Sometimes I find it hard to know how to organize all the events going on in our world... so for now, Dana will get his very own entry this go around :) He has really been up to many things. During the first week of May he was in Helena for the MSTOA (Mountain States Tactical Officers Association) Convention. This is where all the SWAT/SRT members of the region get together to train on many different areas, learn from each other and do things they may not be able to do in their own areas. Dana said he really had a great time and enjoyed a ride in a Blackhawk Helecopter. The Helecopter is one they would use if needed on a call out. Also very noteworthy is that each year, all the participants compete against each other on 4 different events: handgun and rifle accuracy, rescue simulations, obstacle course in full gear, building clearing. The Bozeman participants were broken randomly into two different groups and the team that Dana was on
WON the competition, placing 1st place!! YEAH for them! This is really special honor for the department as a whole and especially for those in the competition. Another big complement to this team is that 3 of the 5 members have not yet been to SWAT basic training, meaning they have been on the team for less than a year (including Dana). We are so proud of you!!!
Another special event for Dana's career was the Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Parade and ceremony this
last Saturday. We are so proud of the work Police officers do each day and I was so happy they do something to honor those who have fallen in the line of duty. Officers and their families came from Canada and all over Montana. There have been two officer deaths in the past year in the state of Montana. It was a beautiful ceremony.
Dana was dressed in is formal uniform (completely handsome!) and was honored in carrying the United States Flag at the head of the Parade and participated in the posting of the colors at the ceremony after the parade. Enjoy the photo and please see others in the photo album to the right by clicking on the picture labeled MAY 2007.
Also this last week... Dana finally got up in the air!! YIPPEE!!! He spent about 3 hours total with an instructor on the ground and in the air. He said it was so great and that he's very excited about flying again! He has one more check out this next week, then he'll be back in business! I CAN NOT WAIT to go up again with my pilot man. (Side note: for those concerned few, please know that Dana is Mr. Safety with a capital "S").
Ro is a happy sort of boy! That's all there really is to say, other than he is certainly cute as can be! He keeps us all laughing with his contant grin and contagious laughter. He is just about to crawl, as I've been saying now for about 6 weeks...but really is on the move now. The square footage he's able to cover has exponentially increased in the last day or so. He does a great bear crawl and now can get himself from laying to sitting so that gets him to new places, too.
Our little Amelia is becoming quite the little fish! She is really enjoying gymnastics but has a constant smile on her face when she is in the swimming pool. We've always tried to get her in a pool regularly but this is the first time she's had "real" swim lessons with an instructor. She is doing just great!
Here Amelia and Dana are working on our little pumkin! Amelia didn't think to much of the pumpkin seeds and guts so I took care of that for them. They had fun discussing the face and what should go where and what the pumpkin was thinking about.
Here are a few photos of Amelia at age 3 and Ro at 2.5 months. They turned out great!! Amelia really had a great time being the subject of the photo shoot, she was really hamming it up! Robert was a little sleepy, but Joni still managed to get some great photos of him, too!!! We love our children!!! 
It was such a blessing that Nana McNeil came to visit us while Dana was at his training at the first part of the month!!! We had such a wonderful time! I know that Amelia, Ro and I would have made it just fine, however, Nana helped make it SOOOO fun and completely enjoyable and stress free! Each day we had different adventures ranging from Dance Class, Music Class, Library Storytime, walks to the park, trips to go shopping, and playing out in the back yard. I was personally afforded many special luxuries from her visit... each morning Amelia bypassed my bedroom door to go straight to snuggle with Nana, allowing a few extra zzzz's. I was also able to make it out on a dinner date with my dear friend Shelly. We were gone for about 1 1/2 hours and enjoyed some adult conversation, catching up and some good food. We also enjoyed some good movies during the evening times after Amelia had peacefully been put to bed by Nana or me, while the other held Baby Robert. Normally I am balancing Robert and Amelia at bedtime, when Dana is at work, so it was a treat to get to read and snuggle with just Amelia at bedtime. Nana just jumped right in and took care of business, whether it was playing dressup, picking flowers, playing in the pool, bathtime, storytime, or cleanup time. We miss you already, Mom and can't wait until we can get together again soon! Thanks so much for everything!!!!
We can't believe it or stand it that our Amelia is already 3 years old. It seems just like yesterday that she was Ro's age. Soon we'll be saying that about our sweet little boy, too! We had a great celebration for her special day. Famliy came from Polson, Butte and around Bozeman to join her party. She wanted Ponies as her theme and Aunt Pam couldn't let her down as for the cake and her adorable hat! Nana and Pops also found her some sassy black and red cowgirl boots that couldn't have been more perfect!!! She really is turning into a charming, smart, loving, kind, spicy and passionate little girl. We love her to pieces!!! What a blessing she is to our family!!!
Dana's family came to join us to celebrate Amelia's Birthday and Uncle Ryan's puppy, Tigger, joined them. Amelia could not keep away from her. Isn't Tigger just adorable?? Well, having a dog more Amelia's size was a huge treat for her... she can pick her up and carry her. Amelia would chase her around. It is a good thing that Tigger is so tolerant...when she'd had enough Tigger would seek out the protection of her master. Amelia adores Skyler, however, all she can do with him is push him around and maybe try to drag him somewhere if he has his collar on, but with Tigger, she had complete control... so cute!!!
are nice and flat that Amelia really enjoys and I can handle as I get back to my work out routine. Here are some pictures of one of our walks at Peet's hill... Amelia was such a trooper... she was a bit cold as she wanted to wear a skirt that day. Dana tried to talk her into pants, but she brought out one of her favorite books "Do Princesses Really Kiss Frogs?" and argued that the little girl in there wears a skirt on her hike so Amelia can too. We couldn't argue with that...so anyway, point is she didn't complain at all and really enjoyed the time out doors. She has her backpack filled with a camera and a few toys...the essentials :) The frog backpack was made by my Aunt Pam many years ago when I was about Amelia's age. 
