Rafting The Yellowstone River

We purchased a water proof disposable camera the day we ventured off into the waters of the Yellowstone River during a Thunder, Lightening, and Rainstorm last August. But it has taken us way too long to turn in the film. I would not call it laziness, but more of a lack of convenience to hassle with film that it has taken me this long.

Okay, whatever, I was lazy at first and then I forgot about the camera. When it resurfaced this week I turned it in and requested they put the snapshots on CD, rather than print. I was thinking digital about the old style film process and it worked like a charm.

There is something neat about the old-time feel of these prints. A cheap camera + film = nostalgic feel that I love. The photos speak for themselves, and I adore them more now than had I developed them in August. To read the story behind the day, click here.

To see the Family Fun on the Yellowstone River via disposable camera, see below:

Just because ...

If I don't record this in my blog book, then I will forget.

Look at the style my girl has put together with Christmas love given by her two amazing Aunts. And this is not even the half of her stylish wardrobe choices that she received over the holidays. She enjoys clothes, jewelry, and all things accessories (always has, and probably, always will).

When she described the attire to me on Tuesday night, I thought that perhaps she had better try it on to double check what she had brewing in her head. After all, when a Chick starts talking black leggings, knee high socks, and brown Ugg-ish style boots, you begin to question if it'll turn out the same way as envisioned.

Well, it did. And the cute bounce of her blonde-haired pony-tail added to the spunk.

She had a great Wednesday at school sporting this style and getting in and out of it twice during the day; once for Gym class where she is learning the High Jump (of all things), and a second time during her Go Time Period to play in the Volleyball Championship Tournament. Her team, named Whatz'Up'V, made it to the finals, and over the next few school days, has the privilege of trying to make it as the top 6th grade team (at her school). They won yesterday by 20 points. Round two is today ...

I'm sure her confidence in this new school outfit played a part in her positive attitude - she was having a fantastic Wednesday!

Chinese Checkers

One of the neat things about gift giving for Christmas is making gifts, and I especially enjoy receiving gifts that are handmade. This one is from my dad to my family.

Within the year of his retirement about six years ago, he was diagnosed with cancer which threw us all for a loop. We pulled together fast and determined, and supported him in what was a rather quick correction and recovery. At the time, however, it seemed like the world was spinning at a snails pace and everything was a wait process. Life could not have come to a more screeching halt than during those months.

I am not sure if it was during those recovery months if he thought long and hard about what his retirement should have looked like, or could look like. But it seems like he started woodworking a few months post recovery. He was back on board and finding purpose to his days. Tinkering, thinking, creating, using his head kind of skills. It was just what his body had ordered.

He was proficient from the start, being self-taught by reading lots. Building neat model cars, birdhouses, jewelry boxes, games, etc. - some for himself to keep, and some as gifts. His garage has grown not only cleaner, but more efficient in order to hold all of his tools, equipment, and work space.

So when we received this neat Chinese Checkers board game from him it warmed my heart. I can imagine the time it took for him to make every divot, to align it correctly, to make the board so smooth, and to make it smell so good with the polish on top.

He also made a perfect box to hold all the neat marbles that he purchased for the game.

Growing up, my family had a Chinese Checkers game with Chinese dragons boarding the sides with different characters circled about. I loved, loved, loved playing the game. Sometimes, if I didn't have an opponent, I would just play with multiple colors and do it myself, or just watch the marbles swirl around to make cool shapes.

Now I have a Chinese Checkers game for my family. The best part is that it was built with pure love and joy from MY DAD! Nothing greater!

Great Water Escape

The buzz before New Years was all about the cousins escape with my parents to a water park. The buzz after New Years has been all about the specific fun the cousins had during the escape with my parents to the water park.

Although tired upon returning, the kids and my parents enjoyed every moment together. Nonstop action. The kids would either hang out in their group of four together, or they were paired off with a cousin. Rarely, if ever, the siblings were alone together. I think that is pretty cool. Cousin bonding time at its finest.

My parents allowed the kids to roam and explore within the huge one-room water park. My daughter and her older cousin, both age 12, got a special wrist guard from the resort that allowed more freedom around the resort without an adult. As soon as they understood this resort rule - they were sure to find ways to "test it out".

They were not trying to fool my parents, nor were my parent's fooled. They just offered to get this and that that were forgotten, and my parent's let them. The girls thought they were so grown up. Cute.

The two younger ones (only by two years) enjoyed being chaperoned by the two older ones when it was necessary.  The four of them are a good team. Cautious kids who are highly responsible, they had earned the trust of my parents over the years, and they left the resort in good standing of continued trust.

My parents went on a few water slide runs, but were vetoed into using The Tornado tube by all four of their grandchildren. I think the kids were all nervous about the safety of their grandparents should they decide to jump on that tube. Apparently it is pretty wild. The kids each rode it about six times, but for some reason they would not like to witness their grandparents on the ride. Having never been, I can't say what really was the scare, but supposedly there was one.

My mom being the thoughtful grandmother that she is decided to pack a home cooked meal for their first dinner at the resort. She knew there was a small kitchen facility in the room (microwave) to warm up the meal, and the kids loved it! Eating in the over sized room was more of a hit than a restaurant. Although they did enjoy the Breakfast Buffet the next morning in the dinning hall.

