Announcing the Winner and my New Blog Name...

Well it is that time.  We finally arrived in our new state and are settling in nicely.  DH made it through the first week of his job and it is going very well.  I began a new session of classes and that is going well also.  I have only 5 more classes after this session until I graduate with my associates degree and begin the bachelor's program.  Getting excited about that.

But that is not what you are really wanting to know now is it?  You are here because you are curious about my new blog name and to find out who won the blog name giveaway.

I hope you like it!  I did!  I think it is a very "catchy" name.  Thank you to Lara over at Overstuffed, who sent in this idea for the name of my blog.  I received several ideas that I really liked as well, which made it difficult to choose.  I want to thank all of you who gave me such awesome suggestions.  And I want to thank my sister for helping me decide which one to use.  Lara, please contact me with your address so I can forward you your prizes.

Right now we are in the beginning stages of getting a new home built.  We have chosen a style and floor plan and have met with the builders.  Now we are getting things ready to clear the land and then survey and excavate it.  I am getting excited!

I am also really enjoying the time I get to spend with my sister Valerie .  We just got tickets for the Twilight marathon at a local theater on November 14th.  I am so happy that I have someone to do fun things like that with now.

I guess that wraps things up for now.   I am crazy busy with school but in my spare time I will be creating  a new design for my blog and hopefully be able to update more often and catch up with you as well.

Life is Good!

 See you soon!

More July Adventures..... And.....

Still playing catch up... Yes I am!

But first..... I just wanted to throw on the table the fact that in 4 more days we will be on our way to Texas.   I have been busily finishing up all my homework for school so that I can begin my two week break, and now I am busy spending the last few days packing and cleaning.

Now..... just a shout out reminding you of my blog giveaway.  October 8th is the big day so get your suggestions in if you haven't already. Read HERE for more details.  Oh... and I have exciting news about the book I am giving away.  I will be giving away an AUTOGRAPHED copy!  Plus I will have two more surprise gifts that will include something from Montana and something from Texas.  Should be FUN FUN FUN!!!  I have received some excellent ideas but would like some more so get your ideas in before the deadline.

Now onto the adventure part....

Mid July we planned a weekend getaway to Great Falls, MT.  I wanted to see what the Great Falls were all about.  So away we went.... It is about 3-1/2 hour drive from where we live.  First stop was the hotel.  And as soon as we walked in our little Abby dog made herself right at home.  This is her style of camping!  She is not really the outdoorsy type like Daisy is.  This is more her style as you can see by this picture.

Princess Abby making herself right at home

A storm blew in as soon as we arrived in town.  It was quite the rain storm too!  So we just hung out at the hotel the rest of that day.  The next morning we started out with a Geo-cache.  Here is DH (Dear Hubby) finding it!  

DH Geo-Cache Find 

The stash is in the plastic container

The plastic container was found inside of this!  

It was a pretty cool way to hide a Geo-Cache.  

The location was pretty great too.  

It was at a park overlooking the Missouri River

The next stop was what I was there for.  The next few pictures are of Giant Springs State Park.  This is the most beautiful place I have seen!  This next picture is of the Giant Spring.  It is a natural spring that was discovered by Lewis & Clark.  It's awesome!  What makes it even more special is that this natural spring flows into the shortest river in the world... the Roe River which is 201 feet long and runs directly into the Missouri River.   It seriously is a really gorgeous place and I recommend everyone go see it!   There are several pictures of Giant Springs State Park because the scenery is so beautiful and I just couldn't choose any to leave out.

Giant Springs

Giant Springs

Missouri River in background

The water is SO clear!

Giant Springs

Look how clear that water is!

Giant Springs State Park

More Scenery 

Another one...

There is also a fish hatchery at the Giant Springs State Park

This is a pond of fish....They are HUGE!

Pretty Bird 

Missouri River

This is one of five falls on the Missouri River

These falls are how Great Falls got it's name

This is another one of the falls on the Missouri

We are making our way to the Great Falls on the Missouri 

But first we stopped to find another Geo-Cache.

Here is the family!

This is the Great Falls and namesake of the city.  

I wish the pictures did it justice!

Another shot of Great Falls

On the way home we spotted these......  SPEED GOATS!!

And then we found this pretty lake at Gates of the Mountains...  We had no idea about this place and wished we had more time to check it out.  It is an area that DH and I wish we had time to explore.  It is another one of the Lewis & Clark expeditions.  Check out the links and make it part of your next vacation to Montana.  I wish I had time!

As we arrived back home the sunset was really awesome.  These pictures don't even do it justice but it will give you some idea of what the sky was like.  

Sunset over Belgrade, MT

The sky is on fire

So pretty!

Well that wraps up our Great Falls Adventure.  We had a wonderful weekend and really do recommend it to everyone.  I love road trips and all the amazing adventures that take place while on one!  

So... most likely the next time you see another update, I will be in Texas.  I still have several Montana adventures to catch up on.  I am hoping to do that once I get settled somewhat.  

Don't forget about the Blog Giveaway!  See you soon my friends!

The latest news....And a GIVEAWAY!!

I have so many adventures to write about and pictures to edit and post; but the problem is I just have not had any extra time to do this.  As you know we are moving to Texas and I have been busy packing the house when I am not at work or at school, which doesn't leave any time for anything else.  We have also been trying to see and do as many things as we can before we leave.  Thus the many adventures I still need to journal.

However, today I feel that I need to at least update everyone on the latest news.....

