Winter in Montana

Keston finished out his swim season.  He cut a lot of time of his events and found he really liked the breast stroke.  This is at one the University of Montana meets. 

Chad and I blew some bubbles when it was below freezing . . . really below and they freeze almost instantly.  Then when you touch them they melt - they don't pop.  We had a lot of fun but golly gee whiz it was chilly outside. 

 We went snow shoeing and had fun.  Val and Keston grew some awesome mustaches. 

 I learned to stay at the back, otherwise I get pushed over.

It was hard work climbing up the hill to get started . . . so the kids are taking a breather.  Tyler, Chad, Keston and Sera are just chillin'.

Keston throwing himself down the hill.  They love the flips and flops down.  Chad wore his action cam but I don't know what he did with the pictures.

Sera trying the slide down on the belly . . . she was pretty successful.

Tyler trying the back down but it work so well.

 We had the annual Scout Auction and Chad helped make an awesome chocolate mustache cake. 

The boys entered a dodgeball tournament so we went and played at the church.  I know you can't really see the lovely new colors on my nose but Keston got be really good right in the face.  I am really trying to believe that he did it out of love but I got a lot of funny looks at work for the next week or so.  

Happy Birthday to Chad

Can you believe my baby is 14?  Holy smokes . . . how is that possible?  Chad wanted to go to Hu Hot for his birthday.  With his birthday on a Friday we knew we had to get there early and it was a good thing because all those Canadians came it and took over the place. 

Opening up his magnetic putty.  He has been having a lot of fun with that . . . it really does swallow up the magnet.

 A helmet for his action cam.  It even fits.

 Lighting the candles on his birthday pies.  They are always banana creme . . . and they are always yummy!

Chad and Tyler showing their true colors.  They sure do have a great time together.

Happy Birthday kid . . . we love you!

Christmas 2013

It was a pretty laid back Christmas at the Hemsleys.  Val and I both worked so we couldn't really go up to Canada and Tylissa just wanted to be home.  So it was just us - the Toren's didn't even make it over but we still had fun.

The start of the pinata.  We did start youngest to oldest as per tradition.  This is back to Keston's turn.

 Tylissa

 I am being the dork that I love to be.

Chad doing his best Babe Ruth interpretation.

 Can't forget dad!

Thanks for the jammies Granny!  We were excited to see jammies again in the pinata.

Connecting with the family in Canada for cousin gifts.  It was a fun way to do the cousin gifts!

 We were so busy talking that I didn't get pictures of the kids opening their gifts but here is the final product.  Thanks Paul for the mini sticks, Austin for the globe puzzle, and Kaylene for the book - great gifts will lots of love!

I hope this is not a Christmas Eve tradition . . . playing Quelf . . . it really is a stupid game but the kids love it.

 See - one of the byproducts of said silly game.

 We were blessed again on Christmas morning.  However, the kids really do need to start waking up before me . . . it is getting old waking them up.

 Keston with his mini fig sideburns . . . Chad with his mini figs.

Tylissa figuring out her camera!

 Keston and his camera - I look for some great pictures from these two.

Val with his backpacking stove.

Loving every little minute of Christmas morning.

Chad with his action camera.

 Having a drink with his fun straw.

Christmas was great!  We opened gifts, ate breakfast and then headed off to see the new Hobbit movie.  A great day.