And Now For the Christmas 2013 Update

Finally a Christmas update.  We traveled to Minnesota this year to spend Christmas with my family.  Its about a 10.5 hour drive with no kids and tack on a bit with kids.  We stopped the first night in Bismarck to make the journey east a little more enjoyable.

Winter travels.

Baby traveling.

We made it a few days before the festivities and got plenty of family time.  But first I made a quick trip to Detroit Lakes to hang out with the Rachels.  These beautiful ladies are my high school friends and stood with me at my wedding as bridesmaids.

Now on to Staples, MN with the family.  Sledding time.

Cousin Bo and Grace.

Video of Grace going down the hill alone:



One of the twins...no I can't tell the difference all bundled up in snow gear.

The other twin.

Cousins Finn and Soren getting ready to use the old toboggan.

Mari (my sister in law, mother to Soren and the twins, Lukas and Bjorn).

Cousin Beck.

Sled dog Tuff pulling Bo in the video below:



Now reverse rolls and Bo and Soren sled dog:



Warming up inside with the cousins and a game of catch the fish.

The next day we were out again on the slopes.

My brother Derek and I.

Tuff's snowman Olaf.

We watched Finn, Beck and Bo play some hockey.  Finn is #15 below.

Duff on the time.  At this stage its all parent volunteers, including transportation to all games.

Between periods and the Zamboni comes out.

In another game Beck and Bo, in the photo below (Beck in center and Bo camera right).

Grace loving the between whistle music in the video below:



Post hockey Tower Pizza stop with Aunty Cydy.



Christmas Eve morning we hung out with our friends the Anderson family.  In the picture below is Sara and Gabe, Tuff and Mary.  I graduated high school with Gabe and then we hung out when we lived in Nashville, as he resides there.

Christmas Eve at Grandma Rach's house, Rachin' Around the Christmas Tree.  There were around 60 family members in attendance.

First cousins.  Not all in attendance but a good showing.

 Some more family, Christy and Mari.

Some of Grandma Rach's great grandchildren.

Goodie all dressed up.

Christmas Day feast at my parents home with immediate family and Grandma Rach, Uncle Joe and Aunt Barb.

The family photo.

 And a goofy one of course.

Grandma Rach.

Did we mention it was wicked cold while we were in Minnesota?  Check out Tuff throwing boiling water into the air in the video below:



Some sisterly love watching the Vikings play their last game in the Metrodome.

Road trip back to Montana and Tuff woke me up to the smoke and flames as seen in the photo below.

It was the train derailment in Cassleton, North Dakota.  We approached it from interstate 94 just minutes after the first few explosions occurred.

We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God

My friend Kacia posted an excerpt from My Utmost for His Highest on her facebook today that was an encouragement to me as our family goes through this stage in life.  "We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God."  We haven't updated the past two years on what we are doing because we have nothing concrete to report.  And today I was encouraged that nothing concrete is ok.  But I'll let you all know that we are starting a non-profit, One Heart Apsaalooke.  Our mission:  One Heart Apsaalooke exists to restore complete health to the Crow people through education, leadership development, discipleship training, while partnering with the body of Christ to fulfill what the word of God commissions.  

It is now two years beyond the call that God put on Tuff's and our family's lives to pursue a specific vision.  It is through this non-profit that part of the vision can come to fruition.  I have held back from sharing anything because there was not 100% certainty with exactly what we were doing, and what, who and when the non-profit will serve.   We haven't officially launched to the public yet but we are anticipating a launch this spring, shortly following our board retreat in February.  Thank you Kacia for giving me the courage to speak out in uncertainty.  We are right where we are supposed to be.  

Just two days ago my Grandpa Reuben passed away peacefully at the age of 90.  The picture above is from summer 2012 with just a few of Grandpa's legacy of great grand children.  He brought a smile to everyone and the kids loved him.  I miss him very much already, and even sending this blog update reminds me of him, as he loved reading the updates on his email.  

Give me a few days to update on Christmas.  Our camera is back in our possession and now I need to sift through photos for an update.  Until then...

Christmas Card Shenanigans 2013

This year Tuff came up with a "hair" theme for the Christmas card.  So we enlisted in my mom's help.  She shipped us some wigs, we dressed up, posed as a traditional family photo, and voila.

Some other options.

Tuff cracks me up in this one.

Amazing Grace kept the wig on.

After several photos, attempting to get Grace to look at the self timer camera, we realized we could set the camera in front of the TV.  Then instead of looking at the camera, we all looked at the movie on TV, straight faced.  Making of the card video:



The snow days continued on through December.

 And the eating of it too.

While I'm away at work...Daddy-Daughter days.

We traveled to Minnesota for Christmas.  It will be a few weeks before I can get you this update.  We left our camera behind and are waiting for my mom to ship it this way!  And lots more to update on soon.  We hit 12 weeks in our pregnancy this past Sunday.  Baby is the size of a plum...or something like that.