Where We Live

I promised my dad I would post pics of what the area looks like around our house. These pictures are sort of misleading, as they were taken a few weeks ago. Anyone in Montana can tell you that things never look the same from week to week.
  
Today, for instance, it's very white.
   
Because it's snowing. Again. For the third day in a row.
   
Granted, the past two days, the snow has been gone by noon. None in the air, none on the ground. But right now, at 9:36 AM, it looks like a winter day. I can hear the electric heaters clicking on, my toes are freezing, and the hot chocolate smells delicious. Lily (5) just put on a turtleneck because "It looks like a freezing day, and I don't want to have to wear a scarf."
   
So, come to think of it, maybe things in Montana ALWAYS look the same.
  
I'm confusing myself.
  
On with the pics!
     
It takes about 15 minutes to hike from our backyard to the bald spot on the mountain, from which we can see Helena. The hike is a bit steep and requires about two Lemonhead-fueling stops for the children.
    
Getting ready for our hike up the back hill:
   
(This bench is outside of the workshop/playhouse)
          
(That's the back of Ethan's study/the garage in the background)
    
Suiting up:
        
    
Let's go!
         
    
 
  
Time for a rest:
      
   

   
A Lemonhead stop (my children are convinced Lemonheads belong in every survivor pack -- probably because they are always in their father's):
   
           
   
Finally! The view from the top:
    
    
Another view:
   
 
   
   
  
(That strange growth coming out of my husband's head is the side of Edee's head. Just so you weren't worried . . .)
    

And now we're heading back:
   
    
Even though we don't want to.