dapper man

Found this dapper dude at the Conrad house gift shop. Luckily I didn't get a picture of the fringe covered jacket that Wood was tempted to buy at another gift shop day before yesterday. Good thing it wasn't made in the USA because if it had been, you'd be seeing a picture of it now

Flathead lake

I really don't know where I would choose to live if I lived around this lake. It is soooo huge and has so many gorgeous views

Montana vacation

Flew into Missoula on Wed and then drove into Polson. Spent the morning there yesterday and almost didn't get out. It is such a gorgeous town at the south west end of Flat head lake, I loved it. Found a teepee shop and bought a wooden buffalo rocking chair, for the grand kids, not another one for the porch. And there was the mostly neatly organized, best priced, unique stuff antique shop, that I think I just have to go back and buy some stuff - we're going back Monday. Part of why I liked it so much, was the lake. We had a room that overlooked it and woke up early to watch the sunrise. Oh so gorgeous but it took so long!!!! I was out there clicking pictures for about an hour! well worth it though. On our drive up to Kallispell we saw a real live (most of the ones I have seen by the road are dead and smelly) very large, gorgeous skunk. He was racing the cars, or so it seemed on a large grass median. We watched in the rear view mirror to make sure he stayed on his race track. BUT the best sight of all, and the one that left me stammering.... We saw an eagle or some kind of very large hawk, don't think it was an osprey, carrying a fish in its talons. The fish was alive and squirming and was almost as big as the bird. It was such a National Geographic moment and it was right outside our car window! Yesterday afternoon we toured the Conrad mansion here in Kallispell. He is the founder of the city and his house was THE mansion in the area. It was gorgeously functional, which made it even more beautiful to me. Today we are off to Glacier National park and Browning to see a Native American Indian museum and to search for a Mandela for over the fireplace.

Front porch

Not sure if you can see the glider at about 7 oclock in the picture, but that is our sunset spot. They have been beyond beautiful. Hard to capture all of the rays shining through the clouds on picture. You all will just have to come visit to see for yourselves.

Love the deck

Back porch

We purchased a couple of cedar rocking chairs for the back porch and a cedar glider for the front porch. Just imagine us sitting there sipping mint juleps... or southern comfort... or hey, just a beer

Living room kitchen and dining all in one shot

Guest room

Anxiously awaiting its first visitors

Our bedroom

As you can see by the pictures laying up against walls in various photos, they have their spots, they are just waiting to be hung. I think we have a place where we are going to look for carpets for around the bed and in the living room. Can't wait to add them

Master bath

The tile isn't what we had originally hoped for but it works. Another focus challenged picture. I think I must need lessons... I even had my glasses on

House pictures

Aside from the fact that I am focused challenged... I thought I would start from the inside out. This is our guest bathroom. Desperately wanting some pictures for the walls. Hopefully we can pick some up in Montana this week

Last picture of the night from Central park

I have more to add, but my legs are tired and my feet need to go up. so more of Central park and then the all day tour of NYC tomorrow

Allwyn Building

This is right next to a building on the left that is very very simple Roman architecture with columns, corinthian I think, so would that make it Grecian architecture.... anyway this particular building has so much flourish (I want to say so Baroque), I just can't imagine creating it, much less keeping it up and looking smart.

Carnegie hall

Speaks for itself

I love the juxtaposition

Saint Greeters

Original church

this was the church that originally had me pulling out my phone before Wood took pity on me.

Jockeys

I was in a rush walking somewhere and saw all these Jockeys poised on the building. haven't a clue if it is a private residence or some kind of club. Could be either.

Mix of architecture

Don't know if you can see this well enough to see how all the buildings are mish mashed together. You've got your glass fancy new buildings, 50+ year old old style and then that dome building stuck inbetween them all. This looks deceptively peaceful, but there are always tons of taxis and people everywhere. Keep in mind this was Saturday morning about 10:30am

The tour of NYC begins

Wood and I started walking around on July 2nd before he had to do his presentation and of course I was captivated by all of the buildings and especially the architecture. It was then I remembered we forgot our camera again. So I pulled out my handy dandy phone to take some snapshots of this gorgeous church. Pretty soon Wood says he wants to look in this electronics store (sells phones, cameras, etc) so I go look in a American Girl store from which I quickly left when I found out the price of the dolls wasn't quite in the 2 year old granddaughter range (maybe 5 year old granddaughter). Any I went in to join Wood expecting him to be looking at phones. But he was looking at the niftiest camera which we subsequently bought. It fits right in my purse, about the size of a deck of cards, 7.2 megapixels and the screen in the back is about 2 1/2 inches. It is sooooo coool. So now it is always with me and I instantly started taking pictures. So bear with me as I learn to use its kazillion features. This is Radio City Music Hall right smack on the corner of a couple of very busy streets.

not the one of my youth

Not the radio flyer of my youth... but hopefully this will work. You even have to put air in the tires for a smoooooth ride. Dave struggled mightily and over came putting this together in the middle of the night. Thanks Dave!

Where'd they go

Looking for ducks and geese at the pond in the park

Park after church

After church on Sunday we went to a park close by and had a picnic. What a great day. I enjoyed the whole experience... even church, Sarah!!!

She ate the whole thing

Loved the ice cream, not too sure about the hat

Isaiah and Bopp on the swings

composition

Was trying to capture everyone playing. Not the best picture but a nice effort

indoor bubbles

Although we were supposed to be spreading the presents out over several days, Sarah couldn't wait for Ellen to have her indoor bubbles. Guess who has the wand? or blower in this case.

The guitar

having played in a rock band himself, Wood couldn't resist getting a guitar for Ellen. She LOVED it. Ok I thought it was pretty cool myself

new shades

To be worn stylishly upside down

Beginning of presents

Well not actually the beginning of presents, but the beginning since we arrived (Sarah says her birthday went on for a couple of weeks). This was a very very cool gift of gorgeous clothes from Grandma and Grandpa Budd. Not sure who was working harder at getting this open... check out Dave's face

Budd's favorite face

This is Dave's favorite face that Ellen likes to make. Actually I like the one above better

verrrry dead bird

We went for our walk by the river, which I just have to do every trip because I love it so much. This time Ellen, Sarah and I got bites of some sort, actually after the swelling went down it still felt like I had little critter crawling under my skin... never had a bite like that before. Anyway we saw what I thought was a really cool dead bird...thought the positioning was really interesting. Everyone else thought I was sick.

Pinch bumm

Ellen loves to run around the Kitchen island and chase her favorite target (which was me this day) and pinch bumm, pinch bumm....

Aren't they cute

Isaiah san shirt

this guy has the best, most easy going personality and is already quite a charmer

June 2005 Ellen's bday visit

Ok, we heard late today that our trip to DC was cancelled for tomorrow and the rest of this week so I actually have time to post now and will inundate you all with pictures and comments from our Portland visit, NYC trip and finally our house. To be posted separately of course and a long drawn out process so you will keep coming back for more. Looks like I have learned my first lesson in posting pictures. The picture goes before the text, can' t surround it like I was hoping. Ellen was glad to see us and Sarah agreed to dress the kids in their I'm the big sister, I'm the little brother shirts so I could take pictures