Pure Indulgence

So I am sitting here, wrapped in a blanket, drinking a warm cup of coffee, gazing out a huge window, watching fluffy snow flakes fall with Rachel Ray on the t.v. 

THIS is pure indulgence. 

Why? Because I never do it! I'm ignoring the laundry (which I DO, do frequently :-). I've ditched my morning workout, but not to worry (AFH) as I will do my W.O.D. (Workout of the day) at home later...

Wow! The snow keeps falling... heavier... this is SOOO awesome. It's awesome because I am having a 'vacation' experience that is now my new life! I know, some of you are laughing or rolling your eyes because you already live this beautiful snowy life. But for this California girl, it's new and I'm lovin' it!

Ah, good timing, my hubby just walked in with a fresh cup o'Jo. 

I may never leave my cozy spot. Can you say lazy? Just a little bit of guilt. Don't worry, I'm working through it ;-)

Sunday play

Over the last several weeks I have watched the kids as they tirelessly play outdoors in the snow. Whether it be along the river 'building glaciers', creating snow angels, or sledding I am reminded of my youth. Something I have not thought of for many years as snow play has not been a regularly activity for our family.

My three brothers and I grew up with many snowy days. Days where we would spend many hours outdoors playing whatever games we could conjure up. Running wild, without parental supervision throughout the neighborhood and open fields nearby. So much freedom, so much fun!

Now I watch as my little ones enjoy the fun and 'monitored' freedom.

Building Glaciers

Maddie, Teagen and Hudson creating snow angels

Slope Prep

First step. Getting equipped. Head gear-check!

Teague: "Are we robbing a bank?" Hmmm....maybe! :-)

Little bitty bones

So today in school, my daughter got to enjoy rummaging through owl puke! And lucky me she brought her findings home nicely sealed in a ziplock bag. What the heck am I to do with these little bitty bones? Rodent bones. Not a fan of rodents, nor their bones!

Aidan wants to mount these micro sized skulls on his bedroom wall. Not quite the trophy mounting of a 12 point buck! And for the record, no animal mountings will take place in my house. At least not yet, sheesh I've only lived here a couple of weeks!  #NotlivinginMenloanymore! 

Choosing the school bus over mama...

So today my babies, yes still babies at ages 7 & 9 rode the school bus into school. I know most of you think - so? What's the big deal? But for me, it is. As much as they drive me crazy fighting through every drive we make, no matter how long or short the drive may be, or how fun the destination is - they are loud but I still prefer them under my wings!

Post snow play activity

Teague's favorite! Especially, after a day of house hunting, snowball fighting & sledding. This lil' dude knows how to relax! think I'll join him :-)

Thursday was the kids first day in School

Boy oh boy, what an exciting day for Aidan and Maddie! Wednesday, Jay and I took them to tour the school and say a quick hi to their new teachers and classmates. Although shy, Madeleine did quite well as she was enthusiastically greeted by her posse. Aidan, however, showed a bit more anxiety. I have never seen him turn red before and I'm not talking a subtle blush, he was scarlet! Too funny. He managed to wave back to his classmates and mumble a shy hello. I, of course, wanting to help out in the friendly department was over the top and "totally embarrassing" to him... Guess it was too much to try and be a 'cool' mom, oh well. Won't be the last time I'm sure ;-)

Thursday and Friday was way cooler and they both were wanting to book play dates. Yeah!

Now, all I have to do is get Teagen settled...next week...

First Family Outing in Our New Surrounds

Today we had a great time exploring one of the trails nearby. The kids, dog, Jay & I headed for Ousel Falls. All bundled up (Hudson included) we had a great time navigating the snowy trail. Our children have been so snow deprived in their young little lives that the simplest layers of white was quite satisfying for them. Boy, they haven't seen anything yet!

We finished up the afternoon by breaking in their new sleds on the modest hill just outside our rental home. Now off to a warm jacuzzi bath before din-din!

Tomorrow: house hunting

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

I woke up this morning to a flurry of snow flakes and nearing close to a white out. Awwww, how peaceful this is. But then I had to take the dog out! In my jammies, boots and full length down jacket we trudged outside - darn it I forgot my hat. I won't mention the temperature as it is below freezing and that is enough to frighten my Cal gals from ever wanting to visit me (you know who you are ;-).

It's the first time my pup has seen/been in snow but that didn't seem to phase him. After all, he too was wearing a cozy jacket! As the two of us cruised around, I began noticing animal tracks in the snow. Not dog, nor squirrel, maybe elk & maybe smaller cat (not the domestic ones)...actually, I have no idea. I am however, excited about all the new things I get to learn about my new place. I just hope I learn surviving a large wild animal siting before getting eaten! Just kiddin' a little bit :-)

Hello Big Sky!

We are here! November 2nd, 2013 the kids and I arrived. Papa is still driving the car, with dog and best friend. Hoping to arrive later this evening on the 3rd. 

Our first full day has been nice, easy, & lazy! It's Sunday, so it's been football all day long! There was a light dusting of snow, or as my sister-in-law calls it a 'skiff', with slight flurries throughout the day. Kids ran outside celebrating their first snow of the season, playing chase with their cousins.

