Big Sky, Montana Day 1

Our Christmas gift to the big kids this year was a family ski trip to Big Sky, Montana and Yellowstone National Park.  It was truly the best vacation we have ever taken.  We are already talking about trying to make it an annual trip and are dying to introduce Charlotte to lots of snow and skiing.   We had perfect weather, we basically had the slopes to ourselves, the hotel was amazing, and the skiing could not be topped.  Dave and I could not get over how kind and considerate the employees and guests were.  We finally decided that everyone was so happy and appreciative to be there that happiness and kindness abounded.

We flew into Bozeman, MT on Saturday afternoon January 2nd.  This was John's first flight and boy was he excited.  He carried his backpack and suitcase the entire time.  He would not let us help him up the escalators or anything.  He loved being a big kid!  We headed straight to Big Sky, MT after we landed which was about 45 mins away.  We stayed at the Huntley Lodge which we LOVED.  When you walked out of our room the ski lifts were less than 30 feet away.  Amazing!  Thanks to a little luck the weather was perfect for us. Highs in the 30s, lows in the 20s, and plenty of snow for us to enjoy skiing on "fresh powder."  We could not be more grateful for this incredible vacation and appreciative of Papa and LeLe for keeping Baby Charlotte for us.  The kids loved looking at pics that Papa and LeLe would send us of Charlotte and kept saying "I bet Papa and LeLe are really spoiling her rotten."  :)

 Papa was kind enough to drive us to the airport!  We were all so excited for this adventure!

 All smiles in Security.

 This girl likes to strike a pose and is a pro at flying.

 I love them so.

 He adores her.

 I love Ella Kate's face in this picture.

My super responsible traveler.  Checking and double checking our flight to make sure the gate has not changed.

My slightly less responsible traveler :)  Ready and willing to hop on any plane that will take him :)

Big boy.

How did she grow up so fast!

Ready to board the airplane.

Next stop - Big Sky!

Nana sent John and Ella Kate surprises for them to open on the airplane.  John was thrilled to get a Vtech watch like Ella Kate.  Ella Kate was helping him get it setup.

Ella Kate's new american girl doll, Saige, made the trip with us and Ella Kate was excited that Nana surprised her with Saige's accessories (necklace, bracelet, earrings, purse, etc.).

We made it to Montana!  Just hanging out on a dinosaur while Daddy is picking up our rental car for the week!

This was the parking lot where we picked up our rental car.  I mean the view even from the rental car lot is amazing.  Montana is spectacular in the winter.  Just beautiful!

Before checking in our hotel we stopped at a local spot that had been recommended for a late lunch/early dinner.  The atmosphere in Big Sky just makes you happy.  We loved this restaurant and went there our first day and last day of our trip :)

I can't get enough of his smile.

My heart.

All of these laughs and smiles were playing tic tac toe with his Daddy :)

Dave loved getting icicles off all the buildings.

Just like her Daddy.

They would follow him anywhere.

Grocery store shopping is even more fun on vacation :)

After we got checked in our hotel we settled by the fireplace in the lodge for a game of chess.

We had so much fun playing chess.  Must get a chess board for our house.

We took lots of swims in the heated pool and hot tub.  The kids loved being in the pool with snow falling on their face and snowy mountains in the background.