Hiking in Montana

After spending too many days inside looking at the mountains through the window, I was anxious to get out and get some fresh air! Andrew, Randy, Thomas, and I set out to enjoy the mountains and to hopefully find some wildlife. (I was terrified this wildlife we were so anxious to find might end up being a grizzly bear! Randy tried calming my fears by telling me to size up everyone we were with and figure out who I could run faster than because the slowest runner is the only one in grave danger... I didn't appreciate his insight because the slowest runner was definitely me!) After only about an hour of hiking, we came across a herd of bighorn sheep! The hike only reminded me of my great desire to eventually live near these beautiful mountains!

Elk Hunting

Andrew joined his dad for a day of elk hunting in Montana. They were blown away to find over 1000 elk! We all teamed up to cut and package the meet and later enjoyed elk steaks!

Buffalo Jump

Andrew (the brave soul he his) loaded Thomas, Raedon, Laeton, and Elizabeth into the suburban and headed to a place called Buffalo Jump. They all had a great time climbing around and looking for buffalo bones!

Let us celebrate His birth!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve in Montana

After the Christmas Eve service, our family headed to Famous Daves to spent some time together. We enjoyed great food and Elizabeth loved drinking from her straw!

Christmas with the Maloneys!

We celebrated Christmas early with my parents since most of our time was spent in Montana. Grandma, Margaret, and Rexanne joined us for a day of good food and Elizabeth's favorite part, presents. Actually, once Elizabeth opened her baby stroller from Aunt Sarah and Uncle Lee, she was uninterested in anything else! When she tore off the wrapping paper she very carefully took each 1" piece of paper and gingerly placed it in the trash bag! It took us awhile before we taught her that it's okay to make a mess with the paper this time!

Home for Christmas

Elizabeth and I headed to Rapid City a week before Andrew to watch Raedon and Laeton for a week. Elizabeth had a blast with her two cousins and they totally loved spending time with Elizabeth! We spent our time bowling, baking cookies, seeing Storybook Island decorated with Christmas lights (which of course included riding a train around the park), singing in Christmas concerts and eating pizza! I loved spending time spoiling the boys (that's what an Aunt's suppose to do, right?). The sad news from the week is that I lost my camera with all of my pictures on it... I'm scraping pennies together to buy a new one but until then, we will be borrowing cameras or just plain picture-less for a couple months. Life will go on!

My how time flies...

I have to apologize for the huge space in posts...you know how things go! Elizabeth continues to grow and change all the while remaining sweet and innocent (until the temper tantrum breaks through...). Here are some pictures from December. You'll see Elizabeth with one of her favorite uncles, Mike.

Andrew and I got all dolled up for an evening out for the Medical School's Christmas party. I cherish those evenings when it's just the two of us!

Making friends

Elizabeth loved hanging out with Uncle Mike and his girlfriend Sam. By the way the basket Elizabeth's standing in usually holds all of her shoes... She emptied the basket out and carried it into the living room just to show Sam! Every day I'm blown away by how complex her little mind is already!

Checking the mail...

Whenever Elizabeth sees the red key fab (i.e. the mailbox key) she immediately begins reaching for the key and heading for the door. She loves to check the mail! There must be some excitement about walking down the hall of our apartment and then being able to put the key in the lock... Look how proud she is!