Ski trip to Big Sky

When in Montana, especially in the middle of a cold snowy winter, do as the Montanans do - take your family skiing.

There are 3 ski resorts within a short drive of Billings, so it's definitely the thing to do.

We had a gift card to Big Sky, the biggest and best one, and splurged on a nice weekend away for my birthday.

We all enrolled in ski school for the morning, then had the afternoon free. Scarlett and Hadley spent the day at the daycare...which was superb.

 

Some pics from the girls' lessons

 

 

 

They both did really well that morning, they just need to learn to stop themselves better and they're ready for the big hills. Lydia mastered the magic carpet lift and went down that hill on her own all afternoon.

 

 

Some pics from my turn on the slopes. It was so peaceful and so beautiful. We live in an awesome place. I'm definitely not as fast as Josh yet. I still do a lot of snowplowing and really sharp turns to slow myself down. Josh, however, thought he was ready to tackle the bigger hills...and took a few humbling spills.

We'll get there though. For our first time on skiis, it was pretty fun. We're all anxious to go back.

   

 

 

 After I got Scarlett out of daycare, I took the girls to the tubing park. They were so thrilled, even though it was fast, and the guys were giving us a big spin as we went down. At first Scarlett and I went tandem, but after 2 runs she wanted to go on her own, and race me. We had the terrain to ourselves for a whole hour.

 

Dad missed out on the tubing adventure to look after Hadley. Hadley had a rough weekend. She had been running a low grade fever and had no appetite. The daycare staff were so helpful and just cuddled with her and put her down for a 2 hour nap that morning. We spent the evening taking turns comforting Hadley. It wasn't until Monday that we learned she'd been suffering with a double ear infection. She was such a trooper though - she never cried, she was just lethargic.

Scarlett brought along her friend "Beebo" from preschool. She had to document her adventures with Beebo for her class. He had a great time at Big Sky too!

Disney LIVE comes to Billings

When we heard that Disney was doing a show in Billings, and for one day only, we were quick to buy tickets. They were pricey...but how often does something like this come to Billings?

We took the whole family and got great seats. It was fun to be up close to everything...but so loud! It didn't bother Hadley, who somehow managed to nap through the second half.

 

It was a great performance that followed the same format as the Disney on Ice productions. Mickey and friends MC the show, and then 3 Disney Classics are featured, in this case - Alladin, The Little Mermaid, and Toy Story.

The music was all pre-recorded, much like Disney on Ice. Their talent wasn't singing, in this case it was dancing. They even did a couple of numbers that required audience members to dance along. 

 

 A lot of talent, a great production, and a fun afternoon as a family.

Scarlett's sleep ritual

Scarlett can ONLY fall asleep if she has her Dora blankie between her legs and her booty in the air. It is the cutest. thing. ever.

If she's had a big day, and starts "wrestling" her Dora blankie, we know she's about to knock out, and we never know where we'll find her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scarlett, you make us laugh every day. This is for you. One day you are going to look back at these and laugh with us.

No more swagger

It is with a heavy heart that I say farewell to my best friend,

the original Swagger Wagon. The Sienna SE.

It's not my fault really. It's Josh's fault, it's Montana's fault,....it's just that with Josh working in North Dakota during the week, I couldn't be left alone at home without a 4wd. I thought I could get by, but this winter has beat me down. It led to our breakup.

I now drive a Suburban, but she just can't replace you. She's tough alright, but that's about it.

Only a mom understands the magic of the minivan.

It's the sliding doors, it's the built-in window shades, it's the ability to control everything from the temperatures to the lights and even all the doors from the driver's seat. It's approaching your car after shopping and seeing both sliding doors open for you as your kids pile in. It's the front airbag that turns off if it senses a child in the front seat. It's the 14 cupholders. It's watching your children let themselves in and out of the car on their own, without ever bumping another car. It's the extra safety features. It's getting the baby carrier in & out with ease, in the tightest parking space. It's the gas mileage. It's the storage space. Oh the space. It has as much space as the suburban...it's just cleverly disguised.

Of course what originally attracted me to you was your swagger. The sporty trim, the 19" wheels, the V6 engine and the great sound system. I never saw myself as a minivan owner, after all my last two cars were a LandRover and a Tahoe. But you won me over, and I would recommend you to anyone.

 

Farewell Swagger Wagon. It's been real.

 

 

 

TEN

January 3, 2004

 

 

Here's what I know: I can live in the desert of west Texas, a remote village in Scotland, or the frozen tundra of Montana...and I'm happy. He's all I need.

 

Ironwood hill

There is a great hill for sledding at the entrance to our neighborhood, Ironwood. It was pretty busy the week after Christmas and was so much fun.

 

Fortunately almost everyone in Montana has a fourwheeler. Our neighbor was there giving lifts to the girls up the mountain :)

 

 

 

 

Scarlett was a joy to watch. She was fearless, and going so fast down the hill!

I was so proud of her for not crying when she crashed or fell off her sled. She just dusted herself off and waited for the ride back up the hill. Love it!

Christmas morning 2013

How much I love these girls.

Christmas morning was perfect. The girls woke up about 6, and waited patiently while mom and dad got ready and came downstairs to escort them up to the living room, where "Santa's sleigh had tipped over!"

They are at the age where they are overly excited about every gift, and excited for their sisters and their gifts too. It was a Christmas of American Girl, snow gear, My Little Pony, and Disney Dress-ups. We love that these girls take ALL DAY to get through the presents, because they want to open and play with each one before they pick another one under the tree. The last presents weren't opened until lunchtime. Then our house was a beautiful mess..

 For most of the day Doc McStuffins, Belle, and Elsa (from Frozen) spent  time playing in their new teepee, racing their RC cars, and riding Scarlett's 4-wheeler. Then at night we all went to the basement and competed in Just Dance 2014 on the Wii. Lydia was always the victor. And the next few days were just some of the same. Just our family, our mess, and lots of fun.

 

Merry Christmas 2013!

A crazy busy December

 December was a blur. It's my favorite month of the year, but it is so busy...especially when you are a mom.

 

To start off, Scarlett's preschool did a cooking class and invited parents over for lunch. We had homemade pizzas and fruit salad. Scarlett piled on the cheese!

 

Our church had a Christmas party and a wonderful program "The Forgotten Carols". The party was an ugly sweater party, so everyone was dressed pretty crazy.

 

Lydia's school had a Christmas program and each grade performed 3 musical numbers. I didn't get any great pics to share, but I remember her and her best friend Sari were front and center! Claire's school didn't have a Christmas program, but her Kindergarten teacher put together a show just for her class. They performed at least 10 songs! All the parents were amazed at how well these kids learned the songs.

 

 

As Christmas got closer, it was time to make treats in the kitchen. We made salsas for some and cookies for others.

I wish we had time to do more, but unfortunately a great loss occurred in our family and Josh & I were travelling to Kansas for Debbie. My mom was kind enough to fly up to Billings to look after the kids for their last few days of school. She went to Scarlett's Christmas party and Lydia's Christmas party. I wish I could have been there, but I'm so glad they at least had grandma there.

 

 

 

And when grandma's here, that means trips to McDonald's.

 

 

Josh and I were back in town just before Christmas Eve, and our dear friends the Thomas's invited us over. We had a lovely dinner, then dressed up and acted out the Nativity story - complete with stable animals :)

 

This was a month to remind us how blessed we are to have good friends and good family to help us through difficult times, and to reflect on the greatest gift - that of our Savior Jesus Christ and His great Plan of Salvation.