Elkhorn Hotsprings Weekend

This time last weekend we joined the Harrison Family (see Melynda's blog for her account of the weekend) for our 2nd Annual Winter Ski / Fun Weekend (that's what I am calling it at least).   Last year we joined them in Neihart, MT for some downhill skiing at Showdown Ski Resort and XC skiing at Kings Hill Pass.   This year we met up in Polaris, MT at Elkhorn Hotsprings.  They are an excellent family to "travel" with because they, like us, are independent, fun and just ready to go.

This is the face of winter fun! 

We met up with them on Friday at the Patagonia Outlet in Dillon for some shopping and then caravanned through the beautiful Pioneer Mountain Valley to our destination.  We stayed in the cabins there at the "resort."  I use this term loosely because despite the quaint appeal of the exterior, they are "rustic" in most ways.  We didn't seem to mind the sagging, three legged beds, or the archaic wood stove that was either really HOT or OFF.  We didn't even mind the drafty outhouse, shared by the culdesac of cabins --- there was SNOW!  Sadly, snow has been hard to come by this winter and we are just fortunate we only had to drive 3 hours to find it.

Peter and Henry quickly packed down a sledding course with snow shoes and the kids spent most of the weekend screeching down the hill and asking to be pulled back up the hill.  Thank goodness the dads took care of most of the treks back UP hill.  I manned the landing at the bottom of the hill and made sure the kids didn't go off course and careen into the outhouse or trees.

I am not sure I have ever seen Mattie have more fun.  She LOVED the sledding.  She NEVER got too cold, wet or tired.  She even did about an hour of sledding at abbot 8pm IN THE DARK with her headlamp on (which is also a favorite possession and great toy for a kid, thank you cousin Gwenna).

We intermingled some walks across the bridge to the hot springs to soak in the mineral pools, a little bit of XC skiing (this consisted of a very slow ski/walk on the road) and for Mattie, some walking around in her snowshoes, rolling in snow, and eating snow.  The dogs were also quite happy getting to run and frolic and be free of fences for the weekend.

There is also a very "Montana-esque" lodge/restaurant that served food and a continental breakfast each morning (included with our cabin rental).

The Hoffmann's came down for a bit on Friday night and a bit of sledding on Saturday too.

It was a great weekend that helped us feel like we actually live in Montana for a winter.  I wonder where next year's destination will be?  Somewhere that can accommodate ANOTHER little kiddo .... that's for sure!

cousin time in the cabin - sleeping bags and a floor - always good entertainment! 

morning snuggles with my gal... doesn't get any better (unless it was on a not-so-creepy bed)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

We are ringing in the New Year in Dillon with Pete's sister Amy and Eric (and of course cousins Cash and Jhett).  The kids are having more fun than I could ever show you in pictures or words.  We occasionally have to break up a fight (usually involving sharing a tractor, hat or ball); but for the most part they disappear to "shoot monsters"  "jump on beds" and play with all their Christmas toys.  We can't keep clothes on Matine this trip (shocker) so most of the time she is feral in diaper only.  

We have a little bit of snow so they get kicked outside as much as possible to sled, throw snowballs, or their declared favorite activity of "falling in the snow."  

We went to Elkhorn Hot Springs in the Pioneer Mountains yesterday (a first for most of us) and it was heaven.  Snow all around, warm water and happy swimming babies.  Jhett and Matine are FISH and couldn't get enough.  Cash is still on the fence as to whether he really likes the water or not.   We have already planned a trip back to Elk Horn to rent a cabin and soak more.  There is a ton of cross country skiing practically out the cabin doors, a cute restaurant, and of course, hot natural spring water!   Our kind of place!  

Today we will head down to the arena on the La Cense Ranch where they are doing a bulldogging and break-a-way roping contest/benefit (yes, I just asked Eric and Peter what the heck that was).  Should entertain the kids for a while!  I am sure Matine will love an excuse to wear her chaps, gun and holster in public.

Tonight we will try to stay awake until midnight, eat some appetizers made of elk, and ring in the New Year with our family... We feel very lucky and happy to have had such a great year and look forward to a very eventful 2012!  

Our best to you - our friends and creepy stalkers on the world wide web!

Cheers,  The Howells

Keely and Tom!

What a wedding!  Truly one of the most romantic, sweet, beautiful, meaningful and fun weddings I have ever been to.  Keely and Tom are two of those people who are honestly, "soul mates."  I know, I know... so cheesy and let me tell you, I don't use that term lightly, if ever.  You just see them together and you know it is 100% right.   My friend since 3rd grade was the most gorgeous bride I have ever seen.  She glowed.  All the other bridesmaids were a blast, Tom's friends and family was terrific.  I could have hung out with all of these people the rest of my life.

It was at a gorgeous place called Devil's Thumb Ranch just outside of Winter Park, CO.  Top of the line, classy, beautiful place.  Mom, Matine and I made the trip into a girls weekend and we had a BLAST!  We started in Denver with 2 nights of City living, shopping and eating.  We had no idea what awaited us at this Ranch.  We felt very important and fancy.  Matine got right into the groove of things, loved calling room service for some toast and fruit, and thought it was VERY fun that she could talk on a telephone while pretending to poop on the potty.   She kept talking about how comfortable the beds were and what a good nights sleep she had.   Thanks to the saintliness of my mother, I was able to enjoy all the wedding festivities and commitments with Keely and girls, all knowing Mattie and mom were entertaining themselves with hot tubs, petting zoos, game rooms, fancy meals in the lodge and cozy naps in the nice sheets!  

On the day of the wedding it took mom, dad and Rosa (yes, they drove in from Tulsa too) to corral Mattie during the ceremony and reception.  She was so anxious to see Keely in her "pretty white dress" and "dance" that she could hardly pay attention to anything else.  And did she dance.  She danced from the first song she could until 9:30... non-stop. Only stopping long enough to request that I bring her water to the dance floor.  Seriously, she refused to stop dancing, she told me to bring it to her - she wouldn't walk to the table to drink it.  She had every young and old person at the wedding laughing and trying to take a turn with her on the floor.   We have SUCH a party girl!

All in all - one of the most memorable weeks of my life. I ADORE time with my mom like that, loved that I could share Mattie with her and my friends, and just enjoyed a nice, fun change of pace and a little bit of much needed indulgence.   The only near catastrophe was our attempt to go to Ikea with Mattie after she had no nap... WHAT WERE WE THINKING?  We were so excited to go to Ikea without men.... I thought I could leave her at the daycare in the store but alas, she had to be potty trained to stay there.  I was almost cursing her non-potty trained bottom the entire, grueling 2 + hours of Ikea Hell.  Here's to LOVE and GIRLS WEEKENDS!