TravelingMel

Now, where did I leave off?

The next morning we slept in until 7 am, which is super late for us. It was light outside when we got out of bed. Thanks, Anders!

The boys and I started the morning off playing in the snow while H did dishes and stoked the fire. Thanks, H! The cabin had finally started to warm up.

"Does this snowsuit make my butt look big?" asked Finn.

Finn sitting down to hide his snowsuit butt.

"Mom, can you help me get up?" said Anders, clearly in distress.
"Sure, sweetie," said his loving mom. "Just let me snap a quick photo first."

Snow play in front of the cabin.

Then we headed down the road a couple miles to the Silver Crest Ski Trails. It had snowed for several days prior to our arrival (the woman at the Forest Service office said they got three feet) and then the storm moved on and we enjoyed bluebird sky perfect days.

The only downside to all that snow is that it made pulling the Chariot a lot of work. The ski trails are only groomed once a week (on Saturdays) so we had 5 days of snow to plow through. No problem.

Finn has a little snack before we go skiing.

Off like lightening!

We stopped at an overlook. All we could see were trees. So much for wide open spaces...pretty, though.

Shelter on the ski trail.

Lunch break.

After our ski we drove back to White Sulfur Springs for another swim and some dinner. We brought food to eat in the cabin, but by the time we were done swimming it was too late to go back and cook. Dinner was followed by playing in the cabin and another super easy bedtime.

Anders asked me to take his picture. Then he gave me this face.

Finn had to get in on the portrait action, too.

Anders works on the lacing cards before bed.

Coming in from the cold.

We've been talking about weaning Finn off the paci, but he finds it so soothing that it is hard to take it away from him. However, now that he is going two at a time, we might have to put our foot down. (That's right we only have one foot between us.)

Rigby and Diesel had special cabin privileges.

I made H come in and take this picture of us after we'd been in bed for awhile because even though it was dark, I knew the light of the flash would show Rigby's cuteness.

The next morning we went for a short ski, played in the snow, cleaned the cabin and restocked the woodpile. On the way home we stopped for our third swim in the hot springs pool (Anders' request).

Everyone pitches in. Except Finn who was sleeping in the Chariot.

Dogs panting away climbing a steep hill on a sunny day.

Rigby checks out Showdown, just across the canyon.

Big, flat snow crystals on my ski up Deadman's Trail.

Anders and I made a porcupine.

Last Saturday I took the day to ski by myself. Then I went to a movie and saw It's Complicated because that's what was playing when I got there. Turns out it was pretty good.

But, back to skiing. I skied a couple miles up the trail before it got too icy and steep. One or the other is ok, but not both. Back toward the trailhead and onto another trail.

The dogs looked cute the whole time.

Diesel sits nicely next to History Rock.

Rigby won't sit, but he still looks cute.

There are a lot of pictures of the dogs here, and not much else. I was standing around for awhile letting a couple women get ahead of me so we would stop leapfrogging.

A few days after Christmas Anders and I went to a birthday party for our friend, Katie. She's three. Her parents, and my friends--Jessica and Chris--had a little celebration for her at the Mill Creek cabin in the Mill Creek drainage of the Absaroka Mountains. Why, yes, that is the largest drainage in the west side of the Absaorkas.

To be honest, Anders was a little tired--and thus a bit cranky--but he did allow me to pull him around on a sled. He was also able to eat THREE pieces of pizzas and a cupcake. That plus a lot of hugs got him through the party.

There was a lovely fire outside, yummy chili on the stove and a delicious winter drink called "the ski hill" or something like that. (Jess correct me in the comments and share the recipe if you want...)

If you want to read more about renting Forest Service cabins, check out my post on my other site, which is from a Montana Parent article I wrote.

Anders enjoyed being pulled on the sled while I ran around in big circles. Rigby and Diesel loved being able to run free for a couple hours.

Rolling in the snow is one of Rigby's favorite winter pastimes.

Other slaves, I mean parents, pulling their kids around on sleds in front of the cabin.

Mill Creek cabin

Chowing down in the cabin.

The view from the front door. Not bad.

Happy Birthday Katie Bear!

Just in! Here it the super delicious recipe from Jess:

The Ultimate Ski Lift Drink:

1 shot Peach Schnapps
1 shot Coconut Rum
Top with hot chocolate, whipped cream and coconut sprinkles (for snow). Cheers!

I wrote an amazing post last night about our ski and sledding adventure. Due to a computer malfunction I lost it. Now I'm just uploading the photos and video. Too bad you missed the lyrical and thought provoking post. Maybe genius will strike again another time.

(Video at bottom)

The super cute hat I made a couple years ago matches this adorable sweater that was handed down to us. So, I got H to take a picture of the sweet hat/sweater combo.

Skiing over the creek is so fun!

Brothers Slederton

Working hard to pull the sled.

Not so hard after all.

We all know who this cutie is.

Diesel throwing the ball to me.

Rose hips.

A kiss from Rigby to you.

Just the guys.

Fun's over. Going home.

When Halloween was over I was ready to get rid of the pumpkins. They were sitting on my mantle after all and I feared dripping pumpkin slop.

I thought if I unceremoniously threw them in the rot pile in the backyard I might crush Anders and Finn's Halloween spirit forever. How would I answer Anders when he asked, "Mommy, where did my pumpkin go?"?

The end of holidays and other special occasions are something I have to deal with now. I'm a "it's over, get rid of it" kind of gal. Halloween is over, pumpkin is gone. Day after Christmas, decorations are down. Move on, people.

I am nothing if not sensitive to my kids' needs, though. So instead of having their pumpkins disappear in the middle of the night, I chopped them up while the kids watched.

(If you want to see the pre-gutted pumpkins, go here.)

Holy pumpkin, Batman. The pumpkins after they had been de-clowned and de-pirated.

Anders "smiles" while holding the raw seeds.

Freshly toasted and fragrantly delicious.

The boys enjoying their pumpkin innards.

Anders and Finn ate a few seeds, but they were more into the process than the end result. Lucky for me, because I got to eat the rest of them.

A few seeds does not a dinner make, so I whipped up some kiwi/banana/almond milk/spinach smoothies. And some real dinner, too.

Mmmmm...smoothie. My favorite travel mug is also in the picture, but you can't see it.

After we ate it was time to clean up. Why does it always seem like it is time to clean up? Oh, because it is.

The clean-up crew. Wonder why they push each other around to get under Finn's chair?

Rigby goes straight to the source.

At least I get some help once in awhile.