It was winter back then...

By the time I'm making this post it's basically summer, but I've fallen way, way behind on blog posts, so this one goes all the way back to winter. Way back in the month of January 2021! Back then, Montana was a frigid winter wonderland and life was all about snow shoveling, sledding, and hitting the ski slopes. We took the short drive up the canyon to Snowbowl to check out Missoula's closest ski resort. The snow never seems to be as good up there as it is at other resorts, but you can't beat the convenience of closeness. The terrain was also a little more advanced than the boys preferred, but they managed well. Nolan and I got in a little over our heads at one point, staring down death at the bottom of a slightly steeper slope than he had hoped to go down, but he handled it like a champ! On another cold winter day we took a short hike up to Waterworks Hill in the Rattlesnake area. While is a close hike, it was one we'd never done, and the views of the city were fantastic. Great times were had by all!

Nolan, the bravest little skier, about to descend the dangerous slops of Snowbowl, aka Icebowl! He ain't scared!

Future Sentinel Spartan... but since he's a thoughtful kid, he took the green way down.

Paul will take the smart route, but for Nolan... it's double Black Diamond time!

It was a rough ride to the bottom. Took the ski patrol an hour to break him out of the ice...

But a little Dr. Pepper can warm you right back up.

He survived to venture out another day! Well, most of him anyway.

If there's water at the top of Waterworks Hill, it was definitely frozen on this day...

Great view from up here!

Getting Lost on the Slopes!

Skiing at Lost Trail was one of my favorite memories of growing up in Montana, so of course now that we're back, we had to get the boys out on the slopes. They took a some lessons and ventured out on the mountain for the first time! Adam had it a little rough, since he opted to try snowboarding, but he was moving pretty good by the end of the day. The weather was great, the snow was smooth, and you can't beat the feeling of being out on the mountain surrounded by endless snow covered trees! Hopefully it'll be something we get to do over and over again...

Even Cousin Mo came along!

Staying warm!

First time out in more than 15 years! Little sore the next day, but otherwise felt great!

Here we go Brownies!

The Cleveland Browns made it to the playoffs for the first time in 26 years, so you know 2020 was a strange year. That being said, since my brother has free flight benefits, he hooked us up, and Grandpa and I flew down to watch the Browns-Chiefs game. It was a nail biter, down to the end, but as they do best, the Browns walked away defeated. But it was as far as I'd seen them get in as long as my memory goes back, and they were oh so close. But anyway, we got to spend some time with the Utah branch of the family, so that's always a good thing...

The pool sharks...

Had some amazing tea...

Even with a loss, spirits were high... and as we say every year, there's always next year!

A Colder Christmas

It wasn't much of a white Christmas, but it was definitely a colder one than usual for these kids. It was also a chance to spend time with both sides of the family, which isn't something that's been possible in a long time. Gotta love the holidays!

Time for some serious sledding!

Dexter got a winter coat... he's put it to good use!

Spent Christmas Eve at the Miller house!

Pause for Holiday Photos

The Clayburn family was up for a while, and that meant it was time for updated photos for most of the kids. We went out to Greenough Park on a very frigid morning and got some decent shots. Here are a few of the behind the scenes photos, as well as the afterparty at the firepit!