Get out of the house

Harrison battled some kind of flu virus last week (I will avoid labeling it with a specific name). Never-the-less, we felt a bit cooped up as of late. It was time to go somewhere other than school. A little sled outing to the nearby Hyalite Canyon followed by lunch and a soak at the Norris hot springs. Sorry, no pics of the swimming, the weather was rough (windy, snowy and cold) perfect for soaking!

Growing

This past week I really began noticing how much our little guy is changing. He is going through another transformation of becoming less toddler-like. I find it difficult some days to think that he will be 3 in just 4 short months. Harrison, continues to charm me daily...he truly has a kind soul, he's strong minded, loves to sing (currently he is enjoying "You are my Sunshine and Hush Little Baby"), playing and being rowdy. I love watching him...

Enjoying some cake at Emma & August's Birthday Party.

Last week, before the storm blew through (leaving us with 2 feet of snow) we met our dear friends at the Dinosaur Park...it was cold, but so worth it.

Jake leading the way...

Belle watching the boys

Trick-or-Treat

Yesterday, we attended the annual Treat Street...Harrison enjoyed being a bat and tasting every candy that was dropped into his ghost and we were happy that they were all just a taste. He then would throw it away and move on. Tonight we are going to a Halloween party, so we will post more photos tomorrow.

Wyoming, Fall, Fun

This October post needed to start with some serious sandbox dedication. Harrison's new excavator had to get broken in regardless of the cold snap and snow on the ground (which has melted away now).
Cathy went to Wyoming for the extended weekend, Harrison got to spend the days playing with his grandparents, driving the new atv and kicking around his first pair of cowboy boots.

Driving the school bus with Mimi


This is the Fall we were missing out on a few weeks ago. Cathy and Harrison's return home was met with a visit to Rocky Creek Farms for a hay ride, apple eating and pumpkin picking.





Home to carve. I (Pat) put some new paint on the walls while the fam was gone, you can see below...

Love this shot!
Happy Autumn!!

Goodbye Fall, Hello Winter

For the number of years we have now lived in MT, one would think I would be use to the fact that we rarely get more than 2 weeks of Fall. Well this year, we had maybe 4 days. I hate this because it is truly my favorite season of the year...now Winter has staked its claim over our state, once again. Which is fine, because we Hoffman's enjoy our snowy adventures. Harrison has been able to break out his new winter attire and even helped Mama shovel the walk and driveway this morning.

he enjoys this now, little does he know that one day, it will become his "job"

I found this picture today, it was taken in YNP almost 2 years ago to the day...so cute

Georgetown Lake - Discovery, MT

Kootenai Forest Fire (view from our tent)

We thought we better take advantage of another nice weekend and go camping. It was our first, sleep-in-a-tent adventure with Harrison and he rose to the challenge like the fabulous 2.5 yr old he is. We only wished we would have done this sooner than now. Although, way-back-when, we would not have enjoyed ourselves quite so much.
Harrison had a blast being outside for 24 hours...he played until his hands and face were no longer their normal color and practiced his crashes well into the night. We had a great time and are hoping to get out a few more times before the snow flies.

Flynn (6 weeks), Julie & Craig's youngest son.

Matt & Megan came over from Missoula

Harrison on Carl's bike...

Carl checking out Harrison's bike

Party, Friends & Horses

Sorry for the short hiatus from our blog. We are still getting into the-swing-of-things with school starting and have been sans camera, on many occasion's...as I have said a few times, we are speechless when it comes to the development of our little man. He is getting so big, so fast that some days, I am awestruck about where time is going. It seems just like yesterday he was coming home for the first time and now, he is almost 2.5. We are having so much fun with him and cherish each moment...
Last night, we were invited to a party, with beautiful views, great music, company and horses. Harrison loves horses (a son after my own-heart) and could not get enough of feeding, petting and talking to them all.

this was Harrison favorite horse

Colter & Zohy
Quinn

Pat Kainz & Sawyer

The horse, was taken by Harrison, too.

The host of the party, was a restorer of antique Carriage's & Sleigh's...they were gorgeous!