Black Star, Winter Carnival & Ski-Joring..whew!

Marti & I at the launch of Black Star!

"Old Slouch Hat" bluegrass band at the Great Northern Brewery....such a fun band!

Audrey, Madeline & I

Black Star Beer is back & the re-launch for the whole US was at The Great Northern Brewery!

Erin pouring a cold one for some thirsty customers.

Ravenna was in the parade with her gymnastics/dance class....hilarious!

So proud of her as she remembered her routine when I wasn't trying to get her attention.

We went & watched the "Yetty Snow Skate Jam".

And the Penguin Plunge

Marcus & Audrey manning the Great Northern Brewery bus "shorty" at Ski-Joring.

Stephan's cousin Jesse is a farrier & we got to watch him shoe some horses...very cool!

A skier getting pulled by a horse while going through an obstacle course = ski joring.

We caught up with their cousin Banyan. He is so cute!

Jesse enjoying the end of fun day.

Charis & Pete after the ski joring event. Jesse pulled Pete in the open division.

Getting a pint of beer by horse.....you gotta' love Montana!

Monkeys on skis!

On top of the mountain at the Summit House!
Winter 2009/2010 has been so much fun for us! We live 20 minutes from Whitefish Mountain Resort, have a ski locker (so no loading up skis in the morning), and two kids who love are loving it! I have to brag as we are so proud of our 2 little monkeys & how well & quickly they have taken to their dad's most favorite sport. Ravenna & Hudson are on the skiing 2-3 times a week & always ask when they are going next. No more bunny hill for them, unless they want to go off the jumps of course. We are even skiing some blue runs with them.....whoo hoo! This will be a very memorable winter for Stephan & I.

Thumbs up from Ravenna!

Thumbs up from Hudson!

First day in December on the bunny hill, with the leash's.

On top of the mountain at the Summit House!

Getting ready for the jumps on the bunny hill terrain park.

Hudson going off a jump, before he bit the dust.

Love this picture of them playing outside of the lodge.

My guy...isn't he foxy?

Pretty view & great skiing.

Birthday week in Montana

We had a fun couple of weeks over here as we celebrated 3 birthdays. The first was Julia's birthday sledding party. Steven & Grace had the perfect sledding hill picked out, right outside of Glacier National Park. The next party was for Ravenna's birthday. We had a swim party for her at The Wave in Whitefish. The last party was for little Riley May at Mel & OB's house. It was a busy end of January with all these birthdays. We had a great time at each event & so did the kids. We love having this extended family over here & being able to see them so often.

Hudson heading back up the hill.

Daddy & Ravenna after a ride down the big hill.

Daddy heading down.

Ravenna & Apanhi

OB with a sled full of kiddos, 6 to be exact. You can't see Julia on the far side.

Sicilia & Audrey.....love candid photos like these.

The birthday girl....sweet Julia.

Audrey heading down with Hudson & Cody & Aunt Loretta getting ready to go.

Riley May, the almost 1 year old.

Aunt Vicki & Aunt Loretta

Mel, me, & Audrey right before our near disastrous ride. The big tube was my favorite.

Cash, Marcus & Zoey & Elyse on the little hill.

Beautiful Glacier National Park in the winter & the wall tent Steven & Rich set up.

Nana & Papa were in town over Ravenna's birthday. We are so lucky they come over this way often.

Look who's 4 years old.

Showing off a present from grandma & grandpa.

Our 2 little monkeys.

Ravenna in a birthday outfit from grandma & grandpa.

Her birthday party at school.

Opening a present from Aunty Kristie, Uncle Robbie, Delaney & Makena. Oh how they love Playdoh & oh the messes.

Posing by her pink, princess cake.

Our little Ravenna, "Boo", little one, RK Mei, "venna". How thankful we are each day to have her in our lives. We are so fortunate & thankful for the day she made us parents back on December 11th, 2006, our "gotcha day". We will forever be grateful to her birth mother for making her decision which ultimately led us to our sweet daughter. Happy 4th birthday Ravenna...we love you so.

Swimming with daddy & Hudson.

Everyone in the pool, except mommy who was busy documenting.

Make a wish!