Our Holidays Part 4

After our time in Montana ended and Shane had to return to work, the kids and I continued on down through Idaho to my parents place.  It worked out for us to stay with them while Shane did some demolition on our house.  We are in the process of remodeling our bathrooms (more on that later) and it works out nicely for the kids to be out of the way.  So, we try to just be gone when anything major needs to be done.  This way Shane can work without kids taking his tools, and without trying to be quiet while they sleep.

Works for us!  He remodels, and we play!  Hee Hee!

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We were successful at getting a picture of all of the Miller Grandkids while we were home! Whew!

Top Row: Weston 4, Kenzi 2

Middle Row: Kalia 3, Kamea 5, Korbin 8

Bottom row: Jaxson 14.5 months, Kinley 19 months

Weston turned 4 and we were so excited to be at his birthday party!

 Glow stick glasses

 And crazy newlyweds!

 Julie was so nice and had a little gift for the kids to open.  Kinley thought he needed to help Kalia open hers with a pair of pliers!

 This boy loves tools!

 Balloons all around!

 This is just a cute picture I snapped of the kids while I was setting up to take their picture.

 Out in the snow again!

 Snow babies!

 And snow angels!

 Looks pretty good

 Eating ice cream cones.  Wow! What a treat!

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This is how you make cookies with grandma.

 Make the dough.

 Watch the food coloring mix into the frosting

 Lick the beaters.

 Wash the dishes while the cookies bake and cool.

Decorate.

 With lots of sprinkles!

 And thoroughly ENJOY!!!!!

Thanks grandma for making sugar cookies for us!

 The last couple of weeks have been filled to the brim with the love and happiness!  Thanks to everyone for making this holiday season such a wonderful time!  We can't wait to see you all again!

Our Holidays Part III

After spending a week in Northeast Montana, we hit the road again.

Our destination...Big Sky, Montana!

We arrived in the late evening with news from the management company that the power had been out all afternoon. (and not because of a storm but because there were too many people in the area and the transformers blew! Or so they thought...who knows what really went wrong!) They assured us it would be back on soon.  Hahaha!!! The temperature outside was only 4 degrees and all we had to keep us warm was a small fire place.  Thank goodness for that, but really, the only warm it gave was right in front of it. After a most frigid and sleepless night we were packing our bags to get out of there, when THE LIGHTS CAME ON. 14 hours after we arrived!

It was a cold beginning, but we decided to stay.  We rang in the New Year and had a FABULOUS time!

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I can't remember which river this is... but I had to stop and get a picture.  It was just too pretty.

One night it was snowing and there was no wind.  I have fond memories of playing in the snow after dark (when there was no wind).  It just seems so peaceful and quiet. So, I suited the kids up and took them outside to catch snowflakes on their tongues and hands.

Kalia had a blast!

Kinley and Shane at the Big Sky ski lodge.

Grandma helping Kinley get around.

This was our first attempt to get Kalia skiing.  Kara talked to Kalia about it for a month before we went and she was so excited to go.  But... as you can tell by the picture, moments after we hooked her into her skis, she was petrified!  Kara and Adam in the background, are getting a good laugh!

After much talk, help, and bribing...she was on her way!

Adam and Kara were a big help in Kalia's success!

There is one proud girl and Daddy!

I wish I had an action shot of her going down with no help...but I was too excited and cheering her on.  Once she had a couple successful runs, she was done.  It was short lived...but a good start.  And she says she is ready to go again!

Grandpa and Grandma helped entertain and feed Kinley while Kalia was, "SHREDDING THE SLOPES!"

It felt good to get a couple runs in myself. I haven't gone since 2010.  Gracious!  I guess that's what having a couple of kids will do to you. 

*The view from the top of the first lift.*

My snowboarding buddy.

He traded his board shorts for board pants this New Year.  Glad you could join us Jed!

Adam and Kara

Back at the condo after a day of boarding, Kinley joined uncle Jed in a little relax and unwind time!

The last couple of times we've been to Big Sky we have seen these horses.  They are massive, and beautiful! We had an opportunity to see them again.  

 Maybe someday we'll get to go on the sleigh ride.

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Boy, that first night was bitter cold.  But, we are so glad it worked out to continue our time in Big Sky.  We had a wonderful time, but it went by way to fast. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Here's to a year of wonderful and successful adventures!

Our Holidays Part II

Baby it's cold outside!!

 But...that didn't stop us
from playing out in it!
Warning...lots of snow pictures!

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Kalia got the book The Tomten for Christmas.  So, she was anxious to get outside and search for Tomten tracks.  We found some amongst the sparkling snow.

 Kinley will grab ahold of anyone's hand and lead them somewhere.  And with his tight grip, you don't really have any chance of getting away.  So, it looks like grandpa got roped into going and seeing the dogs with Kinley.

 Giving Drifter a talk'n to!

 Chill'n and Riding.
This time Grandpa took Kinely's hand, and set him on the snowmobile.
Oh, What fun!

 Daddy and Kalia coming in from feeding the cows.

If we ever stopped pulling Kalia on the sled, Dakota would run over and lay on top of her.  Not sure if she wanted a ride or just a hug!

Weeeee, this is fun!

Ahh...Beautiful!

The kids feeding the horses some treats!

 I love this one of Kinley trying so hard to look up at the horse.

 Sweet Kalia

 Yeah, I can help you shovel!

 Anyone who will take me to a tractor is my BEST friend!

 These two became quick friends!

Whew!  After so many days of playing in the snow, we settled into Grandpa and Grandma's warm cozy house with friends and family.

And watched a beautiful sunset!