River Rock Lodge

While we were in Montana, Mike and I snuck away for a night without kids.  We checked in to the River Rock Lodge.  We rented a suite with a fireplace.

 It was a beautiful room, all trimmed in wooden accents.

 Steam shower/separate tub

 Fireplace by infinity hot tub

 Right along the banks of the Gallatin River

 We drove up to Big Sky and rode the Snowcat up to a Yurt for a Montana style dinner.

 We rode up on top of Old Bessie, so we had to bundle up.

 Inside the yurt

 Yurt outside.  We sledded while dinner was being made.

 Morning photos of River Rock Lodge

 More bighorn sheep on the way out of the canyon

Christmas gifts

Santa came and brought each of the boys a Lego set.

Waterslide

Later that evening, we opened a few gifts and then headed over to Janelle & Terry's hotel which had an indoor waterslide.  The boys had a fun time going down the slide.

Backyard fun

Justin loves to build a fire in Carl & Inez's back yard.

 After our dog sledding, we came back and Terry, Janelle & Breann were there.

 Justin had fun making hot chocolate around the fire.

 Janelle & Inez

A journey like no other

This was our Christmas gift to each other.  A once in a lifetime experience if you will.

We got up early and headed up to Moonlight Basin to take a team of dogs out with sleds.  We were very bundled up as the temperature was -11.

 Several of these dogs had run the Iditarod and some had run the Quest races.  As soon as we hooked up the teams, the barking and jumping began.  According to the owner, they do not make very good pets as they are working dogs, much like a draft horse would be to a farm.  When they are in their harnesses, you have to hold their front paws off the ground or they will take off, dragging you along in the snow.

 Jarin is ready to go!

 Justin too!

 It's true what they say...Unless you're the lead dog, the scenery never changes.  Jarin and I rode in the sled, but we all took turns driving.  The kids drove as well.

 Lone Peak

 We stopped along the trail and tethered the dogs to a tree.  The guides served up homemade chocolate chip cookies and hot chocolate.

 Family photo shoot

We encountered big horn sheep on the road on the way out of the canyon.

 The beautiful Gallatin River

Snowy snapshots

This hawk decided to hang out in my in-laws back yard for a few minutes.

 Deer were down by the Museum of the Rockies

 Old barn at the Museum of the Rockies

Carl's 70th birthday surprise

While we were in Montana, my father-in-law turned 70.  As soon as we got home from sledding, his brother and sister and some of the family showed up.

 We had dessert and coffee, then Phyllis suggested we go to Johnny Carino's (where the party was).  She told him she wanted to take him out to dinner.  He didn't suspect anything.

 A quick picture before we left of the mountains

 The cake at the restaurant

 Alvin & Connie visiting with Mike and Cecelia

 Janelle & Terry arrive

 Rocky R. came

 And Udo, Demaris and Erica C. brought Scott R. with them.

 Carl with siblings Phyllis & Alvin, Mike & Janelle, Inez and Phyllis's son, Kylie

 Alvin, Phyllis & Carl

 A happy 70th party