Friday, January 22, 2016

Montana Winter trip

We went to Montana December 27th through January 3rd. As always, it was a great trip!

On our first full day there (Monday), the kids went skiing. 

James did a 2 hour private lesson with Mr. Jesse. This is our 4th year using Mr. Jesse. He is awesome! 
James came in for some lunch and totally scarfed down a grilled cheese sandwich and fries. 
After refueling, Seth and James hit the slopes. They did the bunny slope and then went up a green on the chair lift. 
Meanwhile, Adelyn did her first year of group lessons. Hers was from 10-3:15! We happened to get a glimpse of her with her teacher and group on the chair lift. She loved it and actually went back on Wednesday for a half day of group lessons. 
James took a cozy nap in the chair while Adelyn wrapped up her day. 


The kids loved performing their play. It made no sense to the adults, but they had fun so that's all that matters. 
On Tuesday, we went snow shoeing to the river from the house. I love this picture of Thomas and Adelyn tossing the snow
So pretty!


My girl
Seth and me
Grandma and the grandkids
The couple across the street own a RV park/motel. Randy, the owner, offered to take us sledding behind their snowmobile. James loved riding!

Adelyn got so much snow in her face when riding with Seth. She was miserable for a short bit. She somewhat warmed up (and wore my hat since hers was so wet). Poor girl....her skin is very sensitive. It was already getting red and raw from skiing and this made it even worse. 
Now she's enjoying sledding!
That's me! This was so fun!

Adelyn and James riding the snowmobile with Mr. Randy
Seth
Seth got to pull the kids for a while

On Wednesday, the kids (everyone but James) did a half day afternoon ski school. I took zero pictures.

On Thursday, we hiked to the river again. 

James, me, and Adelyn

 Family picture

The grandparents kept the kids and we enjoyed a kid free dinner at the Izzak Walton with Bert and Melissa

Cheers! After dinner, we went downstairs to the game area and the guys played a couple games of pool. I think we were home and in bed by 10:30, but it was a fun night! :)

On Friday, New Years Day, we all skied. James did another 2 hour private lesson and Seth and I skied with Adelyn. She has gotten so much better! It's really fun to ski as a family and we can't wait for James to get older and join us. We met the Durands at the Summit that afternoon and all enjoyed hot chocolate. 

Crazy kids
 Seth, Bert, Melissa, and I enjoying our *adult* hot chocolate. YUM


Gorgeous view from the summit. It's amazing to see an inversion. Thank you, God, for your beautiful scenery 

 The trail we took was a little too hard for Adelyn but she managed. We had a great time! In fact, the ski patrol was behind us making sure everyone was off the mountain for the day runs. Whoops- time to go home!

We spent Saturday around the house, packing and cleaning. We did manage to squeeze in a huckleberry milkshake from the Izaak Walton.



 Then we headed home on Sunday morning. It was -20 degrees that morning. Definitely time to get back to Georgia and see what all 2016 has in store for the Thomas family. 







Thursday, January 7, 2016

Christmas 2015

What an awesome Christmas we had! 

It started off at my parents' house the weekend before Christmas. It was a short trip (one night), but we packed in some good times. 
Gift exchange.... Adelyn opened up a DISNEY CRUISE brochure! Yes, we are going on a Disney Cruise with my parents in February! Can NOT wait!

That was (obviously) the big gift, but they still gave the kids cruise related gifts. James got a pirate ship and Adelyn got a cruise ship.

My dad opening the calendar I make each year
Seth got a variety pack of hot sauce
bowls for corn on the cob
Uncle Joe with my kiddos
On Sunday, we had extended family over for lunch. It was great to see them all!

We went home and spent the next few days with play dates, organizing the playroom, and last minute Christmas preparations

Santa came to Seth's parents' house Monday afternoon for a special visit...







On Christmas Eve, we went to the Mountain Lake Christmas Eve service. It was beautiful. We got there 10 minutes early and were seated in the very top row. I'm glad that so many people come for this special service. The kids sat with us and I think they also enjoyed it.

They always get books for their one gift they open on Christmas Eve. Adelyn got a "big girl" bible (with her name on it)
James got a Star Wars book and The Good Dinosaur on CD.

I got this awesome zip up, hooded, footed, super-soft fleece outfit. I will most likely live in it.
We prepared our annual Cornish Hen dinner
This year, the kids ate with us. In the past. we have eaten after they went to bed and had an in home date night.
 Adelyn and Seth
James and me
Christmas morning....they couldn't wait for us to say "Come on down and see what Santa brought!"

James wasn't sure what to think! He got 2 Millennium Falcon toys
Adelyn and her new Barbie house

Seth got a note from Santa saying his gift was too big to fit down the chimney, so it was left near the back deck (our sitting room has a door that leads to the back deck). He searched around and found his espresso maker that he's seriously wanted since we registered for our wedding. He is OBSESSED with making coffee drinks now. Completely obsessed.

Grandma and Grandpa stopped by to visit!

We ate monkey bread, bacon, and fruit (and of course, had lattes and whatever else Seth could create with his machine). We stayed home all day and relaxed and then headed over to Seth's grandfather's house for Christmas dinner.

After a delicious dinner, it was present time. The adults draw names but the kids get gifts from aunts and uncles. For some reason, James wanted NOTHING to do with his plasma car. He loves it now, but look at his hands and face! He was not having it. Believe me, he got in trouble for this reaction and we had discussion about what you say when you open a gift. Kids.

Adelyn, on the other hand, has nailed it. She's a tad excited about her American Girl Doll jewelry gift (while sitting on her plasma car)

 Seth's Aunt Lynn made all the women of the family aprons from his Papa's old shirt. This was such a touching gift.
Emily made a Happy Birthday Jesus cake

My people

We spent the next day celebrating Christmas with Seth's family

James opened up lots of fun gifts- lots of Star Wars things and this marshmallow shooter :)

Adelyn started taking piano over the summer and got a Star Wars piano book

She has very animated expressions when she opens gifts!

Bobby opening some gifts

Brenda opening her picture of the grandkids with Johnny Cash photoshopped in

We got Bert a book about mullets as a gag gift

James and Seth playing with James's foam light saber  

We had an awesome time celebrating our Savior's birth with our family. I can't believe Christmas is over already!