Get Aways

Surviving a long winter in the northern climates is made much easier by some kind of get away to a warm locale. Both Nate and I had the opportunity to escape the snow in the months of February and March. While he headed far south to the Bahamas to meet his old friends, Dick and Linda Colville in late February, I was able to get a weekend with my college friends in Phoenix the first weekend of March.

Getting away is necessary...without trips like these, one actually might do something crazy like attempt the elaborate hairstyle a princess-obsessed daughter demands. See below:

Of course, Hemmie wasn't included. When the weather turns really cold, he is forced to stay inside more than he'd like. Can you see the "stir crazy" on his face?
I'm sure the fact that he was a member of an entire collection of stuffed animal tea party doesn't have anything to do with it either. (see picture below) Nate's mom came to keep me company while he was gone--so nice for both Claire and I. We had some mini crises to work through--a house showing, -25 degree weather, and a furnace that stopped working one night--but overall a great visit.

Meanwhile, in the Bahamas, Nate and the Colvilles were fishing for bonefish off Stanley Cay. The weather and water were beautiful!

Off the beach of one cay there are swimming pigs who come beg for food scraps from the visitors in boats. Very strange sight.
They enjoyed gorgeous sunsets on the veranda overlooking the water.
Nate's always happy to have a successful fishing day!
Of course, I didn't take many pictures on our trip (and Sara actually took this one). After coming from all over the country--Jane from Denver, Elisabeth from Arkansas, Sara from Chicago, and me from Montana--we were too busy enjoying the time relaxing by the pool, talking, drinking a few margaritas, and being concerned only about our own needs and desires for a weekend. Since we had lots of photos sent by the dads and grandmas to let us know the kids were just fine without us, we could lounge enjoying the warm desert sun! It's hard to believe we all met freshman year in the Rooks Dormitory at Calvin College. How many years ago was that?? We look the same right?

Back to routine now...another possible two months of winterish weather for us here...though there will be a few warm days thrown into the mix now and again to keep us happy. At least I hope.

Long Overdue

January and February just don't seem to hold much for blog-worthy moments. January is mostly consumed with finals and starting a new semester at school, so an intense work month. Nate ended up working a few weekends in January too. Also, we are in the dead of winter here, which means holing up at times during -20 temps or cold, blustery days. We hold steady to the routine of school/daycare, swim lessons, a few playdates and get togethers with friends, and find little things to breathe a little fresh air: homemade salsa and fish tacos for the Super Bowl, a happy hour with rum and tonics, attending a few Three Forks basketball games, and, for the last few weekends, ski trips around Southwest Montana.

We are lucky to live in a central location that allows us to ski a variety of mountain ranges all within an hour to an hour and a half. In the photo below, we were trying out a new set of trails in the Big Belt Mountains to the northeast of our house. Claire received some handmedown skis and is starting to get coordinated enough to move along without holding our hands. After skiing this trail, we stopped at the hot springs in White Sulpher Springs for a soak where Claire showed off some of her progress from swim lessons.

The next weekend we headed to one of our favorite spots, Mount Haggin; these trails are southwest of our house, outside the mining town of Anaconda. Since Claire fell asleep in the backpack, we were able to complete the 10 K loop. The Soup Shack, located across the road from the trail head, helps one recover after a long ski with amazing homemade soup, bread, and desserts.

Yesterday we heading southeast into the Gallatin Canyon to ski just outside Yellowstone National Park up a trail called Teepee Creek. The weather was actually quite Spring-like, but there's lots of snow and great open views on this trail.

Christmas in MA and NH

We had a wonderful week-long trip to the East to spend Christmas with Nate's family. Unfortunately, I got these pictures all in order backwards! So starting with the end...

The big storm on the day after Christmas allowed us to enjoy great snow for snowshoeing and skiing each day we were in NH through the beautiful woods.

Breakfasts and many wonderful dinners were shared at the big table.

After leaving New Hampshire, back at Nema's, everyone zoning out in front of a movie.

Part II

Christmas morning at Nema's; we enjoyed opening stockings in front of the fire.

Grandpa Charlie came by for dinner later Christmas day.

On the day after Christmas, we all headed to New Hampshire. Claire and Julia showing off their new outfits from Grandpa Charlie.

They also received matching PJs for themselves and their dolls from Tia.

Part III

On Christmas Eve, we went to a Santa's village in Northampton. It was beautiful and a great way to get back into the Christmas spirit after traveling the day before.

Group photo op with Santa.

Nate and Claire made sure to get a note, cookies, and a snack for the reindeer out on Christmas Eve.

Just what Claire asked Santa for: a little white dog that barks and has a leash!

Before Christmas Visit with Grandma and Grandpa

It's January 2nd, and on my to-do list for today is getting caught up on the blog and photos from the 2nd half of December which was spent celebrating the holdiays with family. My parents arrived December 16 for a week-long visit, including being here for my birthday, which always makes me happy : ) Nate and I were able to get away for a night to the 320 Ranch in the Gallatin Canyon and ski at Moonlight Basin the next day, though it was frigid and quite gusty on the slopes. Grandma and Grandpa explored the Museum of the Rockies with Claire, especially enjoying their new children's room based on Yellowstone National Park.

We had enough snow to sled out back, and Grandma even went down with Claire.

We celebrated an early Christmas, and Grandpa got a fresh, new Calvin hat!

Claire was her animated self, expressing great job over all the gifts.

Winter Has Arrived

Since I last blogged:

1. Nate shot a nice buck in Eastern Montana--another one for the wall. (He didn't buy my comment that it looked close to one we already had mounted in the den.)

2. Winter arrived in full force, with snow and freezing temperatures before Thanksgiving. It hasn't really changed much--though warming to the 30s some days. Notice Claire is completely bundled, and somehow still managed to get a crown on her head!
3. Three Forks Christmas Stroll. Santa was late arriving to the Sacajawea Hotel, so we went and watched a magic show across the street at the bank. When we returned, there was a loosely organized line waiting for a turn on Santa's lap. I turned to talk to a friend, and when I looked again, Claire had noticed a free spot on Santa's lap and ran right up to him an hopped on. I could either (a) make a scene and remove her since she totally budged the line or (b) quick take a picture, thank my lucky stars we didn't have to wait anymore, and leave ignoring the dirty looks from all the other parents. Guess which we chose?
4. Christmas tree is up. Claire had fun unwrapping all the ornaments, many from my own childhood, and some that are starting her own collection.
5. Is she cute or what? I had to try to get a picture her dressed from head to toe in pink, including rosy cheeks against the white, winter landscape.