Madeline's Ramblins: Winter fun in snowy MT

Here are some pictures to document our fun in MT. Madeline had a blast playing in the snow and Olivia was quite content to stay warm inside.

Grandma Fun Time:

Grandma had a few fun activities planned for Madeline to pass the time indoors. They made an awesome gingerbread house together.

All smiles with the finished product. Only a "few" marshmallows were consumed during the creation of the house!

Olivia got her fair share of Grandma fun time, too!

Madeline loved her "cutting book" she received for Christmas. She and Grandma did a number of the crafts together. Madeline is a mean machine with scissors!

Madeline's Farm Chores:

Madeline was Grandpa's extra hand around the farm. She loved feeding the llamas each day. I think this was partly due to the fact that she got to bundle up in her completely pink snow getup!

She also got put to work hauling in the firewood, but she didn't complain!

Snow Fun:

This was really the first time that Madeline was able to enjoy the snow. The last time we were in MT in the winter she was only 18 months and just tolerated being outside. This time she had a blast and couldn't get enough of the snow.


All bundled up and ready to go!

This is Olivia's bundled look! She didn't spend much time outdoors as it was just too cold for her! Next time!!

This is her "Hollywood" look

Mommy and Madeline


This is the life!

"Are you coming?"

Enjoying a mega MT popsicle

"Faster, Daddy, faster!"

"Faster, Grandpa, faster!"

All smiles

The wintery road back to the cabin

Olivia got to experience her first snow. Brian loves this picture and the following sequence. He gives them the following captions..."I saw a Yeti and it was this big"

"Yeah, I'm serious I really did"

"Haha, you fell for that. I was just kidding!!"

It's Playtime:

There was plenty of time to enjoy playing with family and new toys.

Making music with Grandpa

Super happy girl!

I love my new winkel toy!

Snuggle time with daddy

Computer time with Grandma

Olivia tries out the hauling capacity of the new dump truck

Bryant takes his turn checking out the new truck

Playing with the new Christmas toys

Olivia spends some time with her favorite Sophi at the cabin

Staying warm inside the cabin

Olivia made sure to schedule plenty of naps into her packed schedule!

Grandpa's Branding Party:

Grandpa made this rocking horse for me when I was just a wee little one, branded with the rocking H symbol. He surprised us on Madeline's 2nd Christmas, when he refurbished the horse and added the flying M brand. It is now tradition that each new grandchild will receive their special brand on Grandpa's rocking horse. We held a branding party to inaugurate Olivia and Bryant into the rocking horse club.

Designing the brands...we each got one vote

Grandpa branding Olivia's O bar C

I think she approves

Bryant showing off his diamond B brand

Ice Fishing:

Madeline was initiated into the sport of ice fishing. Brian found a pink pole at a quick gas station stop and this pole turned out to be the "trout slayer" as he called it.

A picturesque setting for the ice house

All smiles and not cold yet!

Waiting to catch the big one!

Nice and toasty inside Grandpa's ice shack

I'd call that a pretty successful day of ice fishing. The fish on the bottom was the first one caught...by Madeline

Beautiful Winter Scenery:

A big part of me really misses winter in MT. I get nostalgic seeing all the snow and the winter scenery is breathtaking. The snow glistening in the sun, the way the snowflakes darken the sky, the silence of it all. Luckily I was able to get my fill of some beautiful scenery during our visit. Here are some of my favorite shots...