Morning at the Park

Getting our coats zipped up. It was beautiful, but a bit chilly.

What a handsome man!

"Look at me mommy!"

Do not try this at home...

Eskimo kisses.

David you have touched so many lives, we will miss you!

David Tracey Strong
(October 29, 1965 - February 21, 2011)

David and his youngest son, and fishing buddy, Bridger, were tragically taken from this earth and welcomed into Heaven’s glory on Monday, February 21, 2011. David spent a perfect weekend of ice fishing with his three sons, brother, and nephew.

David was the second child of LeeRoy and Terrell Strong. He was a challenging, yet charming son who effortlessly drew attention with his smile and antics. David spent his childhood with his siblings in Helena and Stevensville where he made life-long friends and memories. Immediately after graduating from Stevensville High School in 1984, David enlisted in the U.S. Navy. There, he traveled the world and participated in many world changing events. His favorite place in his many travels was Rota, Spain. He graduated college from the University of Montana in Dillon with an education degree, and later went on to earn two Masters Degrees. After many years of teaching, David took a position in higher education with the Office of Public Instruction with the State of Montana. In this capacity, he took a lead role in ensuring post-secondary education opportunities for Military veterans. David was currently working with the Helena Public Schools in a unique position charged with decreasing drop-out rates and facilitating college education for local students. David spent his career serving both youth and Military veterans.

David retired from the military in 2007 after serving 23 devoted years, retiring as a Petty Officer First Class from the U.S. Navy.

David’s most important and satisfying job in life was being a husband to his soul mate and wife, Parrish, and being an outstanding father. As an avid outdoorsman, mountains and lakes were his sanctuary. It was a very rare weekend that David wasn’t out on the lake fishing or hunting with his boys. This was a gift for all of us to enjoy as we watched David mold his boys into strong, active young men. He started hunting early in life with his Grandpa Tony near the Crazy Mountains and continued this tradition with his sons beginning at a very young age. Some of his fondest memories were fishing with his brothers during the summer at Grandpa Tony’s place along the Clark Fork River. His favorite movie was A River Runs Through It.

David was a proud Norwegian son who enjoyed lutefisk and potato sausage every Christmas with his family. He had a lot of natural talent and a passion for educating and shaping young people. He was funny, witty, and smart. Among David’s many hobbies, he especially enjoyed attending bible study at Jim Weber’s on Thursday nights, spending time with his family, and woodworking. He was patriotic and proud to have served his country. He was looking forward to his son David’s wedding in June.

“Though nothing can bring back the hour of Splendor in the grass or the glory of the flower; We will grieve not; rather find strength in what remains behind; In the primal sympathy, which having been must ever be…” ~William Wordsworth

David leaves behind his devoted wife Parrish; sons and best friends, David Strong II (Whitney Armstrong) of Ellensburg, WA, Kyle Strong of Helena, and Caleb MacLean of Helena; daughter, Emily MacLean of Helena; parents, Terrell Strong of Missoula and LeeRoy Strong of Avon; brothers and sister, Roy and Sherry Strong of Billings, Lisa and Chip Weinrich of Spokane, WA, and Kevin and Heather Strong of Boise, ID; he also leaves behind numbers nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and hunting partners.

Sweet Bridger, you will always be missed!

Bridger Daniel Strong
(June 9, 2001 - February 21, 2011)

Our miracle boy, along with his dad, was unexpectedly taken from this earth to spend eternity in Heaven.

Bridger made his way into this world nine weeks early, weighing only 3 lbs, 3 oz., and being delivered in Missoula. Although he came into this world a little early, he has no medical problems and he demonstrated the strength we all knew he had.

Bridger was raised in Helena and was currently in fourth grade at Jim Darcy Elementary. He attended First Assembly of God Church.

Bridger was silly and playful, making everyone around him smile and laugh whenever possible. He was a bright light to our family that will shine forever.

Bridger loved fishing and hunting with his dad, brothers, and uncles. Bridger was excited to start Small Fry Football next year, something he has been practicing for all of his young life.

Bridger particularly liked his mom’s special chocolate chip pancakes, and refused anyone else’s. He was the household cookie monster and there was no place safe to hide them. Not a day would go by without needing beef jerky and pepper sticks in the house for Bridger.

