Well, there's some good news and some bad news!!!

Okay...the GOOD NEWS first: We're having Chamber-of-Commerce weather PLUS wonderful, badly needed moisture! The trees have lost most of their leaves so the colors have changed. There are piles of them everywhere adding shades of brown to the spruce and pines that are happily absorbing all the moisture in the air! Yes indeed, it's really beautiful.

Now for the BAD NEWS: It's terrible weather for the hunters. The guys came in on Friday so they could pick up Tommy B's brother, Bobby. At that time, they were painfully aware of the good moisture Montana has received. That's NOT good with the "gumbo" type soil in the area they wanted to hunt. So...on Saturday, they managed to hunt about thirty minutes away from the house with no luck! On the bright side, they were able to get to Church that evening. Well, after an unsuccessful attempt to get to their preferred camping area on Sunday, they've studied their options and moved to another place. I'll keep you updated.

See how seriously they take the decision. (They were considering using a dart on the map...)



So...do you recognize THIS guy? If he puts on a little weight, I think he could get a job for the holidays!



How about this group!!! Keep your fingers crossed that EVERYTHING goes well for them this time!

Sunday, November 2, 2008, was a very special day at St. Jerome's Church, Waco, TX. With family and friends as witnesses, Dave and Laura as godparents, Karen and Jerome brought Kolbe Augustine to the Church where he was baptized and welcomed into the family of God. Here's a picture of the precious baby, Kolbe.





Maw-Maw was among the people celebrating thanks to Rod who brought her and the three Bell girls. (Thank you, Rod...we appreciate you sooooo much!) If you would like to see MORE pictures, "click" on the picture of Maw-Maw

I don't know if you realize that Montana has FIVE seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall and Hunting! Well, the Tommys--Brother Tommy and Tommy B--made the trek north and arrived Tuesday morning for "Hunting Season". (FYI: they left Texas on Monday, drove straight through except for an hour nap outside of Sheridan--that's dedication to hunting!) I'd like to bottle whatever they were "running on" yesterday...they NEVER slowed down. After a day of repacking Texas gear, shopping, packing, and checking those endless lists, they finally got to sleep. This morning, after coffee and a few warmed kolaches (most went with them for later), they left for the REAL adventure! Here are just a few pictures I was able to get before they left. Say a prayer that they're successful--although, just going probably is enough. Bernard thought it might be a great campout with a little hunting on the side. Well...the boy scouts are about to hit the high country! Deer and elk...BEWARE!



Do you think they packed enough? What's that motto: BE PREPARED! I believe they are...

This is the time of year I love. The colors are amazing...we've always had the yellows and oranges but, these last few years, more and more red maples are being planted. So we're getting a full paint box of shades--the greens and blue greens of the spruce and pines, all shades of brown in the trunks of trees, and the range of yellows to oranges to reds to burgundy!

This is what I see everytime I look out my kitchen window. Can you believe the aspen have gotten this big--you can't even see the neighbors most of the time!



This second picture is what we see as we walk out of the front door...it's the view of Ashley Court. You might notice there ARE a few leaves on the ground!



Of course, there's a reason the season is called "fall"--that's the part Bernard has a love-hate relationship with. He makes the "chore" of collecting the leaves fun by letting Shiloh chase a ball into them! It's become a tradition. Here are two pictures with very special links. I call this series of pictures "Why Bernard loves the fall". Click on them, they'll link you to youtube videos of our traditional "watch Shiloh find the ball" fall adventure.



One more...

Well...I'm back in Billings and Karen is "on her own"!!! It was hard leaving that wonderful family of five, but it was time. What a wonderful visit it was...I just pray that the Lord led us do those things we needed to do. We had such fun playing with the boys, decorating the nursery, playing with the boys, making valances, playing with the boys and generally enjoying the time we had! Bernard may have been in Billings, but he was definitely "there" with me!!! I thought you might enjoy these pictures...they are the "before" Kolbe and "beyond" pictures.