I am loving the uninterrupted view of the Gallatin Valley, especially as I view it from the coziness of a warm home.

Saying Goodbye...

So... ever since Jay and I decided to start a new chapter in our lives, uprooting our family to the Big Skies of Montana, we have been in hyper-drive with the details of our move.

During this time there have been lots of emotions, most of which have been easy to bury under the chaos of each day. Our friends and our communities will be greatly missed. Those that we have developed over the last 18+ years and those that are fairly new are all truly valued.

Although exhausting, I have enjoyed every good-bye coffee, every good-bye dinner, every good-bye cocktail(s), every good-bye TDM class & EVERY good-bye HUG. The support I have received from my posse has been deeply amazing. You have all made me feel truly loved. Thank you.

I Am A HOARDER!

Ok, maybe not in the true sense of the word, but to my type-A, organized, Capricorn self, I have amassed WAY TOO MUCH STUFF!

I usually start realizing this during the Springtime purge, but soon forget with each additional discovery of newly created available space I find. However; it has never been more apparent than now, as we plan our move, that I REALLY have a problem. Several garage sales later and a nice chunk of change, I am still needing another garage sale. How does this stuff multiple? And the million dollar question: how do I stop from doing this over and over again? Really! I suppose the first step has been taken - admitting the problem in the first place ;-)

The Return Home

...on our short flight home from Bozeman to SF (1 1/2 hours direct btw) Jay & I started the 'Pro' & 'Con' list about making the move. The Pro to move list was quite long. 

In the past, I have always enjoyed the flight approach into SF. I loved the vibe the city scape provided. I used to be energized by the hustle & bustle of the City & Peninsula. Not this time. All I could see was concrete, overhead cables, traffic, hustle & bustle. NO LONGER THE ALLURE of times past. 

Yet another 'Pro' - I wasn't going to miss this and it felt good knowing it.

So now what? A couple more days go by and there are some reservations about moving. A beautiful neighborhood, great schools, many conveniences (& I'm ALL about convenience), many friends... Oh but the hustle & bustle, not to mention cost & long work hours. We were more than ready for a change.

Less than a week later, Jay & I booked our return flight to Big Sky for a recon trip. Awwwww, it was soooo great to be back in calm, peaceful Montana. Three days of house hunting and we came home with some great prospects and a greater conviction that this is where we needed to be! This was going to be the new home we return to...

WHAAAT?

So many of you may be asking, what, why, how, when, WHAAAT? 

So here's how it all unfolded...

Jay and I took the kids to Yellowstone on vacation. September 1st to be exact. We met up with family to take time off and enjoy the last bit of summer. Let me tell you, there were NO plans, visions, or dreams to stake out our new home on this trip. We simply went to play!

Yes, we have always had the dream to make this move sometime later in our years as a 'retirement' plan but never even considered the timing to be in the near future much less a month later. So how did it happen?

About five days into our trip, we were asked by family what it would take to make a move to Montana happen? After laughing with a 'when hell freezes over' retort, Jay and I entertained the 'Life' question - "What's it all about?" "What are we doing (all of what we are currently doing-work, hustle-bustle, etc...) this for?" "Is our current way of life what we want to keep doing?" and you can go on and on with similar questions.

The 2nd to last day of the trip, as we headed back from West Yellowstone, we decided to spend a few minutes checking out Big Sky, a small Ski and outdoor sports resort town midway between Bozeman and West Yellowstone.  We came to find out that Big Sky is actually now the ski resort with the most ski-able acreage in the US and has the highest vertical drop at over 4350 ft.  :)  Check it out: http://www.bigskyresort.com/the-mountain/the-biggest-skiing-in-america.

We were enchanted and decided to drive by several properties.  It was a packed day of info gathering and I was exhausted by the end of it. I felt a big cold coming on and just wanted to rest. I didn't realize it at the time as I thought I had the flu or food poisoning; but after a very restless night I awoke with the conclusion that I had experienced my first ever panic attack! WOW! Not a fan, but happy I wasn't sick either :-)

With helpful support of B.I.L. & S.I.L. & G'MA, we took the next day or two to crunch numbers, research and envision our new lives as Montanans....

Moving To Montana

So many of you know and many of you still have yet to learn, that I'm moving to Montana (yes, I'm bringing the rest of my clan with me)! Yes, it has been a quick decision. Yes, we have thought deeply about it and yes, we couldn't be more excited!

I will miss much about living in the amazing community of Menlo Park, but as many of you also know, there is a lot worth getting away from! NONE of which are the awesome friends I have made over the last 10 years. Whether it be my ol' Stroller Strides Pose to the lovely women of Mothers Together & my Small Group Bible Study through Menlo Park Presbyterian to the awesome parents of my childrens' friends & super fun clients & co-workers at The Dailey Method!

This is where I plan on sharing, with those that want to follow, the story of a California girl moving to Montana. I hope you will join in the excitement of this new chapter in my life. And if you are ever out near the Big Sky area! Let me know :-)