Red Lodge

We spent a weekend in Red Lodge in mid-January.  Joe & the girls skied in the morning.  Jacob and I had fun at a great playground covered in snow!

Both girls are becoming great skiers.  I can hardly keep up with them, especially on my tele skis.  I may have to go back to alpine next year so I can go a little faster.  Gabi loves the mogels and has done several black diamond runs this year.

We did get Jacob up on skis in the afternoon.  He did great!  Red Lodge has a great bunny hill and magic carpet that makes learning a little easier.

Winter Fun

Here are some pictures from December and January.  These kiddos sure keep us busy, but we enjoy every minute we get to spend with them.

The Third Grade class did a Pirate Christmas program.  It was really cute.

Both girls are taking piano lessons this year and did such a great job at their Christmas Recital.  This is their teacher.  Yes, they have Cowboy tattoos on their cheeks...we had just returned from a game in Laramie...it was either the tattoo or a really big red spot on their cheek from lots of scrubbing.  :)

Jacob is such a snuggle bug...and such a mommy's boy.  :)

Both Gabi and Maya are taking gymnastics this year.  I can't believe how much strength they have built and how much they have improved over the year.

Maya

Jacob loves Rocky.  Rocky loves Jacob...most of the time.

Both girls sang in the choir during the Children's Christmas Mass at church. 

Maya has lots of friends who love to have playdates with American Girl Dolls.  :)

A picture Gabi's teacher sent me from when she had recess duty.  So glad my girls have solid friendships.

Gabi was nominated for Student of the Month for the key of "Committment."  She works very hard in school and is committed to helping others and being a great friend to all.

We had a New Year's Eve party.  These four had quite the time playing together inside...

...and sledding together outside...

Christmas

My Mom & Dad stayed at our house with our kids while we were in San Diego.  It worked out great, especially since they were able to stay through Christmas!

After church

Maya got her guitar

We made Jacob a mat of the ranch, so that he can play with all of his trucks and tractors

My brother got Jacob a crane truck.  It is awesome and he loves it.

Gabi found Maya a watch set when she was shopping at the Christmas Kid's Shoppe

Maya gave Gabi a cute puupy

Maya gave Jacob a new rocking horse.

Jacob received a new scotch cap!

Joe trying his new drill out on Gabi!

Maya was pretty pumped about the new electric toothbrush Santa brought her

We had a huge blizzard hit on Christmas Day.  We had big plans for a progressive dinner at everyone's houses, but that idea was squashed by the snow.  We all just brought our food to Joyce's house and hung out there all day.  Luckily, the tractor led the way for us to get home at the end of the day.  I didn't get many pictures, but we had a great time eating lots of food, playing dominoes, and enjoying each other's company.

new personalized towels from Papa Don and Grandma Phyllis

These pictures are a little out of order...we made Christmas cookies before we left for San Diego.  The kids decorated them with Grammy Mary while we were gone.

A picture Maya's teacher sent me from her Christmas party at school.  

We also had an ornament exchange before Christmas:

Jacob game Papa Don a red tractor

Maya gave Milan an ornament with black kitties on it!

Gabi got a leg lamp ornament from A Christmas Story from Papa Gary...there is a long story behind this one!  We went to see the play over Thanksgiving and Gabi thinks the leg lamp is just "ridiculous". 

Bowl Game Time!

Wyoming was selected to play in the Poinsettia Bowl against BYU in San Diego.  We jumped at the opportunity to get some warmth and sunshine and to see UW  play their old rivals again!  Dave & Joyce were able to go with us and we had a great time!

We saw the Battle of the Bands at the Midway Museum.  

Wyoming may not have won the game, but they definitely won the tailgate party!!

Still happy after 40 minutes in the beer line!

The game was a lot of fun!  It rained quite a bit, but we were under an overhang, so stayed pretty dry.