Grampa's 60!

My dad turned the big 6-0 on the 21st. He was told several years ago (early 90's) that he most likely wouldn't see his 60th birthday...leave it to my dad to prove everyone wrong...he's 60, feeling good, and still the cowboy we know & love!

We went home over the weekend to help celebrate his birthday...and our little Ella Leigh's birthday...she turned the big 6!

We got to Gramma & Grampa's a day before everyone else so the boys got to spend some quality time at the farm. They even got to go out and help Grampa feed some cows!

In the tractor loading up the feedtruck.

Ben even went along in the feedtruck for a bit.

One excited little boy!

Grampa and his little farmhand.

Everything's better at Gramma's.

Grampa with Coy (15 mos) & Zach (22 mos)

Ben & Grace...definite little buddies. I saw a saying recently that said, "Gramma's house, a place where cousins go to become best friends"... so true!

Ben, Zach, Grace & Coy...sitting on the hottest seats at Grammas.

'Little' Coy Boy.

We had a little open house for my Dad in at the community building. Lots of people stopped by to help celebrate his milestone with us!

Mom & Dad...looking mighty good!

Gavin (2 1/2) & Zach...being silly.

Grampa had lots of balloons at his party!

Birthday girl Ella, Kenna & Grace

This is usually what the trip home from Gramma & Gramp'as looks like...

Sleigh Ride

We were tired of the snow missing Bozeman so we headed up to Big Sky and went on a sleigh ride at 320 Ranch. It was such a perfect evening...warm (in fact it was raining when we left home...and best of all, it snowed the whole time we were up there!

One of the sleighs hooked up ready to go.

Ben getting acquainted with the horses...he's come a long way with his comfort level around horses thanks to Grampa & Gramma's farm!

Fun!

Ben got to sit shot gun with the driver...he thought it was pretty cool!

Let's roll! The driver was telling us the horse's names and he said one was Joe...Ben asked if the other was Hayden. :) Clearly he admires his 2 'big' cousins! :)

Such pretty horses!

Zach was actually crabby pants when we left home so we were a little nervous, but he was loving it too! The horses were a little wound up so the driver had to kind of pull em up a lot and would shout 'eaasssy'...so Zach started copying him on the ride.

We rode up to a campfire and this tent...inside they had popcorn, chili, cheese & crackers...and a bar of hot drinks. It was so nice out and these big snow flakes coming down...the boys were having so much fun running around and having their hot chocolate.

Downtime

While we love the holidays and the hustle and bustle of all the activity with friends and family...there's something to be said about enjoying some 'downtime' in the weeks that follow. We're still waiting for that snow to hit so we can get our snowmen and snowforts built, but in the meantime, we've just been hanging out and getting back to the norm.

The boys making sock puppets...

I'm not the craftiest person, but it's amazing how much fun kids have when you give them a simple little project to keep busy with!

Happy 2012!.

We had a lazy day of hanging out with friends...great way to start out the New Year! Kasey & Justin were here and then Bryce & Lez stopped out and brought Brady & Liv to play.

I didn't take many pictures, but made these 2 stand still long enough to take one. They are good little buds and it's been so fun watching the grow up together.

Zach tries his best to keep up! And little Liv too!!

So I could resist posting this. Every time Nick & Justin get together there is some sort of wrestling match...which usually results in Justin getting a sore knee/leg/arm/finger...sorry J. :) So you could imagine how proud he was to get Nick in this headlock (armbar?) No mention on how much there was to drink up to this point. ha

Come on Justin...can't you find anyone your own size to pick on?

Big brother to the rescue.

Take that!

Ben and 'girl Kasey' (this is how he distinguishes her from Uncle Casey).