Spring Projects

Ever since the weather has turned nice, every chance we get Whitney and I are outside working on projects around the house. We've really enjoyed getting the yard into shape and getting the place cleaned up after the long winter. I'm excited about the cherry blossoms, the apples are almost there too. I hope we get a good fruit crop like we did last year.
With less than a month to go before the wedding, we can't wait to see everybody in Missoula!

May!

It's almost May! With our wedding just over a month away, we are really feeling the excitement and anticipation. We are working out the final details now, and trying to make sure we haven't forgotten anything. More and more people are RSVP'ing and thanks so much to everybody who has visited our gift registries. To anybody who has not sent the RSVP back, I should warn you that the stamps we included will be short of postage by 2 cents in May. Sorry I don't have more to post, I can't wait to see you all really soon.
Kyle

Jeeps in the Family

Apparently bouncing around in flat fender jeeps has been in the family for a while!

This is a picture of my grandparents in their military surplus jeep soon after WWII. I can remember my grandfather telling us how there were thousands and thousands all lined up ready for sale. I think he paid around $250 for this one.

My brother also has a flat fender, bought a couple years before mine. This was the one that introduced us to the fun of jeeps, and many wild adventures.

There is also a Willys truck in the family, and my Uncle had a canary yellow CJ-7 for a time before swapping for a beautiful Jeepster convertible.

I guess when you get down to it, Jeeps are a family tradition!

KJ

The Jeep gets a new home.

Last November my Dad came out to visit and brought a load of my old stuff (Whitney says junk) from his place. The single best thing he brought was my 1943 Ford GPW, Military Jeep. Some folks may not know (or care to know) that during the second World War, Willys could not produce enough jeeps to meet the need. So Ford produced jeeps on the Willys design and stamped their parts with a script F. The story goes that Ford didn't want anybody mistaking his jeeps for a Willys.
My Dad helped me buy this jeep when I was 15 turning 16. That summer the jeep needed a new motor and transmission rebuilt, and I had a broken leg. We were a good match. Since then the jeep and I have gone on many adventures and even served as my daily driver for the better part of a year while I was working at the LB Ranch. My Brother and our buddies went on many wild camp outs and jeep trips; Just get us all together and the stories will start: "Remember that one time in Cleer Creek"...
The jeep and I had been separated since I left home, but thanks to Dad we are together again. Now I look forward to cleaning "her" up and getting jeeping again!
Hope you like these shots of the day we moved the jeep in to our home.
KJ

Winter Day Photo Post

Throw another log on the fire, pull on your slippers, grab some hot coco and I'll show you a few pictures of me and Whit and what we've been up to this past fall.

As a graduation gift for Whitney last year, her Uncle Larry gave her a 12' fishing boat!
These next few pictures are from a fishing weekend at one of our favorite local lakes.

Whitney and I also really enjoyed the hunting season this year. We had a great time getting out and exploring some new spots in both Western and Central MT.

These photos are from opening morning this fall.

The other thing we did a lot of this fall was go to several Griz Games!

These pictures are from the Thanksgiving Holiday when Whitey's family joined us for a game.

The Griz had a great season and went all the way to the National Championship!

Well, that's all for now. I hope you enjoyed the pictures!

Kyle and Whitney (and Sheridan and Rosco)

GRIZ BABY!

This post is dedicated to the cutest little Griz Baby in the world, my Niece Nia!
Happy New Years to everybody and especially Nia who is celebrating her very first New Years!
Thanks to April for the great picture!

December 2008

Sitting here in Madras for Christmas I'm finally taking the time to update this. Kyle and I were able to spend Christmas with my great aunt, uncle, cousins, parents and sister. It was nice to have this holiday here in the house that I grew up in as it may be the last one here. My dad was offered a job in Ashland, OR over 72 other applicants. He and mom have decided it was time to move on and retire somewhere else. They are looking forward to the challenge of a new job and living in a bigger town. He starts in early january as Ashland School District's new maintenence supervisor (facilities manager). Mom will continue to work here until they sell the house, which may be a challenge with the economy the way it is. So, after 13 years they are saying goodbye to Madras. We are excited for them, though it will make our drive 4+ hours longer.

Meanwhile, I'm busy at work and looking at applying for a permanent silviculture position with the forest service in Plains when I get back this week. Kyle and I will head back in to the office on monday. Dale and Lauren are meeting us tomorrow in Madras and will be driving back to Montana with us for a visit. We are really looking forward to showing them the house and Plains. Wish we had another week of vacation! :)

Happy Holidays!