Easter hunt

Red lodge mountain

For our Christmas present to dad this year, we said we'd take him skiing so last Thursday after the kids performed some songs at the care center, we headed to Sleeping Giant.  Right before we were coming into Powell I thought I'd better call to make sure they were open and I'm glad I called because the voice message said they were closed for the season.  That was a huge bummer, weird too because I thought I'd checked their schedule earlier and that they were still open, but we called Red Lodge who is still open 'til April 15th.  We're glad we made it because it was a beautiful day for skiing!  As we were getting all our gear, I debated leaving some of my layers in the lodge because it was in the forties, but I ended up being just right.  Stetson didn't even wear his hat, because he's crazy.  It was great to go with dad because he knows the resort better than us and showed us some beautiful runs.  We also got to ride on the 4 man lift together which was fun.  I love skiing!  I love to be outside in the beautiful mountains, with my family taking it all in.  When I was 29, Stetson was in kindergarten and in my very skewed perception, I felt old all the sudden and realized I wouldn't live forever (dramatic, I know) and decided I was going to teach my kids to ski and enjoy what Wyoming/Montana weather has to offer and I haven't regretted it.  We are nowhere near expert level of skiers but we do just fine. One day I'd love to take lessons and try shorter skies and see if I can get better.  I'm grateful for an adventurous dad who went with my 11 years ago with Stetson for the first time.

Little league basketball

Stetson and Kandace played little league basketball this year.  Unfortunately Stetson's team never got a team picture.  They had a rough season.  I don't think they won any games.  Another bummer was that every single game Stetson and Kandace had was at the same time so I switched back and forth, but I was a coach for Kandace's team, too making it more hectic.  Stetson is timid and the opposite of aggressive but we like for him to try new things and get out of his comfort zone.  Secretly I wish that if I spent enough time helping him during the summer that he'd come out of his shell and it can become something he likes and is good at.  It'd help if he grew a little, too.  A mom can hope, right?  Kandace actually loves basketball and it did my heart good to see her actually dribbling and shooting and right in the middle of the action.  I am proud of both my little basketball players!

Basin music festival

Stetson plays bass in a recorder ensemble this year and has loved it so much.  They practice every Tue-Thur at 8am.  He got to accompany the Christmas concerts and he got to be part of a music festival in Thermop including many surrounding schools in the Big Horn Basin.  I hope music is always a big part of Stetson's life.

Special day

This was the day all of Janelle's special day dreams came true.  Each kindergarten student gets a day to bring some special visitors, show and tell and bring treats.  Janelle brought rice crispy treats and for show and tell brought as Asay reunion shirt, a blanket with her name on it and some pictures from Disney Land and Billings.  Janelle is very special and we love her!

Thermos hot springs

Kandace begged us for months to go to Thermop again to go swimming so we set a date on the calendar and made it happen.  It was freezing that day (probably barely above 0) but the water was wonderful and very stinky and gross.  It was a chilly run from the indoor pool to the outdoor pool but fun all together.  This was a fun day for our family.  We tried the other water park this time just to be adventurous and discovered it was mostly like the other one.

Friend night

I stumbled upon this pic on my phone and thought it'd be fun to include.  Kira and Kindle came over one night and the girls did crafts and had pizza and watched Free Willy

V-day boxes

V-day boxes were not a thing in Billings so Michael and I were a little out of practice when we found out we (the kids) would be doing this.  Stetson wanted a vending machine and even though I had a good feeling it'd be too stressful and complicated, we did it anyway.  I told the kids from the beginning we were just going to use things we already had at home and luckily we had everything.  Stetson definitely had a vision for his vending machine and it was a little frustrating for all involved when we didn't all see eye to eye on everything but I think he was happy with it and he won first place in his class!  Kandace started hers  long before it was due and spent a lot of time gluing all those things on.

5th grade talent show

As soon as Stetson found out about the 5th grade talent show he KNEW he wanted to do a skit with some friends.  After lots of friendly reminders from Stetson, I found one on the internet that we both agreed on so he asked some of his friends, Jarrett Allen, Lafe Files and Falson (forgot last name) to do it with him.  Stetson was the pilot and everyone else was passengers and they pretend the plane is about to go down and there's not enough parachutes. Stetson just loves to perform in this kind of setting and he ate it all up.  He has great stage presence, projects well and loves to be funny.  Michael and I have already discussed the possibility of him being in speech and debate and think he could be really great at it.  This wasn't always the most popular extra-curricular activity when Michael and I were growing up but we'd love to see him happy and feel successful even if its not in sports.  He also played heart and soul on the piano because his mean mom made him.

