Going on a proper date - a kid-free winter hike

It has been quite a while since we have had a proper date and we are very blessed to have met some friends here who are committed to doing regular kid swaps with us so that both couples can have a date without having to pay for a sitter.

Jason & I decided to do something we haven't done in nearly six years -- go for a hike together without our children. We love hiking with the kids, but generally it is more of a dawdle and always accompanied by whining, screaming, emergency potty breaks, etc. It was SUPER to go out together and just hike and talk. We picked the Spring Creek Trail which was pretty icy and slippery, but we'd brought poles to use which made it mostly doable. It was a beautiful and "warm" day to be out. So nice!

There were 3-4 of these crossings which made me a little nervous each time.

Our hike took us along Sheridan Lake where we got to watch a number of ice fishermen with their vehicles/tents out on the lake.

Ringing in the New Year

Now that January is nearing it's end, I guess it's time to acknowledge the new year finally? With the very s-l-o-w recovery rate from our holiday sickness, the past two weeks of feeling "normal" have just been pure catch-up from the weeks we were down.

In spite of sickness, we still managed to have a small New Years Eve party with the kids (with homemade confetti of course), and then on the First we went for a lovely drive in the Black Hills and a quick play in the snow at a campground.

Happy New Year! (@ 8:30 pm)

New Years Day ... just thankful to have the strength to get out for a little bit and enjoy the beauty around us.

Freezing fog leaves ice crystals everywhere, Luke learns about electrical circuitry,
Mabel says she's mailing herself (&owl) to California. Lunchtime creations. Luke becomes an expert at shoveling. . 

Feed to Fish day at the outdoor campus' 4,600 gallon aquarium & we enjoy a sunny, wind-free 60 degree day at the park in the middle of winter!

Another first ... ice cream cones that they didn't have to share!