Winter Trip to Priest Lake

We just got home this evening from our annual, winter trip to Priest Lake.  For the first time ever, Ron decided to boycott the entire thing which meant that I had to drive his Suburban (that I had never driven before) in the snow with four kids including a baby.  Needless to say, I was not thrilled when I heard the news from him, but there was nothing I could really do about it besides cancel our trip and stay home which I didn't want to do as this is one of my favorite Christmas traditions.  So, I put on my 'big girl boots,' got a driving lesson from Ron the night before we left, and headed out on the morning of December 27th with all four kids in tow.  We managed to tag team with Chris and his family the entire drive which was helpful.  We passed one another every one or two hours the entire drive there.  Luckily, we both stopped in Priest River to get gas within a few minutes of each other.  I was able to then caravan with them the remaining 1.5 hours of the drive which I was grateful for since the roads were covered with snow the rest of the way there.  We then spent three days up at the cabin with everyone in my family with the exception of Ron.  Unfortunately, there was only about 6 inches of snow on the ground (as opposed to 1 to 2 feet that we have always had in years past) which meant that we could only sled in our yard and not on the street unless we drove up farther north along the lake where there was more snow.  My brothers also cancelled their annual ski day to Schweitzer since several key chair lifts were still closed on the mountain due to the lack of snow.  But we made the most of it and enjoyed getting out and playing in the snow every day and also had fun renting two snowmobiles for one of the days that we were there.  Overall, the kids had a great time and I managed to survive even though Emmett slept horribly in his pack 'n play all four nights AND I came down with a wicked cold AND my niece reinjured my left knee that I have been rehabbing for 7.5 months.  My kids would have definitely said that the trip was worth it and I probably would have said that it was not, but it's all water under the bridge now.  Here's to hoping that our winter trip in 2020 will be a better one...

We all piled into cars on our first day there to drive up the lake to the epic sledding spot that we always enjoy on the longest driveway in the world.  Most of the kids piled into the back of Spencer's truck.  Here is Ella sitting in the lap of her big cousin, Sarah Mae.

The girls waiting to drive off in the truck bed.

We celebrated Callie's 16th birthday on the evening of the 28th.  Here is baby Emmett waiting for the candles to be lit on her cake while being held by his doting, older cousin, Brynn.

Callie about to blow out her birthday candles.

Spencer and Emmett hanging out at the table before the birthday cake was served.

After birthday cake, we participated in our annual, cousin gift exchange.  Logan received an awesome, Pirate Lego game from Trenton.

Lia received two Harry Potter shirts and necklaces from Sarah Mae.

Ella smiling in front of the Christmas tree after gift opening.  She actually opened up her gift from Vivi on Christmas Eve and was a little confused why she didn't get to open up anything at the cabin.

The stars aligned on the morning of December 29th for Emmett to join us out in the snow.  Since he took a shorter than normal morning nap and we went outside later than normal due to holding 'cabin church,' we were able to dress him up and bring him outside with us for our morning romp in the snow.  He looked so cute all bundled up in his snow gear that he was barely able to move around in.

We were able to pull Emmett around in the sled and even took him down a few runs.  For the most part, he really liked it.

Lia pulling Emmett up our driveway.

Our traditional, Hartland fam picture minus Ron that we take every year in the same spot. 

A cute Emmett smiling in my arms.

Uncle Chris took Ella and Emmett down our road even though the snow cover was pretty minimal.  Here they are ready to go!

Uncle Chris pulling them down the hill.

And they're off!

My two, grown-up nieces striking a pose before disappearing down the hill in search of a large icicle.  They have done this every year for as long as I can remember, but sadly, they were unable to find one this year to bring back to the cabin.

Uncle Chris returning back up the hill with Ella and Emmett in tow.  Emmett did great and didn't make a peep during this entire first sled ride of his life.

Lia sledding down our driveway.

Logan following down the driveway.

Ella taking a turn.

Ella posing for me after coming down the hill on her sled.

Lia flying down the hill!

I laid baby Emmett in one of the sleds while I ran around snapping pictures.  Here he is smiling while Logan gives him some attention.

A close-up of our snow bunny.

I sledded down our neighbor's driveway with Emmett in my lap.  We then had fun playing in their untouched snow in and around their tennis court.  Here are Ella and Emmett playing in the snow outside the tennis court.

Lia posing for me from inside the tennis court.

The kids walking up the neighbor's driveway to head back into the cabin for lunch.

The kids enjoyed playing games with their cousins every evening in the cabin.  Emmett just got passed around from family member to family member most of the time that we were there which was a big help to me.  Here is big cousin, Riley, taking a turn.

Logan, Trenton, and Ella playing Logan's new, pirate Lego game.

On December 30th, we got to go on a few different snowmobile rides throughout the day.  Here is Uncle Eric taking Lia and Logan for a ride in the woods.

Ella and I leaving the cabin with Uncle Brent at the helm.

Lia and Logan in front of the cabin with Uncle Eric.

Ella pretending to drive the snowmobile herself.  She looks so tiny on this big machine!