Bridger loved spending time with family and friends. His favorite movies were Top Gun, Smokey and The Bandit, and Monsters, Inc. Bridger also loved playing a mean game of family BINGO, usually hoarding the good prizes.

Bridger will be greatly missed and he will live forever in our hearts. He has, by example, encouraged us all to tell the people we care about most that we love them. He always gave lots of hugs and smiles.

Bridger is survived by his mom, Pamela Hopcroft Hudyma; his brothers, David Strong II (Whitney Armstrong)of Ellensburg, WA; Kyle Strong of Helena; his step-mom, Parrish Strong of Helena; step-siblings, Caleb and Emily MacLean of Helena; grandparents, Paul and Cora Hopcroft of Missoula; Terrell Strong of Missoula, LeeRoy Strong and Esther Strong of Elliston; uncles and aunts, Roy and Sherry Strong of Billings; David and Jennifer Hopcropt of Stevensville; Lisa and Chip Weinrich of Spokane, WA; Kevin and Heather Strong of Boise, ID; Patrick and Bettina Hopcropft of Stevensville; Phillip Hopcropft of Stevensville. He is also survived by numerous cousins, great uncles and aunts and many close family friends.

Tragedy...

Our family has been devastated by news that no one ever wants to hear.  Kevin's Brother David and our nephews Bridger and Kyle were in a terrible accident on Monday. 

Reprinted from the Helena News:  By ALANA LISTOE Independent Record helenair.com

Posted: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 12:00 am:
http://helenair.com/news/article_5676ceaa-3ef8-11e0-b2ba-001cc4c002e0.html

A Helena school administrator and his young son died Monday morning in a head-on car crash on Highway 200 near Mosby.


David Strong, 45, of Helena and two of his sons were on their way home from a fishing trip traveling westbound near Mosby around 10 a.m. Two commercial semi trucks were traveling eastbound when a cloud of blowing snow caused by the first semi blinded the 81-year-old driver of the second truck, causing the 1993 Freightliner to collide head-on with the Strongs’ 1997 GMC Yukon in the westbound lane, according to the Montana Highway Patrol.

Trooper Steve Downs said Strong and his 9-year-old son Bridger Strong were pronounced dead at the scene. The other passenger, Strong’s 14-year-old son Kyle Strong, was air-lifted to a Great Falls hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He was released Tuesday morning with broken ribs and bruising, Downs said.

The semi-driver refused medical attention. All parties involved were wearing seatbelts.

Bridger was a fourth-grader at Jim Darcy Elementary. Grief counselors were on hand to help with students who were struggling with the news. Staff was also available to offer support at Capital High School, where Kyle is a freshman.

Bruce Messinger, Superintendent of Helena Schools, has a long history with David Strong, working closely with him for many years in Strong’s capacity at the Office of Public Instruction. About three years ago Strong accepted a position with the Helena School District overseeing Access to Success, a program to re-engage students who have dropped out.

Messinger said Strong made major contributions and provided excellent leadership to adult, career and technical education in the district.

“He had a deep knowledge base,” Messinger said. “He was a strong advocate for lots of things, but clearly resonated with these adults that are a little disenfranchised.”

Even though he has a military background, Messinger said Strong had a gentle way with people.

“He was no less driven than you or I, but he did it in a non-threatening and persuasive way,” Messinger said.

Our Airplane Ride and a Belated Valentine's Day

As I mentioned in a previous post, we had quite a late night on our plane ride up to my parent's.  Here is Sidney looking out the window right after our plane FINALLY arrived.  She is still full of energy.

The girls enjoyed a little snack and beverage on the plane.  They thought this was the best part, of course.

Do not let this picture fool you.  It was 11:30 pm and Kendall iwa only pretending to sleep.  Sidney just looks like how she probably felt.  The girls did not fall asleep as Kevin predicted.  BUT, they did hang in there like champs. 

