On a personal note...

                                     Elk grazing at the base of the Madison Range

                                                                The Madison River

                          Elk taking in the sun between Bozeman and the ski resort of Bridger Bowl

                                                              Winter on the Madison

                                                               Island Park

I hope its ok for me to get a little personal.. I wanted to share something I have learned. After 3 knee surgeries and countless days inside the house, I had the opportunity to travel to Salt Lake for a weekend and as I travelled I was overcome by the immense beauty our Father in Heaven has created for us. This is nothing new for me, I have always marvelled at his creations and have felt so humbled as I sit on the shore of a beautiful river looking up at a magnificant mountain range. What I have learned this winter is that no matter what circumstances you are in and what trials are upon you, all you have to do is open your eyes. I know I have learned this lesson many times but as someone who was very active all my life I only believed I could experience this sense of joy and euphoria by going full speed into it. I have been taught to slow down and truly experience life and all its beauty. I feel so blessed in all I have been given and I just want to express my deepest love and gratitude for my Savior this Easter Season. I hope each of you are enjoying the simple moments and have a very Happy Easter! We love and miss you all!

Graduation on the slopes!

The season ended with all the boys graduating from their levels and receiving their certificates of advancement! Way to go boys! It was a fun season. I really loved watching them learn and grow in their confidence. Each time I went up I enjoyed sitting in the lodge during their lessons and then seeing their faces of shear joy after another successful day.  On the last ski day, Aaron went up with the boys and took some runs with them on his snowboard. He had a blast but ended up taking a crash and hurting his neck. Thankfully he is recovering. We feel so blessed to see them have these opportunities and Zach and Carter also got to go with their friends for ski days during school. Another great winter.. Bring on spring! Oh wait.. This IS spring in montana. :)

Bridger Bowl Lessons

 This is Gavin's very first attempt to ski. He was so nervous to not make it through the cones!

 A crash landing. And he loves to lay there and wait until someone comes to his rescue! :)

                                             My handsome Snowboarder. What a guy!

 My other handsome skiier. He was mad I made him go down the bunny hill for a picture.

The boys enjoyed another season up at Bridger this year! This was Gavin's first time to ski and by the end of the lessons he was really having fun "going through the trees". He likes to be a casual skiier and to be in his own world. :) Carter has really improved this year and took a jump, grabbed his snowboard and landed it! SO Proud of him! Zach has been a natural skiier from the start. He is really in his element up on the mountain and is hitting lots of hard runs now. There was one mishap for him this year when his coat got snagged onto the bar of the chairlift as it was coming over his head and threw him off the chairlift about 8 ft. off the ground! His instructor tried to save his fall as he grabbed him by the coat but the coat ripped as he fell. Luckily he was not hurt and ended up skiing the rest of the day. I am thankful for the power of prayer. Zach always prays for everyone's well being. He is an old soul. Love these boys!

Get your game on!

Jump Ball!

                                                                    Carter's Basket!

                                                             The greatest of Friends
Carter enjoyed a fun basketball season this winter. We were so happy that our good friend in our ward, Trevor Strupp was the coach while Aaron was the assistant coach. Carter also got to be on the team with his BEST bud, Tyler (Trevor's son) so it made the season that much better! This last picture is of Carter and Tyler after a great win! They had a great season and won every game except the last one. I am so grateful that the dad's would sacrifice their time to coach the boys! Great memories for them.

Winter Tubing

 There is botherhood! SO fun to see them have fun together and boy did they go fast!

 This is a typical landing pose for Gavin. The more animated the better!

                                                                The Guys

Here was one of the best days this winter for the boys. I Love montana! Right in the middle of a community of houses there is a park where they made a huge hill so in the wintertime the kids can enjoy a fast and furious sledding experience! And you if you're not sledding like me, you can enjoy watching the thrill of excitement on their faces and take in the beauty all around. Aaron was at the top of the hill the entire time making sure the boys would be launched down that hill as fast as possible. Thanks Grandma Mary for the tube, it was a hit!