Eric taking the kids for a spin near the lake.

Ella and I getting ready to go on a snowmobile trail up into the hills.

Since there was more snow near the foot of the snowmobile trails, we decided to stay and play in the snow for an hour or so while the other cousins were out on the snowmobiles.  Here is Ella doing what my kids love most--eating snow!

Logan, Lia, and Ella posing in the snow.

Another family photo minus baby Emmett who was back at the cabin taking his nap.

Christmas 2019

We wrapped up Christmas season 2019 last night.  It's always so sad to see it go.  Like always, we spent Christmas Eve at my parent's house with my two Washington brothers and their families and Christmas day at home with a visit from my parents in the afternoon.  Overall, it was a wonderful holiday and a great way to spend baby Emmett's first Christmas.  We enjoyed spending Christmas Eve with my family and eating our traditional turkey dinner with all the fixings and then participating in our Christmas program complete with acting out the nativity story, singing Christmas songs, and lighting the candles on the Christmas tree.  We then spent a relaxing and peaceful Christmas morning with our own little family looking at all of the children's Santa gifts and then eating our traditional breakfast in the dining room.  After we put Emmett down for his morning nap, the rest of the us took turns opening up the gifts from underneath the tree.  After lunch and a movie, grandma and grandpa stopped to see what the children got for Christmas and to hand out their presents.  After they left, I made a Filipino dinner for us to eat in the dining room before heading off to bed.  It was a great way to spend these two special days with the people who we love most!

Our annual, Hartland family picture in front of my parent's Christmas tree.

Another family shot with both Lia and papa smiling at Emmett.

Mama and her four kiddos.

A close-up of our Christmas cutie playing with an ornament.

Grandpa graciously watched the younger grandkids during dinner while the rest of us ate in the dinging room.

Ella ringing her bell while following Natalee's direction during our family's Christmas program.

Logan and Ella pointing out when they get to ring their bells.

Baby Emmett ringing his red bell while sitting in Uncle Eric's lap.

We forgot to run downstairs and get the cradle and baby doll before starting the retelling of the nativity story.  Luckily, Brynn was able to just pick up Emmett as she and Lia walked into the room.  It was quite a cute thing to see!

Brynn (Joseph) and Lia (Mary) posing with baby Emmett while Eric read the Bible story from the Book of Matthew.

Ella waiting to enter the room as the angel who announced the Savior's birth to the shepherds.

Sweet Ella waiting to make her entrance.

Logan and Riley (the shepherds) posing next to the Angel Ella, Brynn, Emmett, and Lia.

Logan and Ella just gazing up at our two stars (Vivi and Callie) after they made their grand entrance complete with angel halos on their heads.  Oh, those silly teenagers...

A group photo once the nativity story was finished being read.

Baby Emmett sitting in grandma's lap during the program.  So sweet.

Grandma sharing a Christmas message before we sang songs.

The tree all lit up with candles while we sang "Silent Night" in English and German.

All of the grandchildren jumped at the opportunity to put out one or two candles once we were done singing.  Here is Logan taking a turn.

Ella carefully snuffing out her candle, too.

Before the children came down on Christmas morning, I managed to take a quick picture of everyone's 'Santa chair."  Here is Lia's loot.

Logan's side of the couch.

Ella's side of the couch complete with all things Frozen II.

The Christmas tree with all of the presents before they were opened.

The kids ran down the stairs when they were given permission to come on down!

Logan jumping down the stairs while Ella chased after him with her blanket on her head.

Ella taking her first peek at her Santa gifts behind me.

Lia bringing up the rear with baby Emmett in her arms.

I just love this picture of Logan and Ella seriously studying their gifts before touching anything.

Lia and Emmett checking out her gifts.

Logan proudly holding up his Playmobil pirate set.

Ella hugging her new Elsa and Anna barbie dolls.

Lia and Ella checking out their stockings.

Sweet, baby Emmett posing for me in front of the Christmas tree.

Emmett ripping off the bow.

Mama and the kids posing in front of the tree before breakfast.

Ron and the children eating our traditional, Christmas breakfast.

Ella showing off her giant set of markers that she had just opened up.

Logan modeling his pirate snow cap that he was hoping to get this Christmas.

Lia opening up one of her gifts...

a Harry Potter calendar!

Ella showing off her gift wrapped in Frozen II wrapping paper before ripping it open.

Logan opening up another gift.

Lia showing off some new books to read.

Mama posing with Logan and Ella with their handmade ornaments that they both made at school this year.

After all of the gifts had been opened and baby Emmett had woken up from his morning nap, we had the children open up a giant, group gift that had been sitting behind the couch for the past week.  Needless to say, the kids couldn't wait to rip into this.

Lia, Logan, and Ella tearing off the wrapping paper.  Inside the kids found a giant, American Girl Doll, 1950s restaurant/diner for all of them to enjoy.

Grandma posing with baby Emmett after she had arrived.

Posing with the grandparents at the end of their visit.  It was so nice to have them stop by and see us as it always makes Christmas day so much more exciting and enjoyable!