The months leading up to launching the training center, Tuff was fully occupied in setting up the programming, insurances, logistics, etc. The training center currently houses young Native American men. It serves as a discipleship program, building the complete health (physical, spiritual, mental, relational, and financial) through one on one discipleship, programing, educational and field work. Its all together exciting and challenging for us as this is truly a pilot.
Regardless of time and energy invested into the training center preparations, we still got to do some pretty fun family things. In September we traveled to Butte for our friend Richie's wedding (September 6th)! Tuff was in the wedding party.
Wedding party, mostly University of Montana alumni.
Pre-wedding festivities included shooting clay pigeons.
Wedding day, we took our chances and sat in the front!
The groomsmen looking dapper.
Groom's dinner, sitting with all our college friends!
Grace made a new best friend in Adam.
The newlyweds, Rachel and Richie. Grace insisted she could be Cinderella (the modern movie).
Wedding reception site was at Rachel's family home.
Mountains in Butte. Beautiful place to visit and a very beautiful wedding.
September 25th we took a day trip to Cooke City, Montana via Beartooth Pass through Redlodge, Montana and back to Billings via Chief Joseph Scenic Highway. Typically the pass is closed after Labor Day but we were experiencing 90 degree days still so made an impromtu decision to go.
I recall my Uncle Dave and Aunt Sandy saying they once took the pass in thier giant RV. I might have ditched the RV. We never hit faster than 20mph. That road is tight!
Right at peak elevation we encountered a group of mountain goats. They were brilliant white and so fluffy.
It was about 70 degrees near the top on our decent to Cooke City and snowing!
In Cooke City, we stopped for a burger, visited the trading post and headed out. I would do this trip again in a heartbeat.
Tuff and Grace took a daddy-daughter date to Colstrip to see Papa and Mam mid September.
Fishing in Colstrip.
Tuff and his dad.
Seriously the best photo of the cuzzies.
Learning patterns.
First letter learned was G of course.
Color organization.
Science: a nature bracelet.
Decorating a doorknob to remember the letter D.
More patterns.
Tracing letters.
Working on cutting skills.
Fun with numbers.
L is for lollipop.
Overall its pretty fun, although I do come across some attitude I don't think a teacher would experience from Goodie quite like mom does.
My dad and mom came from Minnesota October 24th to visit for several days before continuing on the road to Arizona. We did manage to golf one of the day, and although in the 60's, it felt cold. I failed at photos until the moment of departure.
That day, my dad stayed in Billings and watched Liza from 7am-noon while my mom and Grace accompanied me to my dating ultrasound in Crow Agency. They said May 7th by the way. My dad managed to teach Liza how to say "papa" while we were gone.
My prenatal care is with Indian Health Services and I got a good chuckle at the pain chart in the room.
Goodie as Astrid (from How to Train Your Dragon).
Later that night for Halloween a karate girl and a lion. We stopped for dinner with Bob and Gwen and they gave the girls fancy treats.
And finally just a few of my favorite photos since my last update. Sorry for stretching these blog updates out!
I can feed myself.
"Mom take a pictue of me feeding myself too."
October bike ride.
Upon checking the girls before I go to bed I find Grace, sleeping with a cow between her legs.
Sisters.
Daddy dancing with his daughters on a work break.
