Lady Pioneers

We are having so much fun being a host family for an MCC basketball player.  The girls love Emma, and we have enjoyed going to the home games.  We are also getting to know some of the other players, and we had them all over for a meal during the Christmas break. 

Josie and Bailey put on a show for the girls, and I think they enjoyed the entertainment. 

Josie got our her doctor kit and decided to give a few checkups.  

Josie has no fear, and she took herself down to the front row of a men's game to sit with the lady players. Josie's favorite part of the game is when Emma comes out of the locker room after her game.  So cute.

5 In A Row! Go NDSU!

The NDSU Bison made it to the National Championship game AGAIN in Frisco, TX.  Miles and Travis decided to try driving with the kids this year instead of flying.  They loaded up Bailey, Tyler, and Caden and headed out.  Lots of hours on the road!  They met up with Kathy and Wayne in TX and had a great weekend.  The Bison won a record 5th straight championship.  WOW!

They made it to Texas!

The Bison "mascot"

I think it is so cool that Miles and Bailey have these amazing memories.

Cousins!

The wind was brutal during the game, but everyone still had fun.

Thanks for the great trip Grandma and Grandpa!

Miles met up with some college buddies.

Christmas, Christmas, and more Christmas!

We had a wonderful month of December!  The Christmas festivities started early in the month and just kept coming. 

Bailey was in a community play, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.  She played a student named Shirley and was also part of the angel choir.

Bailey as "Shirley."

Our local hospital has Milk and Cookies with Santa each year.  The girls waited so patiently to see Santa.

Mrs. Clause was there too!

Josie had no fear of Santa this year, she ran right up for a hug.

Milk, cookies, and a new stuffed animal.  What could be better?

Bailey picked this little guy.

It was time to decorate our own house.

Next came Bailey's Christmas program at school.  Anyone up for a game of Find Bailey?

 

The girls were in a program at our church too.  I didn't get any pictures of Bailey, but I managed to get one of Josie waiting to do some singing. 

We got to see Santa again at Breakfast with Santa. 

The Houlds had us all over to decorate cookies and spend time with our wonderful friends.

I love all these kiddos!

I tried my crafting skills again this year and made these for friends and family.  They are stenciled dishcloths with utensils wrapped inside.

I am trying hard to stick to my tradition of making something for my nieces and nephews.  It is getting difficult to find something that works for the age range of 2-19.  Everyone got belts this year.  Here are a few I made.

Bailey got this special present, an elk ivory, from our friend Matt.  I made it into a necklace for her. 

Finally it was Christmas Eve, and the girls got dressed up for church. 

I was so busy watching everyone open gifts that I forgot to take any pictures.  But I snapped a few afterwards.  Josie, aka Cinderella.

Santa brought Josie the Doc Mobile she really wanted. 

Bailey got a very cool keyboard from Santa.

This microscope from Grandma Lynn was a big hit.  Bailey has been examining all kinds of things with it.

As you can see, we were very busy all month.  It was a bit stressful, but worth it to see all the joy on our girls' faces.  We hope you had a very merry Christmas too!

6 Adults, 9 Kids, 7 Dogs, and 2 Llamas

We met up with some friends and headed out to hike in the Strawberry Hills.  We must have looked like quite the crew!

Miles forgot the nice backpack carrier we have for Josie so she spent time on various shoulders. 

Bailey enjoyed leading the llamas.

An interested stranger came by on his bike and offered to take a picture of all of us.

 We love spending time with such fun friends, and we look forward to the next adventure.