ice fishing

While we were in Hazelton before Christmas Mikel got a chance to go ice fishing with his dad and some others.

Any chance to fish is a good day in Mikel's life!

mmmmm..... fish

Gerald fishing

the day's catch for the group

a happy boy!

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...