we are so cute!

Without fail, my aunts Brandy, Barbara, and I take this picture every year. 

The good news: we just keep getting cuter!

whirlwind holiday

It has been a whirlwind of a couple weeks since Mikel and I left Dillon at the end of the fall semester!

About two weeks ago, we left Dillon for Hazelton to spend some time with Mikel's family. We had time to catch up and Mikel got to do some ice fishing and making some calls with his dad and we got some time to relax. Without fail, regardless of whether I'm in undergrad, graduate school, or teaching/coaching, the end of the semester wipes me out. The emotional and physical letdown at the end of the semester always causes me to spend a couple days absolutely wiped. I generally sleep more than normal and am generally spent! It's nice to relax but somehow, after nine years of college, I still usually don't see it coming and expect it! One of these days I'll remember!

Anyways, it was great to be in Hazelton and get to visit and catch up. One of the worst parts of having families far away and far apart is Mikel and I can't be at both families in the same day. We never get to spend as much time as we want or see them as often as we want. Either way, we definitely appreciate the time we have and the families we are blessed with!

snow fun

This past weekend, we were invited to go to one of our friend's cabin and go Christmas tree hunting with some friends. We have already put up our fake tree but went along for the fun!

They had an extra four wheeler for Mikel and I to ride.

getting ready for the ride

wearing A LOT of layers

some cool old buildings we saw

sun setting over the ski hill

Ben and Melissa and their Christmas tree

I was really cold at this point (mostly my feet)

Jay and Mikel

It was a really fun trip but I was glad to get back and sit by the fire to regain feeling in my extremities!

only in Dillon

The Dillon Tribune is the local newspaper here in Dillon and it only comes out once a week on Wednesdays. Yes, the local paper is only new once a week. There are other newspapers from bigger cities like Butte and Missoula that come out daily but that's beside the point. 

There is a paper (if it can be called that) that comes out every day. This is the Dillionite Daily and it is a small town, family production. It covers the local news and such and has some really random stuff in it as well. 

I couldn't pass up an opportunity to share this gem from the Dillionite today. Only in Dillon...

we look good

2011 Lady Bulldogs at the Frontier Conference Tournament 

painting time

Now that the season is over, there is time for projects! I love thinking of them but Mikel is better on the follow through (I guess that makes us a good pair). 

We are working on sprucing up the volleyball locker room and this painting project was step #1.

My cricket came in handing for making the letters and lots of patience was crucial for the rest. It came out great and now we're onto the next project!

only in Dillon

I bet I'm the only one who heard this today:

"Sorry I'm late; I would have been here sooner but there was a cow loose in town and I had to take a detour."

Yup, you read that right. There was a COW loose in town. (And yes, my first question was if Mikel managed to get a picture. The police diverting traffic probably wouldn't have taken too kindly to that though so you'll have to trust us on this one.)

Mikel was on his way to the university to help do some renovations in the volleyball locker room and apparently there was a cow in the middle of the road. Two guys had roped in and were fighting it to get it in a horse trailer thing. This isn't the edge of town either (or really close to any fields) so we're not sure how the cow got to that point but it did!

Just another Thursday in Dillon!

just another day in the kitchen

Yea right! While I do spend enough time in the kitchen to ensure neither Mikel I or starve, I'm not exactly Susie Homemaker by any stretch of the imagination!

However, while I was home for Thanksgiving, my mom and I decided to try making cake pops. By "we decided" I really mean my mom decided that she wanted to try it and I was the lucky victim that got to help. 

It was actually really fun and they turned out so good! 

They were definitely a hit at Thanksgiving!

the finished product

sugary deliciousness 

how can you have Christmas without snow??

Since I have moved to places where that white stuff falls from the sky during the holidays, I regularly get comments on how it's just not Christmas without cold weather and snow. Although I understand the association for them, I have to say that it's just not a problem for me!

Riding my bike to my grandparents on Christmas morning in shorts sounds like a wonderful Christmas to me!! No snow necessary!

Although it wasn't quite Christmas yet, the weekend after Thanksgiving I was at San Clemente with my parents and had the most WONDERFUL beach day weather.

Warmth and sun combined with views like this somehow help me get through the holidays without show!

Thanksgiving fishing

Over the week of Thanksgiving, Mikel was so excited to go steelhead fishing with his cousins. He hasn't been able to go on this trip for a couple years because we were in Michigan so it was nice to have the opportunity this year. 

The boys were in Shoup and out of civilization and cell phone service for the whole week and had a blast!

Jake and Lucas 

Mikel's first catch of the week

Jake

Jake and Lucas

another one for Mikel

Bloxham guiding service

Mikel, Dominique, and Jake

one of the only buildings there

fishy fishy

a good day's work

two big horn sheep

beautiful

wildlife in the river

It was a great trip!

Thanksgiving 2011

One of the benefits of having both sides of the family so close to home is two Thanksgivings (maybe both a blessing and a curse with all the extra food)!

This year we were able to do one Thanksgiving celebration on Thursday and the other family on Friday!

the Bushman girls on Thursday

Mascari family hike on Friday

me and Michael resting on our hike