Glitzing it up and looking sharp before the New Year's Eve Dance Party in the lobby, the kids took turns adding face paint to celebrate the turn over to 2011. This was their first year of staying up to see the clock strike twelve. The lobby was packed with families dancing to DJ'd music, and hundreds of balloons fell from the ceiling to ring in the New Year.

Still on cloud 9, the kids rode home with out taking a nap. By the time the parent's arrived to my parent's house, and having chatted over freezer pizza for dinner, they were ready to crash before we got in the car.

Mom and Dad - what a fantastic celebration you hosted for your grandchildren. They truly enjoyed the time they spent together with you - the stories sure tell the love and commitment to family that you each shared on your Great Water Escape. Thank you for taking such good care of them and tailoring every detail to FUN!! Love you! xoxo

Jumpin' Around

Today is our last day of Christmas vacation with all four of us. The kids return tomorrow. My husband returns to work on Thursday. We brainstormed last night and decided upon a new place to us to play - a warehouse covered with trampolines to bounce an hour of winter energy away!

It was pretty empty as I think most districts resumed school today. We enjoyed bounce time with just a few others who were enjoying their last hours of vacation too.

What an odd feeling it is to jump and jump and jump and then try to "walk off" the trampoline with normal legs. It is an odd sensation that takes a few minutes to get your muscles working properly for walking.

The boys decided to do flips and turns into the foam pit. My girl and I saw the stranger-dripping-sweaty-boys jumping in, and quickly decided it didn't look too appealing. Glad our two had fun, and we had fun snapping photos.

Nothing better to get all the energy out before we head to bed on school hours tonight and focus on academics tomorrow.

Mountain Road Trip

Per tradition, since we are all about tradition around here this time of year, we took our annual Mountain Road Trip this week. Spending time away from the house and getting into the snow and bitter cold does a body good as we say goodbye to the holiday season and prepare to ring in the New Year.

The bitterness of the crisp air combined with the quiet of nature surrounding in the valley of regal mountains is my favorite. We traveled past the county road on a dead end street - the same road my man and I parked when we took our days bike trip for our anniversary celebration in September. The region looks much different covered in thick layers of snow.

However, it was just as peaceful and quiet as the Fall.

We parked. My husband did some photography work, we played with the kids in the snow, we listened to nothing. So tranquil.

The rental of cross country skis is the way to go for the novice type like us. For under $75 we had four ski and boot rentals, and ski passes for twelve hours. You can't beat the price and we used up every last minute too. Now that the kids are 10 and 12, they can last longer on their skis and we proved to be able to keep right along with them. Headed over rivers and through woods, and up and down hills, was a beautiful challenge.

Sure we fell, but we got right back up laughing (me, because while I only fell twice, they were ultimately, without a doubt, completely graceful-less!), or with a few tears (kids) when the fall was a little more tender as a result of landing on ice, rather than fluffy snow. We kept going and got stronger as a result. The kids did not want to stop, and neither did we. It was a gorgeous, crisp, in the teens kinda day. Perfect.

We found time to sled, too. Growing up I loved to sled. I would go through woods dodging trees and down streets dodging parked bodies and cars. But as an adult, I have found that it is not as thrilling; something along the lines of an aged back that isn't the same post child birth. So I live vicariously through my children and husband enjoying the view through the lens of the camera and video. I find them extremely adorable bundled up, cruising down a slope, screaming with laughter, and landing/crashing with a smile.

We ate. Plenty. Enough said about that. We relaxed in the warm condo by the fire - looking at HOME magazines for a potential purchase (dreaming).

Our Mountain Road Trip of 2010 was spectacular. The tradition to be continued ...

Texting is okay with me

As the kids were getting packed up to leave on their vacation, I mentioned to my girl to hold off on texting friends because she'd have her cousins around, her brother, her grandparents - this vacation was about family time. It was really not a necessary conversation as we feel she is very responsible with her phone, and texting has never been one of those "issues" with her. But I still felt it needed to be said.

I added, however, that if mom texts her that she needs to respond. To which I got the eye roll and a very clear sentence of "But only text in an emergency!" Yep, she's still an average tween.

My son, on the other hand, piped up and said, "Mom, you can text me on Mono's (my mom's) phone anytime you want!" My boy who still likes the strings held close and I'm okay with that!

Last night before our movie was to start I sent a text to my son. This is exactly how he replied:

this is so cool we run in the hallway mono and graddad rock have good time i went down the tornado 6 times love you :)


I respected my daughter's wishes and did not text her, but was beaming when I received her text at 12:15am that read:

HAPPY NEW YEAR! YEA FOR 2011!!!!! 

And then after I replied, she sent back this:

we went down 2 the lobby to the dance party...it was sooo much fun!! there were balloons that fell from the ceilin and when they fell some popped and it sounded like fireworks...it was so cool!!! :) haha.


Texting is okay with me - gives me little snippets into my kid's life while they are off having an amazing adventure. They will be rolling into my parent's driveway shortly, so we are off to meet them and hear all the stories and (hopefully) see some pictures too.