile in the sense that he can now crawl, Miles added a new dimension to our daycare responsbilities. No longer do we put him on our bed for naps . . . especially since made a beeline for the bedside table and lamp!
Percussion Practice
(03/10/09) Grandpa and Miles practice their percussion skills nearly every day on Daddy's big drum set which is in our attic. Actually, Miles has now figured out how to use TWO drumsticks at one time. He seems to really like the tambourine and cymbal sounds!
Trouble Coming Soon!
(02/28/09) We know trouble is just around the corner. Miles can pull himself up to peer over the pack-n-play railing. Not too long, we're sure, and he'll be working on how to get out!
Sleepy Time
(02/18/09) Grandpa and I do get a few quiet moments throughout the day when Miley-Guy naps.
Teaching Typing Still
(01/26/09) Miles has become my latest keyboarding student. We're using a "Tomy Tutor Typer" toy that belonged to Meghan to "practice" our skills!
Riding the Laundry Lions
Miles rode on Grandma's "Laundry Lions" today, using his BeebePod as a saddle. We are also working on teaching him to do the laundy (Is this a dark color or a light color?). Miles says the spin cycle is the most fun.
The Best Package!
Miles received many lovely gifts from his Grandma Marsha and Grandpa Curt, as well as Santa (he must be a very good boy after all). But, like so many kids . . .he really liked playing in the paper!
Reindeer Buddy
The Hillesland family "pet" (use that word loosely in his case) often visits Mae at Meadowbrook Manor. At the recent holiday party, he was a big hit . . .he's very friendly and the residents like him. . .but his additional festive costume put him up front and center in the popularity contest!
Hillesland Holiday
Seth and Layne spent last Saturday afternoon attending my mom's holiday party at Meadowbrook Manor. Seth is 16 and a junior; Layne is 13 and in 8th grade. Both are outstanding students and dedicated athletes. And, both visit their Grandma regularly, for which I am thankful and proud.
Duck Boy
Miles has confessed to us (in his own way) that he sometimes feels silly being dressed like an animal. But, he makes such a cute duck!
Bathtime Bull's-eye
Miles relaxes in his bathtub atop the counter separating the dual sinks in the master bathroom. Our favorite bathtime story so far . . . he squirted a beautiful arc of urine . . .right into his dad's toothbrush cup!
Wishing Well or Well Wishing?
Well, (pun intended), our well is drilled! Mountain West drilling spent four days on our lot (some time due to equipment breakdown) drilling for water. We "wished for a well" at 300 feet or shallower, as this depth was what our builder predicted. They found water at 340 feet, which is not that bad. Two of our neighbors are at 400' and 450' respectively. Nonetheless, at $31 per foot, those extra 40 feet sort of added up quickly! The pump and septic go in this week. According to the well driller, they were pumping right around 30 gallons per minute, which is more than the average house can handle at one time anyway. Oh, well, what's another $1200?
Slough Creek Success
It took two hours to hike back to the second meadow of Slough Creek from our campground, but it's always worth it. The walk isn't bad as the "trail" is actually more of a two-track and the scenery spectacular. Here, Glenn fights what turned out to be about a 14" cutthroat trout.
Casting Creepiness
Casting, as in fly fishing, took on a creepy bent for me during our recent trip to Yellowstone. I cast my fly into an off-the-beaten-path section of the Lamar River. At first, I thought I'd tangled it on some brush sticking out of the water. Closer inspection revealed that the "branch" was actually the horn of a bison who'd drowned in the river. We speculated that in crossing, it got a hoof caught in rocks and couldn't get out. As I stood on a nearby rock, the water's ebb and flow brought its face to near-surface. Ick.
First Visit
Miles visited Grandpa and Grandma's house for the first time about two weeks ago. He slept through the entire experience. Apparently, he was not impressed with framing, plywood or the views from our future windows!
Boppy Nap
Of all the "new things" available in the world of babies, the Boppy Pillow is one of my favorites. Shaped like a horseshoe, Meghan puts it around her waist to rest Miles on for nursing. Here, Miles naps on the floor on the inside of the "shoe." Where was this neat item when I could've used it?
My Grandpa Loves Me
Miles Lee peers over the shoulder of Grandpa Glenn. Grandpa is a BIG fan of Miles and can't wait to hold and hug him, change his diapers. Grandpa also engages in another favorite activity, telling his grandson "silliness and nonsense."
Bonus Room Bonanza.
