Winter Fun

In February some friends of ours invited us up to their cabin with them for some snow fun! We drove up to Kilgore then from there we had to take snow machines up into the hills to the cabin. Because of my back I couldn't ride a snowmobile. :(

So I rode up in the snow cat with all the supplies.

V. and the other girls all got along great! They always do! We might not see them for a few months but when we get together the girls pick up right where they left off!

 Steve and V. had fun playing in the snow! The snow was so deep it was up past Steve's knees! He buried V. in the snow in this picture.

 Playing around!

 V. and our friends' girls. They had so much fun!

 Steve and V. on the snowmobile.

I was pretty bummed that I couldn't go for a ride. But I sat by the fire and read and still enjoyed myself.
Thanks to Nic and Jenna for inviting us along! It was fun and we hope to do it again next year! {Maybe I'll be able to "play" next time!}

Jackson/YellowStone October 2012

Last October we took our annual trip to Jackson and Yellowstone. Steve's brother Mike came with us. I think he said he'd only been once before.
We went up to Jackson and stayed the night. Then the next morning we drove up to Yellowstone and came home later that night. As always, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!
The year before there was snow on the ground. This time there was no snow but it still was very cold!

Here we are in Jackson Hole!

 Looking at Lewis Falls.

 Waiting for Old Faithful to go off!

 Tuckered out.

Steve's brother Mike really enjoyed the trip. And he was a good sport to play knock-knock jokes with V. and let her follow him around. She loves that he calls her kiddo!
I think we all decided we'd like to go back in the Spring when the bears are out. So maybe in a couple months I'll be posting about another trip!

The North Pole Express

In December we did our annual North Pole Express trip. This year we invited Steve's nephew to go with us as well as my parents and me sister and her family. It was alot of fun!

Here's a picture of us waiting to board~

 V. and some of her cousins~

 Steve on the train and V. looking out the window. The scenery is always so beautiful!~

 Me on the train~

 V. and her cousin at the North Pole having fun while waiting to see Santa~

 Steve and I looking silly~

 V. and her cousins with Santa~

 My two cuties~

 Two weirdos~

 Santa and Mrs. Claus on the train ride home. They took time to visit with each child~

As always, this was a fun trip with lots of memories! We can't wait to go again next Christmas!

Our weekend in Jackson and Yellowstone

This last weekend we went on a trip to see the beautiful Fall colors and some animals in Jackson.

This year was way different than our trip last year. We only went one week later than we did last year, but it was way colder!

We also drove thru the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.

It was V.'s first time to either of these Parks!

{These photos aren't really in any order}

  We saw a few elk.

We saw a ton of bison/buffalo. There was a whole herd that was walking right by us and then crossed the road. They stopped traffic of course while they were crossing. V. thought it was pretty cool!  Though some of the people were so stupid and getting too close for pictures. Do they not realize that within 30 seconds an animal can decide to charge you and you won't have time to get out of the way?

V.'s first time seeing Old Faithful.

She was way impressed!

  Old Faithful.
                                                   
  Family photo at Old Faithful.

Shortly after we got into Yellowstone, there was a grizzly bear walking along the side of the road about 10-15 yards from us. I've never seen a bear outside of the zoo before!

  Family photo at Lewis Falls. V. was in a grouchy mood.

     Beautiful Fall colors!

In the Grand Teton National Park. The top of the Tetons were covered in some low laying clouds.

We ran into some friends at Jackson. They offered to take our photo for us. But again, V, was grouchy because of .....a hurt finger?

  Snow along with the Fall colors!

   At Palisades.

   Such a cutie!

  Some more Fall colors....

And some more snow....

All in all it was a very fun weekend and we loved the scenery, the animals, and yes, even the snow!

Field trip to the farm

The first Thursday in May, V.'s Pre-school class had a field trip to a local farm.

They went on a horse drawn wagon ride~

Got to hold all sorts of eggs~

And just hang out and look at all the animals~

I have loved being able to help with V's field trips in school.

It is so nice to be able to watch how she socializes with the others kids and her teacher.

I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to volunteer in her school!

Our Trip to see Santa

This last weekend we went to Boise. While there we went up to Horseshoe Bend and rode the Polar Express up to the North Pole to see Santa! It was a ton of fun!This is our 4th year doing this! We had hot cocoa and cookies and milk. We sang Christmas carols and visited with Mrs. Clause on the train. We saw Santa at the North Pole and then walked around a bit and warmed ourselves by a fire they had going. Then we got back on the train to head back home and visited with Mrs. Clause again. Overall, it was a very fun trip!
Here are some photos from our trip~