Christmas in Manhattan,Montana, USA.

This Christmas we were blessed with Joel's mom and her husband Gregg joing us for the weekend. We started out by attending the annual Candlelight service at church and then a wonderful dinner afterward. I , of course, cried and was emotional missing my extended family but that is just what happens when everyone is scatterd accross the globe.

Christmas day brought about much laughter, present opening and then playing with Kadence and Joel's new toys all day with of course more eating. Since we all apparently have recovered from our flu bout and now have normal appetites.

Joel received a small Helicoptor from my parents and a Airplane from his mom. So at times our house felt like an airfield. If you can picture a helicopotor flying around the living room and a little boy chasing it with his new play gun shouting, "shoot, shoot the heli-coptor". Yes my friends we had a bit of a whirlwind and mess which i tried to overlook in the festive mood of the season. Tomorrow though i attack my whirlwind cleaning, dont worry mom the house will be sorta clean by the time you get here

A few Nebraska Trip Pictures

Our grandma and Kadence cuddling before night night.

Joel and Kadence in front of side entrance to Memorial Stadium.

Our future Nebraska Cornhusker Football Player

Birthday dinner at Spagetti Works in Lincoln.

Sometimes life doesn't turn out as rosy as you plan or the best intentions. Our latest trip to Nebraska was proof of that fact. We met the rest of the family in Weeping Water to stay with grandma and visit with mom, dad and Jennifer's family. Unfortunant circumstances involving stomach flu hitting the entire family put a very large damper on activities and visiting. However even though plans didn't go well iam still thankful for the time we were able to spend and be around each other. Therefore i didnt get very many photos as picture taking was not top on my priority list. :

I suppose one of the many joys of family is being able to look back and laugh at the uncomfortable times and look ahead to better ones. Granted that no one is in very good moods after vomiting for 2 days and not being able to eat. Ohhh well I love you all and am thankful to see you hopefully next visit will be much more pleasant.

The Soldiers Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone. I had come down the chimney with presents to give And to see just who in this home did live. I looked all about a strange sight I did see, No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand, On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands. With medals and badges, awards of all kind A sober thought came through my mind. For this house was different, so dark and dreary, I knew I had found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly. I heard stories about them, I had to see more So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door. And there he lay sleeping silent alone, Curled up on the floor in his one bedroom home. His face so gentle, his room in such disorder, Not how I pictured a United States soldier. Was this the hero of whom I'd just read? Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed? His head was clean shaven, his weathered face tan, I soon understood this was more than a man. For I realized the families that I saw that night Owed their lives to these men who were willing to fight. Soon `round the world, the children would play, And grownups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day. They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year, Because of soldiers like this one lying here. I couldn´t help wonder how many lay alone On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home. Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees and started to cry. The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice, "Santa don´t cry, this life is my choice; I fight for freedom, I don´t ask for more, my life is my God, my country, my Corps." With that he rolled over and drifted off into sleep, I couldn´t control it, I continued to weep. I watched him for hours, so silent and still, I noticed he shivered from the cold night´s chill. So I took off my jacket, the one made of red, And I covered this Soldier from his toes to his head. And I put on his T-shirt of gray and black, With an eagle and an Army patch embroidered on back. And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride, And for a shining moment, I was United States Army deep inside. I didn´t want to leave him on that cold dark night, This guardian of honor so willing to fight. Then the soldier rolled over, whispered with a voice so clean and pure, "Carry on Santa, it's Christmas Day, all is secure." One look at my watch, and I knew he was right, Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night!

Christmas tree cutting and some more scenery of the Bridger Mtns

Kadence being a big helper and helping me shut the gate so that the cows didnt get out.

This was shortly after we had finished looking for Elk and he was holding on so tight to his little Elk while he drove around with us.

The most beautiful tree ever hauled out by the cutest two boys.

Searching for the perfect tree. Kadence was having a hard time walking in the deep snow so he hitched a ride on daddys back.

Angela's Elk hunt that turned into a Deer Hunt.

A few Doe's running after I shot the Buck. At first they ran straight for us and were so close i could have tossed a rock and hit them.

Iam sure that you are wondering a little about this but let me just say that this Buck was in the wrong spot at the wrong time. I shot him in the back(yes a little too high dad) and then someone else finished him off. I will let you guess who that was? I would like to state that i did assist in gutting him out and actually remembered most of the info. I was such a beautiful day hiking around the Bridger Mtns with Joel. So i did , while hunting mind you, squeeze in a few scenery shots. We did come accross a herd of Elk that were running obviously spooked by another hunter and didnt have time to get a shot off at them.

Still this Mule deer isn't that bad and hopefully Jennifer is in the mood for Venision as she is getting alot of this meat. :)

A time for hunting the meat...

Kadence and Joel beside the Cow Elk. This wasnt as exciting as the deer for him and he had a hard time understanding why we kept calling the Elk a "cow". :) Especially when he had just got to pet one of the real cows on the ranch earlier in the day. He told me, "No mommy those are cows(pointing at the ranch cows) this is an mommy Elk". Pretty cute, I really tried hard to explain but iam still not so sure he understood.
The Whitetail deer that Joel shot. Kadence was sooo excited and proud of his daddy and getting to see the deer. He kept running in cirlces clapping his hands saying"yah yah daddy shooting".

Another Whitetail deer pic near the kill site.

This is during mid day looking up the mtn scouting for Elk on the ridgeline.

My little man

I haven't posted a nice photo of Kadence and I for a while so I thought that since we both got our hair cut today it would be a good opportunity. He is growing so big and learning so many things very fast.
At 2 1/2 years old Kadence enjoys his play animals and trucks. He still likes to read alot and is very interested about vehicles and most recently books about Dinosaurs. Since the weather has turned cold lately playing outside in the snow has also been a new excitement. i have been teaching him shapes and he has memorized them very quickly this week.
He is very affectionate and very much my little buddy and helper. Whatever task or chore I am working on he is always ready to help and saying "I try mommy, I try".
Iam reminded to thank the Lord every day for giving me the gift of Kadence and the light he is to me and others. It is so touching to me how he already is learning to talk to Jesus and watching his tender heart toward others.
Children really are such a blessing from God and I think I am only starting to realize how very special.

A time for chopping and grinding Elk meat.

I know this sounds very redneck but in keeping with my title themes i couldn't resist. Joel's friend Garrin recently shot a large Elk in western Montana. I have been so eager to try out my new Kitchen Aid attachment so we decided to try a sample batch and ended up with about 15lbs of yummy tasting burger. We used fresh bacon as the fat addition which also lends a nice natural flavor to the ground burger. Now that we are pros at the grinding we are excited for Joel to get his big Elk. (cross your fingers !)

The scenery pictures were taken on the way up to our friends house by the base on the Bridger Mtns. The sun was just setting so i was a little late on lighting but wanted to share them anyway.(i did photo shop the first one trying to lighten it up a little)

"A time for Snow.." (LOTS OF IT )

We were blessed with over two feet of snow in the mtns and about a foot at our house, all in one day. Kadence and i had so much fun building a snowman and running around playing in the snow. He had so much fun finding the rocks for the buttons and puttting the arms on his"sman". You can see the very proud look on his face as he is standing next to our sculpture. Of yes he did start out with gloves on but they just wouldnt stay on his hands. :)