2026, April 20-26

Winter wants to stick around, but spring is showing all the signs that it's here to stay, from birds and flowers to high schoolers going to formal dances. 

The mated osprey pair over by Missoula College has returned, and we may see eggs and osprey chicks soon.  

Mike went to a "Potheads Paint Your Own Pot" event at the UM Makerspace on 4/20 (ba dum tiss). He chose to paint the department arms. 

Eliza made a pizza at Bridle Up Hope this week. Funny, she wouldn't eat it. Hallie had a bite and thought it tasted quite good.

Hallie and Alicia went to an open house for a therapy group that opened up in Alpine. They got some food and enjoyed some time outdoors. The ladies got to bring home succulents. Alicia thought the burger she had there was the best she has had in a while.

University of Montana is having several end-of-semester events as the spring semester winds to a close. While walking back from lunch, he and his colleagues came across this group of folk singers. Both of Mike's colleagues (who are former music teachers) lamented that not a lot of young people spend the time to get proficient at music anymore.  

We had our home inspected and tested for radon this week. The due diligence period ends April 29. Hopefully everything goes smoothly. 

Hello, Landon! Hello, Kai! Landon was tricking Kai that someone was at the door, Hallie's least favorite game. With less furniture in the house, the dog's bark is very loud.

Landon and Jocie had prom this week, complete with prom-posals. 

Administrative Assistants' Day happened this week at Hallie's school. She joined in a show of appreciation for the school secretary.  

Mike made real-life stickers of the kawaii sticker images he had made of Fergus and Kai at Makerspace. 

Now that he got new glasses from the eye doctor, Landon has decided to start wearing glasses full-time now. That's all four of us. 

Hallie also tried on glasses too. She's getting hers from an online provider. Landon was willing to give a bit of feedback.

We had some interesting weather in both Springville and Missoula. Mike got snow on Thursday and Friday, and it was chilly on Saturday and Sunday. 

On his morning walk on Saturday, he made friends with this mountain chickadee as he walked up the five-story outside stairs. 

Here's a view facing his office and the mountains (and weather) to the north. 

Lilacs are starting to bloom on the bushes on Arthur Street. Hopefully they'll remain until May 25 as we commemorate the Glorious Revolution. 

Hallie is winding down her days left working at Starbucks. As of this writing, Hallie only has one more shift at Starbucks.

Amanda saw the stickers of Fergus and Kai, and we made one of her Frankie too. 

Prom day happened on Saturday. Here's Jocie's corsage and Landon and Zeke posing before picking up their dates.

Landon said the pre-prom activities were the best part of the day. The ate dinner at Black Sheep Cafe which was kind to accommodate a party of 8.

Little Brooklyn is learning how to stand! 

Mike participated in a few activities on campus and near his apartment over the weekend. He enjoyed watching the surfers and kayakers on the Clark Fork, which is running high with runoff. He thinks the rest of the family will really appreciate walking and riding the trails down in the area once they get here. 

Eliza has been earning money working at the Double Down Ranch. We appreciate the opportunities she has to develop her skills and hope she will continue to do so once we're all up in Missoula.