We finally have a move date!  FINALLY!  Saturday, September 24th is the day we will be loading up the moving truck; and we will head south the following morning.  It will take us THREE DAYS to get there with loads of driving each day.  We are ready though!  Ready to get the next chapter in our lives started.

We will be staying with my sister, Valerie, and her family while our home is being built.  We hope to have that completed in 5 to 6 months.  I am SO excited to be living near my sister and my in-laws!  I am EXCITED about NEW ADVENTURES!!

Now I want to remind you that as Our Adventures from Big Sky Country is coming to an end rather soon, I still need to rename my blog.  I announced in an earlier post that I will be doing a GIVEAWAY for the person who's idea I use for my blog name.  I want to have that wrapped up around the OCTOBER 8TH, so please comment with your idea for a blog name by that date. I have a few ideas as to what I want to GIVE AWAY, this is one of them....

I will also throw in a couple other surprises.  So be sure to comment about your idea for my new blog name.  I AM SO EXCITED!  

As I mentioned above, I have many recent and amazing Montana adventures to still write about and I will be working on that as soon as I can because I hate being so far behind!

Until next time my friends.....stay safe and happy!

It's time for that BIG announcement...

I warned you there was some BIG news coming.  Guess it's time I let the cat out of the bag.

Here goes......

Sometime within the next 3 to 4 months, I will no longer be able to blog about Our Adventures in Big Sky Country because........

We Are Moving!

Yes I am moving away from my beloved State of Montana.

Where?

Utah?    No

California?  No

Arizona?  No

Texas?  Yes

Springtown, Texas to be exact

I will need to dust off my cowboy boots and cowboy hat and practice my hey y'all's and yeehaw's, and get myself ready for some Texas Heat!  

Why?

To be near my sister and Bill's family, and to provide assistance to my in-laws in their Golden Years!  To help take care of their property and care for their Llamas. Because we will be able to build a home on part of the property.  And I will also be closer to job opportunities within my career path. 

When?

Not sure of the exact date yet.  Waiting in limbo for Dear Hubby's job transfer.  Hopefully, before Winter for sure.

I am sad to leave behind the mountains and the beauty of this area.  I will always consider this the most beautiful place on this Earth.  But I am excited for the opportunity to begin fulfilling some lifelong dreams, as well as being closer to family.  

I know with all my heart that Texas is where we are supposed to be at this time in our lives, just like I know that it will be our final destination.  The place that we will forever call home.  The place where we will live out the remainder of our lives. 

I will keep ya'll informed as soon as we know anything.  

Now on to another announcement..... 

I will need to create a new name for my blog.  And I want to offer a prize giveaway to the person who's name I choose to use as my blog title.  I don't know what the prize will be just yet, but it will most likely be something from Texas.  So get your thinking caps on and send me your ideas PLEASE!!!

MMB GIVEAWAY!

There is an AWESOME giveaway going on at MMB.  Hurry on over there.  You only have until June 20th to enter.  It is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!  And I hope I win!!!!

It's Giveaway Time!

Would you like to win one of these?

Isn't she a beauty? 

Lynette Kraft at Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground is giving one away this month. 

I am heading over there now to join the fun.  How about you?

I Am Worthy Giveaway!

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post about my feelings of self worth that you can read here. I received so many comments not only publicly but also privately regarding this subject, from women who, like me, have the same issues and feelings. I have also read many blog posts recently covering this subject matter in one form or another. I have come to realize that there are way too many of us who struggle with these negative feelings about ourselves, and its time we do something about it! 

My bloggy friend, Mindy, who blogs at Ladybug Family, is doing just that!  She decided to find something to help remind herself that she is worthy.  So she had an "I Am Worthy" ring designed that she can wear everyday.  And the best part is, she is giving one of those rings away.  I want one!  And for any of you that struggle with this same issue, you will want one too.  All you have to do is go to her blog here and leave a comment and either post on your blog, facebook, or twitter.  I also feel this is an important message to get out there.  So go check it out!

Thanks, Mindy, for doing something proactive towards this! 

A Fun Giveaway!

My friend Hannah who blogs at Aspire is having a fun giveaway.  Wouldn't it be fun to have your own blog button?  It's easy to join in the contest, so check it out! 

HP Touchsmart Computer Giveaway!

Who wants to win an HP Touchsmart Computer?  I know I would.  Mckmama is giving one away!  I repeat.... she is giving one away before Christmas.  So head on over to her blog and enter the giveaway!

All Things Thrifty + Giveaways

I recently found this awesome website, All Things Thrifty Home Accessories and Decor, a place where you can go get some great ideas on decorating your home inexpensively.  I have fallen in love! 

Right now they are having a week of giveaways starting today so I think you should head on over there right now and check it out.  They are giving away some awesome items.  And I am hopeful I will be one of the winners of some fabulous item this week.  I have my eye on something already!  Just wanted to share and encourage you to stop by.

 

GIVEAWAY!!!

My friend Annette Lyon over at The Lyon's Tale is having an awesome giveaway.....GO CHECK IT OUT NOW!! 

It's a contest.....Cowboy's Excellent Adventure FRIDAY!

If you want to join in on a really fun contest hop on over to "Duet Diva's" blog at When a Duet Becomes a Trio.  You could win a really awesome, inspiring book, In Faithfulness, He Afflicted Me, written by another blogger friend Lynette over at Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground.    Good Luck!

SEPTEMBER GIVEAWAY!

Mormon Mommy Blogs is offering an awesome giveaway of goods and services worth up to $900.  It's only being offered until Friday, October 2nd.  So hurry and head on over to their blog to get your entry(s) in.