Kandace turns 9

 For Kandace's birthday we had family over to the church gym for pizza and dessert.  Kandace knew for a while that she wanted to have rainbow fruit cups and we had fun putting those together.  Kandace got some great gifts, a basketball from mom and dad, gel pens and a grapefruit from grandma and grandpa, a book for Joel and Kambree, Amazon gift card from Jill and Christian and lots more fun stuff I've forgottten. Some fun things about Kandace at 9:
*loves basketball and practices on our driveway quite a bit
*practices piano a half hr every day and says she doesn't like it but I think she does once she gets past hard parts
*doesn't like eating breakfast unless its grapefruit.  Gma Asay usually has one for breakfast at school that gpa peels for her and Kandace loves to mooch of Gma and gma lets her because she's a great grandma and loves Kandace. 
*loves to swim
*loves to play with her friends, especially Kira and Kindle and Kaydree
*after every has gone to bed, Kandace never fails to come into the living room where Michael and I are and asks if she can say prayers with one of us
*is kind of a scaredy cat and always says in her prayers (please bless that noone will come in that's not supposed to)
*doesn't like me to do her hair
*is responsible about getting ready for school and being on time but is kind of messy
*helps a TON with Stahle taking her potty, getting her dressed, getting her clothes, etc.
***Sometimes I can still hardly believe I have this beautiful girl to call my own.  I am beyond grateful for her hugs, smiles and for being her.  I love my Kandace

Showalter music festival

Stetson has been coming along nicely on piano.  For showalter he chose to play Heart and Soul and did awesome.  He got a II rating because he had his foot slanted weird while he was playing.  Not something we'd thought of when preparing.  I'm proud of him for playing in front of an audience and working hard at piano.  Its definitely not all sunshine and rainbows, but despite his telling us he doesn't even like piano, we can't be fooled because he plays ALL. THE . TIME.  He's getting great at hymns made easy and serenades us with it every Sunday morning while everyone gets ready.

100th day of school

Janelle made the cutest 100 year old we'd ever seen!  We couldn't decide between the bun up do or the curlers but finally decided on curlers.  By the time she came home on the bus at the end of the day, half of them were hanging off her head about to fall out.

What keeps us busy in winter

This was taken Right after Christmas, Stahle's sweet primary teacher needed a picture of Stahle with her parents.  Other activities are keeping our chickens alive!  Stetson does the majority of this and usually does a pretty good job. Michael has to remind him frequently how to do this job right but we hope it will lend some life experiences and ...some eggs!

This was one night Candace Walker came over for dinner and we frosted sugar cookies and went swimming in Lovell.  Kandace always wants to go swimming with her friends and its a great way to pass the time during the bleak winter so we went quite a bit.  Stetson did pup wrestling again.  I don't think he loves it but he was a good sport and worked hard.

Sleeping giant

We made a few trips to Sleeping Giant this winter.  Next year we should get passes maybe.  These pics aren't all from the same trip.  The first trip was me, Stetson and Kandace.  They took lessons that time because some refresher tips can never hurt.  About a week later, Kandace and I took the bus that goes from Powell to sleeping giant every Saturday.  We thought it'd be good to save $ on gas and wear and tear on the expedition but the passengers on the bus were pretty rowdy!  We met Walkers up there a couple times.  Aubrey is a great skier and peer pressured me to go down some black diamonds with her.  I figured out that it probably wouldn't hurt for me to try shorter skies.  Might make it easier on the harder hills.  Kandace loved skiing with Candace Walker.  They are good little skiing buddies.

Eating snacks at the lodge is always a favorite.  We did take Janelle up once but she didn't do so great.  Next year we're going to try harder.  Heck I might even take her to Red Lodge once or twice since they're open until middle of April.  I think I should have started all my kids out sooner.  I want to take Stahle, too while she's this little. I  think its easier for them in the long run before their legs get too long (Janelle).  Sleeping Giant is SO beautiful and we love to get the fresh mountain air in our lungs and ski ski ski! 

.