Due to the construction of the trusses, we will end up with a fairly large bonus room. An open staircase from the foyer was giving us reason to pause; how to finish off the top of the stairs so the unfinished bonus area was not visible from the foyer? Glenn came up with a relatively inexpensive solution. This photo is taken from the framed doorway looking north (he's standing in the darkened corner). We are finishing off about 1/3 of the bonus room with sheetrock and carpeting. It will be the perfect retreat for Glenn and his many antlers and turkey fans (which I decreed would NOT be hung in the great room!).
Basement Butterfly?
Not really, but I took this picture of the water "pipes" in the basement. Each white, flexible tube runs to a specific faucet or water source in the house. The ones on the left are hot water, the blue on the right are cold. Every individual faucet may be turned off at the source. I think it looks like some kind of giant butterfly or moth clinging to our basement wall!
In the Saddle
Many Idahoans in this area own and ride horses, and this week we got our own saddle. . .but not the horse-riding kind. For several weeks the dining room roof was held up by a temporary column of 2" x 6"s. This custom-made metal "saddle" was built for the house to support a cross-beam in the ceiling. Now, the dining room is unobstructed and we no longer need to worry about any kind of roof collapse!
Beaver Mountain Overlook
Small photos simply cannot do justice to the scenery. Across the canyon is Beaver Mountain ski area. We stopped along a forest road opposite the mountain to picnic.
You Know You're Old When. . . .
It seems everyone I know has their own personal definition of when they are officially "old." My personal definition is when I am no longer willing to bathe in a lake. This photo was taken at Bloomington Lake at about 9,000+ feet in elevation. Notice at the far left the white patch; that is winter snow still melting into the lake!
Bear Lake Beach
This photo of Glenn on the beach at Bear Lake State Park speaks a bit. Due to limestone deposits, the water in this lake is reminiscent of the Caribbean (or any swimming pool liner). It also reminded us of Higgins Lake, MI as the water is shallow out about 100 yards. The beach is deep, nearly a quarter mile, and driving on it is allowed.
Deer, Me!
Sunday morning, July 27, Glenn and I took a stroll up to our building site. While standing in the doorway of the future office, we noticed movement in our front yard. Fortunately, I'd taken the digital camera and we captured evidence of wildlife! This mule deer buck, with antlers in velvet, strolled through our future front yard, zipped across our lot, through the adjacent pasture and over the hill. Needless to say, but I will anyway, Glenn was pretty excited!!
The View from His Chair
On Saturday, July 19 I took a folding camp chair to the house and set it in the great room. It's approximately where either the sofa or a recliner will be. In this position, Glenn (and I, too!) will be able to see the hills and ski area through the window, the television (which will be in the corner) and the fire place (you may be able to make out its form boxed in).
Deck Delicacies
Glenn sits on the door sill of our master bedroom patio door which will lead to the back deck. On Friday evening, July 11, we made ourselves a picnic, grabbed the outdoor blanket and spent about three hours there. The views are just awesome to us former flatlanders!
Trusses!
The majority of trusses were hoisted by crane onto our home on Thursday, July 3. The peaks of the trusses have yet to be placed. It's finally beginning to feel like a house!
Not Mayflowers, But JUNE Flowers!
One of the greatest delights of this early season trip to the national parks (Yellowstone and Grand Tetons) were the awesome displays of spring flowers. This photo was taken inside Grand Teton National Park; the lupins are Glenn's absolute favorite!
Grizzly Bears Like Salad!
We watched this grizzly from the safety of our pickup cab. At one point, it was less than five feet from my window (which was then prompty rolled up!). A dining note: grizzlies apparently LOVE dandelion blossoms as this one ate a ton! We watch it for over 15 minutes.
Dining Room Windows and Future Dinner Guests
Meghan's pregnancy is moving along quite nicely. She is feeling well and healthy and her doctor has no concerns at this time. We are less than two months from the appearance of our grandson, who in this photo is making his first visit to our dining room!
My New Office
Framers worked Friday and got a couple of partial walls vertical. I'm standing in the area which will be the window of the room which will be the home office.
Pebble Creek Ski Area
Glenn has already purchased a season pass to the ski area which we will be able to see from our bedroom window!
The Back Deck
Our home will feature a 12' deep deck off the back. Beneath the deck will be the concrete pad for our drive-under garage. I'm looking forward to summer evenings with my dinner and a glass of wine from here!
The Front Porch
I dream of sitting on my front porch, morning cup of java in-hand and looking at this view!
Our Future Bedroom!
This photo was taken shortly after we purchased our building site in May, 2006. We are standing approximately where our Master Bedroom will be. In the back ground are visible the ski runs at Pebble Creek Ski Area!
Duck Boy.
Sometimes Miles tells us that he feels a little silly being dressed up like various animals. But, oh, my -- he does make a dandy duck!
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