Over Christmas break our family made the trip to Montana to visit family and friends. We also got to spend a day snowshoeing with the bison on the Flying D Ranch where Bob used to work as a cowboy. The weather was a bit overcast in the morning, but the clouds burned off and the day ended up being beautiful and sunny.
This is a panorama of the Spanish Peaks just south of Bozeman, Montana.
Lisa and Hannah snowshoeing in a winter wonderland.
Caleb enjoying a day out of doors.
Lisa during our lunch stop.
Hannah loves snowshoeing.
Our traditional winter outing lunch - hotdogs roasted over a camp fire - yum!
Hannah, our outdoors loving gal, is wearing a hat Bob brought back from Nepal. He purchased it on his mountain climbing/trekking adventure in 2000 while Lisa at home and pregnant with her. How appropriate she is now wearing it.
Caleb says, "This is the perfect lunch!"
"Hotdogs roasting over an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose..."
Hannah trekking up the trail.
What a Montana scene - bison in the foreground with the Spanish Peaks in the distance.
Caleb was very excited to have Grandpa teach him how to drive his Gator.
Hannah also got to drive the Gator. Caleb said she was a bit of a wild driver!
Our family went to see Lisa's parents in Great Falls. They are now staying in The Rainbow Hotel Senior Center in the historic downtown. A highlight for Caleb was getting to fly his new drone in the Center's three story atrium.
Caleb learning the art of taking off and landing.
An artsy photo of Hannah by Hannah taken at Grandpa and Grandma Boobar's.
A peak at Bob's hand.
The Potts brothers and their Dad had a good time playing a few rounds of Pinochle at the family holiday get together.
Our family doing some snowshoeing around Grandpa and Grandma Potts' place. It was fun trying out our new snowshoes.
Bob putting on his snowshoes for a fun family outing.
Lisa all bundled up for some winter fun.
Christy sporting her winter coat. She is always game for another adventure.
Our dog Christy loves to ride with Bob.
"Queen Christy"
One of the many cool photos Hannah took of of Grandpa Potts' old machinery.
Hannah looking cute.
We are enjoying getting know our new neighbors here in Carson City. The park by our house has a good sledding hill. Here Hannah is going for a ride with our neighbor Sara Summers.
Caleb and Jonathan Summers getting ready to chase them down.
Sara heading down solo.
Our house is in the neighborhood below just a couple blocks from the park. Sara and Jonathan live diagonally across the street from our house and we've enjoyed getting to know their family.
Snow scene out our side window.
Dad and son working together.
What would Christmas be without a string of pretty lights.
Lisa overseeing decoration of the Christmas tree.
Caleb was a big help putting Christmas lights on our new house. It was easy putting up lights this year as our new house was all set up with clips and receptacles for Christmas lights.
Lisa's favorite ornament - a handmade horse.
Caleb adding some ornaments to our tree while Christy looks on wearing her Santa hat.
This year Bob got each of the kids a small Christmas tree for their room. This is a picture of Caleb's room with another big Lego project spread all over his bed.
Hannah's Christmas tree -- No surprise she had a whale theme for her tree.
We stayed home for the first Christmas in our new home. It snowed so much on Christmas eve that church was cancelled, so we held our own lovely candlelight service in our living room. The day after Christmas we headed for Montana to visit both sets of grandparents, and family and friends. Here Hannah opens a gift of tea from her Mom.
Bob opening gifts while Caleb looks on.
Some special peppermint bark candy for Hannah.
Caleb was overwhelmed with his Christmas present from Dad - a drone! It was definitely a surprise and almost brought Caleb to tears. Good job Dad!
The Christmas lights on the house were lovely. These are one of Lisa's favorite Christmas things.
Bob and Hannah with her gift of a scrimshaw whale motif box from National Geographic. After reading "Moby Dick" this past year Hannah continues to be enthralled with whales. Needless to say she loved the gift.
Our happy girl.
Bob and our neighbor Sean Summers having a Christmas beer in our garage. The Summers' house is the lighted one directly behind Sean's shoulder. We are so thankful to have such great neighbors.
Lisa and Hannah co-taught a mini sewing workshop for a group of home schooling girls in December which turned out great. Here are the girls with their hand sewn skirts.
Bob flew to Washington D.C. for a meeting in December. He got the chance to tour the Korean Memorial as well as a number of other National Monuments. Here is a panorama of the Korean Memorial he had printed and framed to give to his Dad for Christmas. Bob's Dad is a Korean veteran.
The Lincoln Memorial is a solemn place that evokes strong feelings like patriotism, honor, and respect. Every American owes it to themselves to visit their country's capital.
The Washington Monument as seen through the mist.
Arlington National Cemetery
Iwo Jima Memorial