Over the river and through the woods...

Owen and I decided to go snowshoeing on Monday. We went to Tie City which is located in the Laramie mountains (hills). The snow was packed on the trails so we decided to make our own trails. Forging our own trails required navigating through trees and rocks. A couple of times my short legs could not make it up and over fallen trees. So, I got to know the snow pretty well. One time I was walking down a hill and took a step and ended up in snow almost up to my waist. I had walked on a boulder and did not realize that the ground was four feet below. So, we spent most of our time trekking through the woods, but we did cross a puddle that had frozen over, hence the river. We had a good time and even had a snowball fight...which I lost.

Where are we Holly?

I see the trail...we're saved

Holly making her way out of Laramie Mountains' treacherous woods

Here lies Holly...RIP
I guess the mountains were too treacherous for Holly

Inappropriate Gingerbread House

So, Friday night at Steamboat we made gingerbread houses. As a I putting some finishing touches on my house, I looked over at Owen's house and noticed that he had turned it into a brothel. I know, how inappropriate is that. He had written "HO" on two of his outside walls. And to think he is in the Elders' Quorum presidency. Actually, Owen was trying to be festive and when I saw these two walls the first thing that popped in my mind was that his gingerbread house was a brothel.

Well, actually, it is a Mesa Verde designed brothel.

Owen taking a bite out of his Mesa Verde gingerbread house

Dad said that instead of making his own, he would help Susan. So, here he is helping.

Here is Susan's house.

Here is Kim's house with a TV and couch inside

This is the front of my house with a over sized star.

This is the back of my house with an over sized ball in honor of the church bells in Germany.

Yes, Owen is constipated.

Snowshoeing at Steamboat

Owen and I decided that we would go snowshoeing instead of snowboarding since it is free. We decided to take Dad along with us and I was really impressed with how this 65 year-old grandpa did. He stayed with us the whole way. In fact for the half of the adventure I was the one in the back.

This is snowshoeing from my view...quite a distance behind the boys.

Here we are at the summit of a hill.

Owen took his snowshoes off and jumped into the snow.

Here is Dad and Owen charging down the hill.

Holly charging down the hill, "Wait for me guys!"

HELP!!!!!

Here I am coming out of the trees. As authentic as this looks, this is my second time through the trees so that I can pose for this picture. The boys also had to get their picture taken coming out of the trees. For the observant eye, you will notice that in their pictures it is not snowing and that is because I took their pictures on the way back.

Dad's "Eddie Bauer" pose

"Poles, poles, I don't need no stinkin poles"

Christmas at Steamboat

This year I am going to Seattle for Christmas to spend the holiday with Derek and his family. Since my dad and Susan are going to Arizona, Susan planned a weekend in Steamboat where we could celebrate Christmas with Owen and Kim. I love going to Steamboat; it is just so beautiful. I enjoy going downtown and shopping through the stores, especially the Christmas store. We also made gingerbread houses one night. Dad, Owen, and I went snowshoeing Saturday morning. Saturday night we had our traditional German dinner of rouladen and spaeztle and then opened presents.

This is the view from our window. Normally, I like to spend one day snowboarding but since it is $90 a day, I decided to save my money.

Here is our Christmas tree and it looks like Santa came early.

Adam's Baptism

This year for Thanksgiving I went to Garden City, Kansas and spent the holiday with my sister, Heidi and her family. I had a great time teaching Matt how to play football, including spiking the ball and doing a victory dance. We even had a "Turkey Bowl". It was Matt, Gramma Leonard, and me vs. Grandpa Leonard and Robert. We won of course. The boys and I also played a lot of "Monkey in the Middle" and "Tackle the person with the ball". We also stayed busy playing the Wii, making very messy gingerbread men, and watching movies. The highlight of the weekend was watching Adam get baptized. I was very honored to be asked to give a a talk on baptism. It was a very nice baptism with a strong spirit present.