Christmas Recap

I haven't been good about updating the blog lately and I need to show some Christmas photos! We started our trip to Montana the Monday after we landed in Seattle from Texas. We left nice and early because Nate had to do some work in Couer 'd Alene. The dogs and I had some us time. It thought I was going to get bored, but it took me forever to get around town with the snow and me not knowing where I was going. It took probably two hours to find a stinkin' dog park -- I never did find it after asking so many people! The dogs kept me entertained while they fought over the front seat.

Bridger isn't normally the one getting sat on. :)

Both comfortable in the front seat. Don't worry we hit every single red light while we were driving around. 

No, they are not harnessed in. {Sometimes I do that with Bridger to keep him still}

Bridger is wearing a Wonder Walker. VERY helpful for the pulling dog. He is much better, but I still like to use it. 

After the not productive afternoon I was ready to pick up Nate and head on to MONTANA!!

Made it to Glendive a day later and hit up the Beavercreek Brewery with the McPhersons. Let's just say there were A LOT of giggles ;)

Kelsi got to join us for some giggles too!!

The boys had to get in the shot too!

Bathroom shot with my mom at the Shamrock! :)

Christmas Eve at the Oasis

Then to Grandma's we go!

Girl's White Elephant exchange

my aunties are a little loud for the youngsters

The boy are patiently waiting for their turn

Christmas Day

Vince always gets the fire going

Italian Stallion in his new jacket and hat

Vince's horns to trick the deer. Never heard of them before

Abby came over with her sleeping mask. I taught her how to play "mark-o pollo"

She was able to get everyone to play with her!

Uncle Jay

Cousin John

Later that evening...

time for ping pong at dad's shop

This is how much water gets on the floor when Bridger drinks.

Gavin and cousin Dan

The lounge

Bridger thinking my dad is going to give him treats.

Vince, Derek and Drew

Next day...Bozeman!

Joan got these stockings for the boys. They LOVE them! 

{even if they are horse treats ;)}

Then we had a delicious turkey dinner! My fav at the Knutsons!

Next day, another graduation party for Jake!

Nate, Casey, Me, & Tara

{that table top is made out of beer bottle tops. Vince's friend made it and sold it to Spectators. It is a mountain with an 'M' and a Bobcat head off to the right. Pretty sweet!}

Joan with sisters Mary and Noreen. 

 After party! Playing Sequence, my new favorite game!

Joan had an extra one and gave it to us. Nate and I have played almost every night since we came home.

By this time, Nate was sick(cold) and I was starting to get sick. We had to make the journey back to Seattle for me to get some work done. I was sad. Wish I could have stayed in Bozeman a bit longer since I had to work most of the time I was there. :( 

We made it back safely before a big storm with full blown colds.  We did a lot of celebrating the previous two weeks with our families. It was a blast and we were paying for it ;)

Stayed home New Years and was asleep by 8! Woke up just in time for the fireworks off the Space Needle. Wonderful way to celebrate the New Year! 

Bird Hunting

I was excited to take my "bird dogs" hunting while we were home for Christmas. Since Bridger is an excellent hunter in our backyard {Nate saw him almost catch another squirrel!} I thought he would be awesome at running the bushes for birds.

Yep, I was wrong and my dad was right. The only thing they hunt are the back of our heels. :( They still had a great workout and enjoyed running back and forth from Nate and me.

The pro-hunter

He was telling Scott something was wrong with his shells. 

They were "popping" ;)

Jackpot bushes. About 100 birds came out of here!

I didn't have my camera handy when about twenty at a time when over my head. It was amazing. I have never seen so many birds at once while hunting.

My favorite picture!

May become a painting someday ;)

 The only time Jeter picks up speed is on snow packed roads. He is a pretty lazy "runner".

The pheasant came back to life! A first for me to see

Checking out their birds

Proud hunters! 

The boys went back to my dad's shop to clean the birdies up and I went home to take a nap. Perfect ending to a successful hunting trip!

Jake's Graduation

Trip to Texas again!! We were wishing for warm weather. The day before we arrived was in the 80's. Of course, the temp had to drop to 50 for our arrival. :( We still had a wonderful time with family, dinner with Jake's friends, packing up his entire room {yes, he left it for us to help him with} and checking out the bar scene at night.

First things first-- Go Cats!! At the Seattle airport. We were so excited to see it. Everyone probably thought we were nuts taking photos of it.

poor grizzles...

Texas A&M Stage

trying to figure out lighting. result- no flash, be really still.

Jake is at the bend wearing Bozeman Hawk colors 

Just received his diploma!! 

Blurry in the center left. Looking at us :)

Rooftop bar...brrr

Yes, I claimed him. :)

{I'd write Jake's buddies names if I could remember...ekk!}

Brotherly love!

We are so proud of you Jacob!! 

The past two summers he has been working with Northrop Grumman in Palmdale, CA.

He starts full time next week as an aerospace engineer!

Good Luck, Jake!

{These are the only photos I had. I didn't have any family photos on my camera. :( Rick and Joan were there too!!}

Why I am in LOVE with my husband!

1. He always has a surprise up his sleeve for me.

I have an unofficial "bucket list". --- To watch a professional Nutcracker ballet
Dancing in LaDonna's Nutcracker every year helped me learn the story. I love to watch the Nutcracker or listen to the music every Christmas. Sure enough, Nate remembered how badly I wanted to see it since we have lived out here.

I was feeling a little crummy laying on the couch one day and Nate dropped an envelope on me. I opened it, looked at the tickets. SURPRISE!!! Nutcracker tickets!!!

He finds the best deals. Somehow, he managed to find a lady selling her tickets --of course he got a deal from her. Then, when he went to pick them up, she decided to give them to us for FREE!! She won them or was given them and had a change of heart. I started crying immediately once he told me this. We had an angel make one of my 'bucket lists" come true!! It made me really appreciate the show. It was unbelievable!

Check out the trailer. The stage was incredible! The dancers-- amazing!

2. He is so proud our family.
Yep, the two of us and our doggies! He has an incredible love for all of us. My favorite is when we are sitting in the living room watching the dogs play and he says 'I love our family'. It always melts my heart. :)

He loves us so much that we had to take a Christmas photo by the tree all dressed...... at 2 am after the Clark Nuber christmas party. We might have had a few cocktails, so it took us a while to get a good snap. Plus, we had a dog (Jeter) that kept running to his bed. He did not appreciate getting woken up for a photo. {It was actually quite funny!}

Nate really wanted Christmas cards sent this year, but I didn't have time. If I would have sent out Christmas cards this year, this photo would have been on it. {if the lighting was better- it wasn't up to my standards}

{the dogs crossed their paws all on their own. they love each other :) }

Check out the dog bone stockings made by the super talent Shelly Morasko! 

3.  Love E-mails
He knows how to put a smile on my face when I least expect it. Today I received an email that sure put a smile on my face. 

Subject: I love you!!

Body:

How could you not SMILE when you receive this in your inbox from you better half?

How did I get so lucky? I am SO looking forward to many more blissful years with my handsome, caring husband!!

There are many more reasons why I love my husband. I don't want to bore you will ALL of the reasons why ;)

Quarter Zip Crew

3 fancy sweater wearing men celebrating the New Year's Eve at Beaver Creek Brewery in Wibaux, MT. Proof that guys dig matching fashion too!

Kyle, Scott, Jay (aka dad) 

 I hope someone had a paddlefish and cookie for me :)