We made the beautiful trek to Glacier National Park! There wasn't a huge amount of snow, but enough to accentuate the grandeur of the mountains. It was clear for the majority of the time we were in the park, and then, as we exited it started to cloud over and rain. (so grateful Scott got to see the tops of the peaks) (note to Chris & Keith - the pier is where we stood and watched the firefighters across Lake McDonald a few years ago)


We live in a FANTASTICALLY beautiful place! What a blessing!! The kids had their usual fun throwing in rocks, but this time Keith and Jacob would throw in a big piece of ice. Then, everyone would try to "sink" it with their rocks :)!

Uncle Scott in Montana ... looks like a natural, huh!! Kara and Simon have LOTS of cuddles to share (don't you all want to pay a visit for some of those)! Keith and Jacob are expressing their love a bit differently these days - sharing their excitement over Wii and Chaotic and wrestling are 2 primary ways :).

On Sunday afternoon, we traveled down to camp. The snow was perfect for snowball fights. Our friends, Kim, Karlina, and Sarah hung around to play with us! They are super fun. Even Gran was inspired to try the saucer for two sled runs (she said she wished she'd started earlier so she could have gone down a few more times)!!

Sunday after church, we ventured down to camp. It was a great day for sledding and some folks at the junior high retreat had built an amazing snow fort.

After much anticipation (2hr delay on their flight), Uncle Scott and Gran arrived at the Kalispell airport on Saturday evening! We were all SUPER excited to have them with us. This was Uncle Scott's first visit to MT. By the way, Simon is still saying, "I eat all your meatballs, Uncle Tott!"

Catching up a bit with pictures of our last week - FULL OF FUN! Last Friday night, Jeff and I were able to get away to a very cool guest ranch in Whitefish, MT for a belated anniversary/birthday treat. Thanks Jeff and Lori for keeping our kids! We were the only guests at a HUGE lodge and enjoyed getting to know the staff and relaxing at the Bar W. We also went out to eat at the local Sushi joint - YUMMY! It is always so refreshing to spend some time, just the two of us!
This was a neat package from the Lighthouse Christian Home's fundraiser swing dance last year (it's coming up again soon - you should come if you're close enough - call us for tickets).

We had a great time tonight playing and praising God with our friends! Jeff is starting a few weeks of lessons on Moses. He pretended to be baby Moses tonight and "hide" on the other side of the gym. Simon keeps telling and retelling us that Daddy is a loud baby! Can you fill in the missing words on the verse that Garret and Jacob are holding?? All the friends enjoyed the challenged of erasing a few and trying to get all the way through it. Christine has a birthday in a few days and brought us cake! It was great to be together again - the energy is contagious!

Can u name all the bundled Orts?? We did get another good batch of snow today - fun for sledding. It did turn bitter cold by the afternoon (when we got to the hill), but it was still fun!

We're getting ready for our first Friday Night Out since our return . . . looking forward to seeing all those local Camp Promise campers and other friends who can make it out!!

As Keith and Jacob were on the run from Daddy, Kara and Simon attempted to hit them with snowballs which actually became a fun game of making "holes" in Miss Jody's yard. This is our single neighbor whose yard is still untouched by kiddo or doggie feet. It reminded me of pictures I had taken a few months ago of Dakota and Kara and Simon throwing rocks into the creek (same concept - endless entertainment)!!


We came inside to warm up with hot cocoa (but had cider instead). Simon sat at the table SO cute, saying "hot toto, too hot". He also copied everyone else singing a hot cocoa song Keith had learned in 2nd grade. "I want a hot cup of cocoa to warm me up from head to toe . . ." Sing along! Or better yet, come over and have a cup!!

A fort is also on the list of things to build in the front yard. We tested it out a bit. Who threw a snowball at the 2 yr old's head, JACOB??? (his defense - he did throw one at me first :) Simon didn't mind, but it was a little cold on his neck :). After throwing snowballs at Daddy (who was behind the kitchen window), Keith and Jacob had to run down the street as Daddy came out for the attack. He and Kara and Simon hid behind the bushes to get them on their way back down the street :)!

We finally got enough "sticky" snow to really play good! Thanks Brackbills for the snowman kit :)! We had to share it between two, so we added a few of our own touches. Last night Kara told us she couldn't go to sleep without a sister :). So, we told her the "girly" snowman was her new sister, but she couldn't come in to sleep with her. She thought that was funny! She was glad the bigger snowman, "Uncle Scott" was out there to protect her sister.