Christmas in Montana 2010

We went to Montana for Christmas again this year. We had a lovely time. Allyson Barton rode with us there and I realize that we have no pictures to prove it! She was a pretty quiet rider in the back seat! We left Friday morning at 4:45 am and drove straight, getting into Devon around 8pm that night. We were there for a week and here is a glimpse into our trip!

While driving, we found this cool flowing water, turned into ice formation!

More of the ice formation

Lots of snow even on branches

Another of the ice formation

This car was so loaded down with stuff! See the stack of buckets? And the bicycle? The inside of the car was just as jam packed!

Cool old house in Missoula, MT

Rowena getting a massage from her Grandma Sue

Mari's turn to get a massage

Awww, sweet Rowena is giving Grandma Sue a massage

Rowena is still massaging Grandma!

Mari's beautiful blue eyes!

Aunt Marlene sharing a snack with Rowena and Mari

Uncle Marv and Auntie Sue

Lonnie with a messy face!

Rowena watching Dennis play games

Bored kids? Hand them your iphone! Ian and Rowena entertained!

My handsome husband and myself

Eric and Lenora came too!

Rowena's (first choice) monkey wearing shoes!

Someone sent Rowena in a box to us?

Mari being super cute with her blankie

Rowena with a box on her head - she is such a goof!

Rowena sharing a snack with the monkeys

Mari combing her monkey's fur. Rowena traded after she realized Mari had the pink monkey, as pink is Rowena's favorite color

Little purple riding hood! Rowena all bundled up to feed the chickens with Uncle Cliff

Dennis standing in a snow drift

Plop! That's a lot of snow!

Eric and Rowena playing with cars

Rowena getting some cuddle time in with Dennis

Grandpa and Grandma Benjamin

Dennis and Rowena playing in the snow at night!

Dennis reading to Mari

Our winter 'picnic'

Rowena brought all her stuffed animals too

Rowena knows how to eat olives!

A Montana snow plow!

SLEDDING! We went sledding in 15 below! It was a blast!

Dale and Rowena sledding!

Dennis turned white quickly in the cold and snow!

Ha - so sledding there was some prickly pear cactus that we fell in. Rowena told her dad she knew he had some slivers in his feet. She had his head lamp on and was trying to get the slivers out!

Rowena's precious smile!

Concentrating so hard to get the slivers out

Rowena giving me a foot massage - my feet were still slimy with lotion the next morning! :)

snow drifts

Old falling down barn

Snow drifting across the highway

Another old barn picture

Gorgeous Montana sky

Thanksgiving at Mom and Dad Smith's

This year, we had a quiet and nice Thanksgiving at Mom and Dad Smiths with Jon and Tamara there also. It was a quiet affair and very nice. The rents put on a big, full Thanksgiving dinner and we ate until we were stuffed. Like usual, there were tons of leftovers. I tried to talk mom and Tamara into going shopping on Black Friday (in the wee hours of the morning) but neither of them were up for it. We did end up going later in the day and having a good time. Looking back, I realize that I didn't take a lot of pictures but the memories are great!

Mom with yummy green beans!

Tamara and I set the table and had a joke/riddle at each plate setting. It was fun!

Table set so pretty! We sure missed having Nate and Emily there.

The gang (minus the photographer)

Dennis being goofy, standing outside, in the snow, in his bare feet!

Desserts for Halloween

We had a potluck at my work around Halloween time so I brought in some Halloweeny desserts! The first one is a spiderweb cheesecake! I put a couple of plastic spiders on it - this one was a huge hit! The other one was cupcakes in the shape of a pumpkin and frosted like a pumpkin. It wasn't as big of a hit but was also fun to have there at the potluck!

Spider web cheesecake. Dennis helped with putting the chocolate circles on it! What an awesome husband!

Pumpkin cupcakes! This one was fun to make too!

The night before our big celebration for Grandpa and Grandma Smith we had dinner with Grandpa and Grandma Jensen, Kim, Jason, Chloe, Sophie, Nick, Courtney and Cooper! We had a great time catching up with everyone and as always it was so nice to see everyone. We love time spent with family!

The whole gang!

Nate meets cousin Cooper!

Mom Smith's turn to hold Cooper

The table full of us - what a great evening we had!

Cute brothers o' mine and sweet sister in laws! Love them all!

Chloe's turn to hold Cooper!

Emily, Jon, Grandma, Cooper and me

Sophie - we celebrated her birthday that night too!

Cousins with Grandpa and Grandma!

Thanks again for the pizza Grandpa and Grandma - it was delish and wonderful to see you again.

Catching up with blogging

Trying to get caught with blogging - starting in October 2010. Grandpa and Grandma Smith's 60th wedding anniversary that most of dad's family was there. It was a grand time to see everyone again and have fun with all.

Mil and Sherry Merryman

Megan with Kate still baking, Ellia and Scott

Grandpa and Grandma holding hands - aren't they cute?

Auntie Anne Marie and me - she is a lovely auntie!

Lots of visiting going on

Cousins acting tough! Or cool? Or just being boys?

Grandpa, Grandma and their 8 kids

Chattering Smiths!

Amy the wonderful planner of this reunion - and Grandpa too

Jon, is it that bad being stuck in the elevator with a bunch of Smiths?

Grandpa and Grandma looking at their surprise present - a picture book the family put together for them. It was a wonderful gift!

Welcome to the Smith Family Reunion!

Still smooching after 60 years!

Grandpa and Grandma with their sign! Congratulations Gpa and Gma! I don't think Dennis and I will make it 60 years (unless I live to be 88 and Dennis 85) I suppose there's a chance! We're going for it! A great time was had by all and it would be awesome if we could all get together again someday! Love all of my family!

Update!

So, it's been a while (again) since I've updated our blog. Life has been extremely busy! I had high hopes to get it done in the past couple of days but haven't taken or really had the time to do it. I wondered that if I included our blog in the Christmas letter we sent out - if I wouldn't update it as often. I don't know why - but that seems how I am sometimes.

We had a wonderful time in Montana. We left bright and early at 4:45 am Friday morning (Christmas Eve) and arrived to our destination around 8:30. We stayed with Dale and Kari this time and had plenty of time playing with Rowena and Mari. Those girls have grown so much and are adorable. Rowena kept asking me "I'm gwowing up, Jen, aren't I?" Mari learned so many new words when we were there - it was amazing watching her develop her vocabulary.

On our way back from Montana we got the flu so had to take a couple extra days off work to recover. That wasn't fun - but hopefully neither of us will get sick for the rest of 2011.

Then, this Thursday 1/20 Dennis had surgery on his shoulder. He hurt it at work 6 weeks ago and after going to several doctors, MRI's, appointments, decision making ... we decided surgery would be best. The surgeon was able to repair a tear in his shoulder but wasn't able to repair the bicep. This shouldn't affect Dennis too long term. This is his 2nd surgery since we've been married and let me tell you, I sure don't like being the one sitting out in the waiting room. I kept hearing paging for all additional doctors to a certain operating room and I was nervous it was Dennis. I have told him strictly that he is not allowed to have another surgery!

I was able to get Thursday and Friday off work to care for him - which has been nice. He is one armed right now. I mean, he does have 2 arms... but only one is useable. His right arm is in a sling and the sling rests on a pillow that is on his side.

But, with my surgery in November, vacationing in December, then getting sick in Jan and his surgery ... this has left me with no vacation time at work. I used to have 40 hours of PTO just sitting there in case I needed to use it. So now, I need to save up the 40 hours and then some before I can take time off work again.

There wont be any pictures with this post - but someday soon I'll update with pictures.

Hope all is well in your world - come visit!