Did I mention that I left my brand new Nikon DSLR on the airplane?  Yes, I did.  We got about 10 minutes from the airport when I realized the error of my ways.  I had just bought the camera several days prior and had not even actually used it.  My name was nowhere to be found in the case.  Naturally, I freaked out!  My mom whipped the car around and I got on the phone with Southwest immediately.  They were able to locate the camera, BUT it had been locked in a safe and everyone had managed to go home in the 10 minutes it took me to call.  I nearly had a heart attack!  Fortunately I was able to go back the next morning and pick it up.  The lady whom I picked it up from said I was very lucky.  They have a warehouse full of laptops, cameras, cellphones and Ipods that have never been connected with the owners.  EGADS!  Who was the tired one that night? 

We were at my parent's for Valentine's Day.  The girls were a bit disappointed before we left, because they were going to miss their first Valentine's Day party.  Kendall was particularly bummed.  Her class was going to have a pajama party.  The girls had even made Valentines to pass out before I realized they were going to be gone, so we dropped off their Valentines before we left.  Their disappointment quickly passed as they realized that they would be going on the airplane (oh...and visiting family:)).  Daddy did not let us down thought.  When we got to Grandma's and opened our suitcases there was candy and cards waiting for all of us.  What a guy!  He had snuck them in somewhere between our house and the airport.  No wonder he volunteered to carry the bags out...

When the girls returned to school this week, they each had a bag full of Valentine's waiting for them.  It was good fun.  They brought them home and spread them all over the place.  I was amazed that Kendall knew who each Valentine was from.  I do not believe that she can "read" per say.  I would have to guess that she recognized the names.  Everything in their class is labeled. 

Sidney had a blast going through hers and spent most of the evening shoveling candy in her mouth quicker than I could hide it.  The little rascal!

New Memories with Old Friends

My mom's dear friend Lynda and her daughter Michell came over for a visit on Friday night.  It was so good to see them.  I had not seen Michell in about 9 years.  She has grown into such a beautiful woman!  It was so great to spend time with them.  Lynda had come over from Seattle while my mom was in the hospital, so it was good to get together under happier circumstances.

They came bearing gifts for everyone.  It was like Christmas in February.  Kendall has not let her "unicorn" out of her sight since she opened it.  She has even slept with it two nights in a row.  What is giraffe going to do?

Sidney even showered them with love.  This has been a really fun trip as Sid has been very expressive.  She is usually SO reserved, but has been quite the love bug!  This morning she told me she had to go potty.  When I took her to the bathroom, her diaper was dry and she went to the bathroom in the potty.  Woo Hoo.  We had chocolate chips all around, who cares if it was only 7:30 in the morning!

Lynda treated all of us girls to mani/pedi's.  Dad was brave enough to watch the girls for the day.  By the time we got home, he was way in charge.  Mom tried to tell him that a cup was too big for Sid to drink out of.  He replied, "I got it Karen.  I know what I'm doing."  He sure did.  He gave them lunch, took them to Dylan's basketball game, had them down for naps and even changed a whopper of a diaper!  Thank you so much Dad.  We had a wonderful time.

After our morning at the spa, mom treated us to lunch and cocktails at the Bardenay.  Are we ever spoiled?  My mom had her first martini.  Correction - she had 2 martini's, but who was counting?  I think she is hooked.  They were called Valentini's and had guava, mango, prickly pear syrup and all kinds of yummy goodness in them.  Mom was amazed at how great she felt afterward!  Watch out world, here she comes!!!

Water Park Fun

We spent the day at the Raptor Reef Water Park. We all had a blast. They keep the facility a balmy 85 degrees so I was relishing every moment.  Kendall and Hallie wasted no time hitting the slides. 

I took Sid down one of them a couple of times before she had a chance to say "All Done".  She much preferred the hot tub.  It was awesome.  The hot tub was indoor that had a tunnel to swim through to go outside.  We spent a lot of time in there.

Dylan talked me into going down the tube slide.  It was a lot of fun.  The first part was rather freaky as you speed down a pitch black tunnel.

Kendall our little rag-a-muffin ate like a horse at lunch.  Playing so hard made her hungry!

Dylan and Hallie readying themselves for the onslaught of waves in the wave pool.  Kendall was dying to go with them, but not yet.  We need to get her in swim lessons before I am ready for that to happen!

Sid did not let the fun stop her from getting her rest.  She napped in my arms for over an hour. 

