Gotta Love Basketball, Dancing & Snow

MHS JV Girl's Team huddle 

Back of Anna # 1 

Anna's basketball season came to an official close with the JV district championships held Feb. 1.  Their last game was a nail-biter and though they didn't pull off the win, Anna gained playing time throughout the season as the coaches began to take notice of her abilities.  She didn't participate in any off-season/summer camps (and decided to try out for basketball at the last minute) because she was focused on running at the time so initially the JV coaches didn't realize what a contributor she would be.  Overall, it was a good experience for Anna and she's planning to continue next year.

Quinn & Tanner 

Didn't realize these two had Superman t-shirts until they both happened to wear them on the same day.

Quinn, Jagger, Jett - mini-golfing 

02.02.2020 - great day to celebrate G-ma P's 71st birthday (from afar) and the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49er's.  We let the kids 'celebrate' with special snacks:). 

Warm Springs - Ashton, ID 

Matt, Heather, Jane 

Heather, Harley (the dog), Jane

Thursdays have become our snowshoeing day of the week.  Much thanks to the Smith's for encouraging us to get outside and embrace this winter weather!  Our group ebbs and flows but I've mostly been able arrange my schedule for this outdoor activity.  It's good for the soul.

Scott S. & Aaron 

So. Much. Snow!!! 

Scott - accidentally ran over the tree instead of around it.

Scott & Aaron - college/lifelong buddies

February has been insanely busy for Aaron with work so I was happy  he was able to join Scott and a few other guys for an overnight snowmobiling adventure in the Alpine, WY area (Feb. 7-8).  They had more than their fair share of mishaps but fortunately, nobody was seriously injured.  It was incredibly challenging to maneuver in such deep powder but I think they all had fun:).

Jantzen with Coach Humphreys

Elsie's dance season kicked off with a local showcase event.  I helped run concessions when she wasn't dancing.  This is a new world for me - never thought I'd be a 'dance mom' - haha!

Going out to eat as a family is a pretty rare thing for us.  With my top-secret job of providing customer feedback for a locally owned restaurant, we decided to take the crew along and had some great laughs.  Everyone has been going a million directions so it was nice to relax and have fun. 

Quinn - interviewing G-ma M about her childhood

G-ma M joined Quinn's 5th grade class to share in the "Older But Wiser Party". 

Large elk herd crossing behind our house. 

Jantzen - white jersey 

Easy to find Jantzen #11 in his one-legged attire 

Jantzen - coming in at the half

Anna - red-checkered bucket hat

Lots of team spirit!  Go Bobcats!

Quinn - #2 

Quinn is a great little defender! 

Coaches: Matt N., Bryce W., Teagan's G-pa
Quinn, Logan, Kyler, Clay, Jack, Teagan

After searching unsuccessfully to find a 5th grade team for Quinn to play on, Bryce & Matt (in my ward) were gracious enough to let him join their 6th grade team.  It was a relief that at least one of our children had a positive coaching experience with basketball this season....whew!

Happy Valentine's Day!
Yep - breakfast donuts & chocolate milk! 

Romantic Lunch Date - Cafe Rio for me & Aaron 

Elsie - 4th in on left

We had to divide and conquer on Valentine's Day with so many activities going on.  Aaron watched Jantzen play our rival team while I attended the "Finishing Touch" dance adjudication  in IF for Elsie's team.  Fun that Brinley was able to call that night also!  We felt the love:).

Elsie - looking right - wearing hip-hop costumes 

The judges gave excellent feedback and the girls danced well. 

Maddie & Jantzen - snowmobiling day date 

Sweethearts Dance is a girl's choice (Feb. 15) so our Saturday was wrapped up with all that fun. 

Maddie (senior) & Jantzen (junior) 

Jantzen, Tucker, South?, Mackay, Brandan, Scotty, ? 

Getting ready to bless the food.  Sneaky Aaron took a pic.

We hosted dinner, dessert and pictures for Anna's all sophomore group.  I think they had more fun hanging out at our house than going to the dance - haha!   

Kids loved the chocolates on the tables. 

We provided the main course and Anna assigned the other girls sides/desserts.  Can't go wrong with mud pie AND chocolate dipped strawberries/oranges. 

Shyann, Pyper, Marly, Lily, Anna, Kate, Kalaya 

Pyper & Stockton, Marly & Ben, Kalaya & Jared, Lily & Rhett, Kate & Cam, Shyann & Logan, Anna & Cutler 

Anna & Cutler 

Whenever possible, the kids have skied at Targhee.  Quinn also participated in Ski School so he had four trips to Kelly Canyon also.  It's been an awesome year for skiing with so much snowfall. 

After making the difficult decision to no longer pursue Senior's Choice and focus exclusively on growing VUE Advisors, Aaron was able to clear a day on his calendar and joined our snowshoeing adventure to Taggart Lake.  Afterwards, we enjoyed a late lunch in Jackson Hole with Matt & Jane.  

Teton Mountains from the Wyoming side.

Taggart Lake behind us. 

Matt & Aaron - we crossed this frozen lake.

It was literally -7 degrees when we started hiking in the morning (Feb. 20).  According to Jane, it's rare to have such a clear view of the Tetons from the WY vantage point.  We felt doubly blessed!  

Another intense basketball game that evening at our rival high school (tiny gym!).  Here is Aaron after signing documents to complete the transaction of selling our shares in Home Care Pulse.  It's been quite the 12 year journey and a bit surreal that we are no longer owners of this amazing company. 

Quinn with Ripken sitting in players chairs watching halftime show.

Bishopric and Ward Council Leadership Retreat - and a little snowmobiling in Island Park (Feb. 22).

First time snowmobiling for Quinn. 

Aaron & Heather - clear days are beautiful but COLD.

It was lovely for Bro. Wilde to offer his personal family cabin for a leadership retreat for Aaron's ward.  The students are from all over and many have not experienced so much snow!  Breakfast and lunch were provided and we wrapped things up mid-afternoon.  It was nice to have Quinn tag along! 

me, Heather & Jon, Jane & Matt (Aaron in Detroit)

Nice to have Matt as our built-in photographer on these adventures.  The views have been spectacular.  And so was our lunch at Liberty Burger afterwards!

Brinley & Sister Miller

Speaking of lunch, a member sent me this pic after taking these cute missionaries to Chik-Fil-A yesterday.  I think somebody is getting transferred soon....

It's been quite the season for these boys.  They wrapped it up yesterday (Feb. 29) in American Falls (neutral location) and barely lost the state-play in game after some head-scratching calls and coaching errors.  Such has been the basketball roller coaster ride this year.  It was a difficult loss especially for the seniors who have worked so hard (and deserved) to play in Boise next weekend.  The end of February marks several significant changes for our family - and we're moving forward.  Hello March!