A Day on the River

Dylan, Addi, Landon and I bundled up and went fishing on the Missouri river below the dam. It was a beautiful winter day under our big, bright, blue sky. A few days ago Dylan went fishing at this spot  and 'slayed them' as he says. Our guide, Dylan did not guarantee us a big 'ol fish but had us thinking it would be a good show. It was a show alright! We watched Dylan miss 3 or so fish! I loved watching Dylan teaching Addi how to cast. She actually did very well and would chant, "Back and forth".

A very proud Daddy.

So serious.

Had one on.....but....

"Back"

"and Forth" Notice how she has the line in her left hand! A Natural! 

Her little fishing vest. The first thing we bought her when she was just our fetus!

She does everything with style!

He makes the river look good!

They had a little fish on, but lost it!

Dog Cookies

For the past several years I have baked homemade dog cookies for the special dogs in our life for Christmas! Today Addi and I made peanut butter-oatmeal cookies and beef biscuits and packaged them up in super cute snowmen bags.

I use a very basic dog biscuit recipe and add extras to make them a little different each year. They are made from the same human ingredients that I use to bake our cookies (with the exception of beef or chicken broth). Our dogs somehow that these cookies are for them and they wait near the oven while they cook! This year they received a stamp of approval by Mason and Kya!

Beef Biscuits

Peanut Butter-Oatmeal

A Video Message from Santa

My Aunt sent me a link to this adorable website where you can create a personalized video message from Santa Claus. I said, "Addison, Santa sent you an email!" Her expression was priceless! Her jaw dropped open and she inhaled loudly! Addison loved the video. Santa's special machine determined that she is on the nice list! She had her hands over her mouth in amazement through the whole thing!

Addison's personalized video

Cookie Bake

Grandma & Grandpa Powell came over last night for Grandma's annual cookie bake. We had a fun time making a ton of Christmas sugar cookies. This afternoon Grandma, Grandpa and Addi had a little outing around Helena. I stayed home and ate sugar cookies!

Christmas Tree cookie made out of stars!

I'm no artist...

... but this little creation makes me smile every time I walk into my room!

The Nutcracker

I had the wonderful privilege of being Addi's date to the Nutcracker this past Sunday! She is such a joy. She LOVED the Nutcracker and was full of questions and comments throughout the whole performance. She loved the orchestra, she loved the costumes and of course she loved the dancing.  If she wasn't completely obsessed with becoming a ballerina before, this certainly solidified it! After the holidays I am signing that girl up for dance lessons before she twirls herself bonkers!

Posing before our special outing.

Landon's Room

In the past few days I have been working on putting together Landon's room. When I was pregnant with Addi her room was ready for her since I was 6 months pregnant! With Landon it was so different. The thought of returning home to an empty crib and nursery was more than I knew I could have handled. I didn't want a baby room full of toys and clothes if I didn't have my baby to put in it. So we left his room as an office/spare/junk room throughout my pregnancy and a long time after he was born.


He is sleeping through the night the majority of nights now and he will be sleeping in his own room very soon. I figured he might need the crib set up to do that! Papa, Dylan and Addi worked on getting that done on Thanksgiving. After Addi was done with the crib we dissembled it and during our several moves, lost the screws and bolts. It took a long time in the hardware store and some creativity by Papa to get the thing standing and safe again.

Addi and I picked out a book shelf, put it together and filled it with books and toys for Landon. His dresser is full of perfectly adorable baby boy clothes. I found the perfect saying and stickers for his wall. Simple. Cute. Happy.

It is all ready for him to learn, laugh, grow and play in. Thank you Lord for that.

Landon really likes his room!!

Addison Lately in Words

Addi said, "Hey Dad gimme some of that green stuff outta your wallet." Dylan said, "What are you talking about?" "Your cash Dad, can I have it!??"

The other night Addi mentioned how beautiful the moon looked. I started explaining to her that people called astronauts have actually gone to the moon and looked back at Earth. After a thorough age appropriate explanation about space shuttles, the moon, space exploration and astronauts walking on the  moon Addi shook her head and said, "Hey little lady I really have no idea what you are talking about."

We were in the car and the radio had a reminder for daylight savings was on. It said, "Remember Saturday night, before you go to bed to set your clocks back." Addi said, "Set your clocks back before you go to bed? That doesn't make any sense!"

We were watching a TV and a store much like Macy's was on and it was decorated for Christmas. Addi asked me, "What is that place?" I said, "It is a store like Macy's." With great certainty she asked, "Oh, is that where Santa gets all the presents for the kids?"

"Mom, remember when you got the baby in the shower" She was remembering when I found out I was pregnant with Landon. I had a little inkling, but tried to not get to excited to really think I was pregnant already. We had only been "trying" for what felt like a few days. I peed on the stick and placed in on the windowsill and got into the shower. I just happened to glance at it a few minutes later, fully expecting it to say 'not pregnant' but it said, 'pregnant'. I started screaming, literally, so loudly. Addi was terrified and Dylan busted in fully prepared to protect me from whatever was attacking me. I don't think Addi will ever forget that and neither will I!

Hand Print Snowmen & Thumb Print Reindeer

My cousin sent me a link to this super fun Christmas project. Little Bit Funky is a great blog that I now check often for fun new ideas. Click on the link for directions.

These hand print snowmen and thumb print reindeer ornaments were so easy and really fun for Addi. She is excited to give her adorable little creations to her grandparents.

A Day in the Snow

What a beautiful winter day in Montana yesterday. The sky was the brightest blue it could be, there wasn't a cloud in the sky, it was cold and crisp, the wind was mild, the snow was sparkling and we were playing in the woods. We went on a short walk by the river and Addi & Dylan went sledding.

Rosy red sledding cheeks!