We are tired now.  Ready for a night of vegging out.  When I got back to mom's I had this message from Kevin waiting on my phone.  He said "Taking a break at my water park".  Silly Man!

Grandma's Always Have the Coolest Things

We finally made it to my parent's house.  Our original flight was scheduled to leave at 8:45pm.  I thought I was pushing it on the time limit as the girls typically go to bed between 7:30 and 8.  When we got to the airport our flight was delayed by 1.5 hours.  Craziness.  I thought I was in for a very long wait.  To our luck, we met another little girl and her mommy who were feeling the same way about the situation.  The girls found a new little friend in 20 month old Olivia.  The girls shared toys, snacks and gymnastics routines.  The wait zoomed by and all was well.  I have some very cute airplane pictures to post, but I forgot my camera cord.  Those pictures will have to wait. 

As usual, the girls love going to visit their grandparent's, because they have the coolest things.  Grandma Terrell has two white little doggies that the girls terrorize and steal toys from.  Grandma Karen has dress-up clothes.  So yesterday, after getting to bed at 1am in the morning and sleeping for only a few short hours, the girls were ready to play.  Sidney found the dress-up box immediately and started strutting her stuff. 

The little Diva.

In the words of Hallie and YouTube, "Hi Du-Wan..."

I believe this was a hip-hop dance moment.  I am only deducing this by Kendall's face and the position of her arms.

After a great night of sleep last night (11 hours, thank goodness), we are off to the water slides today. 

The "Mac Daddy" of All Popcorn Makers

Well, we did it.  We finally ordered carpet for Kevin's man-cave.  We put new carpet in most of our house a couple of years ago, but we opted to hold off on carpeting the downstairs area until later.  We ordered the carpet earlier this week and will have it installed next Saturday, which brings me to the title of this post.  The day after we ordered our carpet (from RC Wiley), Kevin saw an ad in the paper that showed a popcorn maker and an Open Season 3 DVD for $10 with purchase.  Naturally, he was thrilled with the idea and had me call the salesman to see if we could get in on the deal.  Sure enough we are the proud owners of a ultra fancy popcorn maker.  With Movie Night Friday Nights, it made perfect sense.  We tested it out last Friday night and the results were a smashing success.  We made so much popcorn that I turned some of it into caramel popcorn the next day.  BONUS! 

My parents have been helping the girls perfect their table manners.  "Perfect" may not be the correct word to describe the end result, but there has certainly been remarkable improvement.  They earn stickers for each meal in which they do well.  After the sticker chart is full, they get to open a special envelope that my parents have sent in the mail.  Saturday morning the girls completed their charts.  I have to tell you that Sidney actually finished her chart the day before, but she wanted to wait until her sister was done too.  I wish I could say that they were always this kind to each other!

They tore the envelopes apart excitedly.  Each of them had a letter from grandma and papa inside along with a "credit card"  to Dutch Brothers for hot chocolates.  We just discovered Dutch Brothers "not so hot" chocolates a couple of weeks ago.  Kendall's Sunday school teacher had sent her one in the mail for her birthday with a REALLY thoughtful card.  The hot cocoa's come in a torpedo cup with a dollop of whipped cream on the end of the straw.  Sidney took so long licking her whipped cream (yes, licking) last time that I HAD TO eat it for her.  I swear it was necessary, really!

Here are the girls showing off their rewards.  Several minutes later we were plagued with requests to go for hot chocolate.  Well done ladies!

Last night Kevin and I had a date night.  We opted to go out shopping.  It was quite fun and relaxing to browse around leisurely.  We managed to put a good dent in the bank account while we were at it.  My favorite part of the evening was a stop at Applebee's for a Maple Nut Blondie Brownie.  In hindsight, I ate it so fast I am not even sure I tasted it.  As much as I tried to relish the flavor my inner dessert lover took over and it was gone before I knew it.  The girls of course got to spend an evening with their good friends.  They ran into the Nelson's house so fast, it was as if a storm had blown in.  Leaving us behind was not even a mere afterthought.  They had such a great time.  Kendall proclaimed that the Nelson's were now having a movie night Saturday night.  I said "Did they tell you that?"  Her reply, "No, but it was Saturday night and we had popcorn and watched movies."  Well, there you have it!