New Puppies

We got a surprise this year, our McNab Taz had a litter of puppies. But they were not all McNab, somehow she and Kasey got together and we now have McTrivers! They are actually some of the nicest pups we've ever had, very friendly and the kids have had a blast playing with them. Shaelie's favorite was the puppy she named Jonas (after one of her favorite bands). The other four ended up with Charley, Sadie, Fox,
and Eeek (Seth named that one, cause he said he made lots of noise.) They may not be purebreds, but with the way Kasey works cows, I'd bet they'd be great stock dogs. :)

The New Addition

The newest addition to the Palmer menangerie is Big Sky Kasey Joe, our Golden Retriever puppy. Why a Golden, when we raise McNab Stockdogs? Well......it all started when a friend called and asked my advice on getting a new family dog, so......after looking and thinking about it, I told her she would be happy with a Golden. I knew my parents had neighbors who raised them, and they just happened to have a litter ready to go. When I got the pictures of the puppies I fell in love! I decided the kids (LOL), especially Seth, needed a dog like this! Kasey is totally into Seth, he follows him everywhere and loves to play with him. He's been a great addition to our family, even though he chews EVERYTHING! (McNabs do not go through this stage!) He murdered my cute fall scarecrows and ate all my pretty silk flowers on the front porch! But we love him to death and hopefully he will grow out of the chew and destroy phase! His favorite thing to do is jump up on the storm door and look in at us to see what we're doing. It's been kind of fun to have something different after 17 years of raising McNabs! :) Welcome Kasey!

Two of a Kind.....

Seth and Chantel, definately two of a kind. They can fight like cats and dogs, but they totally understand each other. I just love this picture of the two of them snuggling in the chair!

Fishin

This summer Shawn took Seth fishing a few times in the irrigation ditches around the ranch. They only caught a few small brookies, but Seth was thrilled. They brought them home and cooked them right up. Seth's new favorite food is fried brook trout.

Fish Hatchery

Of course this happened in May but I love this picture of Seth watching all the huge trout swim around in the tank. We love to head to Anaconda each year for Shaelie and Chantel's track meet so we can stop at the hatchery and let Seth feed the fish. He had so much fun watching them, and trying to touch them when they came up for the food. :)

Basin School Trip to Yellowstone

The week before school let out for the summer Mickenzie and I went on the yearly Basin School Trip. This is an overnight trip, and this year they chose to go to Yellowstone Nat. Park. We got to ride on a very nice charter bus, with comfy seats and TV's (although they never could get the DVD player to work right). We stopped at Quake Lake and went to the visitor's center there. We went to the Bear and Wolf Center, it was neat to get to see these animals up close, then we headed into the park. We watched Old Faithful go off and walked around a bit, then headed off to Island Park where we stayed in a bunk house and had a great hot dog roast. Up early the next morning and back to the park for some site seeing and hiking (where I got a very rude wake up call pertaining to how out of shape I am!) up to Mystic Falls. We got to see lots of buffalo and elk but no bears in the park. We headed home in the afternoon, stopping in Livingston for dinner. It was great to spend two whole days with Kenzie doing something really fun (well except for the hike,maybe...) and Grandma came and stayed with Seth. I did have some moments where I caught myself looking around for him though! It was very strange to have time with just one of the girls. Kenz and I had a blast and I can't wait to take all of the kids to Yellowstone (yeah, I know, we LIVE in Montana and we've never taken them....sad!) But I am going to get some walking in before I go again!

School's Out....for the kids

June 3rd was a day of mixed emotions, the begining of summer, the end of Mickenzie attending Basin School. We are so sad that her wonderful time there is over, but we are also so grateful for the wonderful two years she was able to spend there. Thanks to two of the best teachers ever, Ms. E and Ms. U. We will miss you!