What I Wouldn't Give

It has been way too long since my last post. For those of you who actually read this, sorry about that. I would like to be more consistent with these updates.
I am in Bozeman, MT right now and it is most definitely winter. It is so wonderful to be home! When I was leaving Prescott it had been around 70 degrees for a week, and thinking about coming up to snow and cold was not exciting. However, the second I breathed in the crisp air and saw the sparkling crystal snowy world around me, being here in winter became very very easy.
Yesterday I went snowboarding for my first time in 2 years. I have been skiing the last couple winters, which I can do just fine, but that's about it. Snowboarding however, lets me fly.
When I dream about sliding on the snow, I dream in snowboarding. In those dreams I am the closest to flying I think I will ever be. That is how it is in the hills for me too. I rode in 9 inches of fresh powder yesterday on top of a 110 in base at Bridger Bowl, and it came back easier than riding a bike. I flew.
Bridger is a very special place. I have memories there from every winter of my life in Montana, and every memory is good. I have never had a bad day at Bridger Bowl, even if the snow sucked.
I was boarding with my mom's fiance and his daughter yesterday, and at one point we had just dropped off of the ridge, the fog cleared momentarily and I was looking down this amazing snow covered slope, dotted with sapling Lodge Pole Pine trees and not one person (besides us) was around. It was silent and oh so beautiful. The wind had created billows of fresh snow and I felt like I was riding on down pillows. It is days like yesterday when life away from snowboarding seems so silly. I ask myself "Why the heck am I in the desert, especially when it gets just as hot up here in the summers?"
Before I moved to Arizona I was riding 70+ days a season. Oh my god, how I miss it. Not just snowboarding, but the entire winter experience. 

I left my sisters house late the other night with baby asleep in my arms. I walked out the door into the perfect winter night: not too cold, snow falling softly and slowly, not a sound anywhere and snow covered houses, trees and cars sparkling in the moonlight. The perfection of that night stopped me in my tracks and I stood there letting the snow fall on Aven and I, and I cried.

I am so deeply blessed to have grown up in this magical Montana world and to be here right now, remembering and appreciating it all. 

Sadly, I have no photos of my day at Bridger. I forgot the camera at my mom's and was kicking myself for it. 

Here are some shots of my super pregnant and cute sister, Holly, and my niece Mesa, whom Aven absolutely adores!

Holly opening gifts at her baby shower

There's that belly! Holly and our awesome friend, Kelsey

Sisters. Looks like Aven's checkin' out the boobies!

Aven's cousin, Mesa, who will be 8 years young tomorrow! Happy birthday my sweet niece!

Aven lets Mesa cart her around like a little puppy. Its darn cute.