Skiing at Sunrise

We took the three oldest kids up to Sunrise for the weekend to ski.  Kameron was able to take his friend, Bryant.  They had a great time skiing by themselves.  Tom and I spent all morning working one on one with Kaulin and Ali on the bunny hill.  By about 11:30 am we were all tired and hungry so we stopped to grab some lunch.  When we got back on the slopes, Kaulin and Ali seemed to catch right on.  In no time they were able to turn and snowplow without our help.  We then spent a few hours in the afternoon taking them up to the next level, Fairway, and skiing down.  They really liked that.  (Ali didn't like when I pulled her down with me when getting off of the ski lift.  She decided she didn't want to go with me anymore.)  This makes three kids that now know how to ski.  Only two more to go.  

Enjoying the Snow

We spent a week after Christmas up in Eagar.  There wasn't a lot of snow in town, but plenty of snow in the mountains.  While sledding the kids got cold but didn't want to leave.   Korey and Kaulin were our little dare devils.  They had no fear.  Kaulin was hit a few times by other people coming down the hill and he did a few flips through the air.  Each time he would get back up and go right back up the hill.  I just had to remind him to walk up the hill on the side where other people aren't coming down.  He does have a few battle wounds to show for the good time he had.  Korey loved going down on the plastic sleds/saucers because he would just fall through the middle hole in the tubes.  He was happy to follow any stranger up the hill, ride down with them and then say "hey friend, let's go again".  What fun!

All the stocking were hung by the chimney with care...

Okay, so maybe the stockings weren't hung by the chimney. But, they were hung. These stockings were all made by my mother. She was so talented at making them and embroidering the names on them with a regular sewing machine (not embroidery machine). These stockings really make me think of her and miss how she did hang the stockings with care. She made sure everyone had one hanging even if we weren't there to celebrate Christmas with her. I sure do miss those times and I sure do miss her.

Christmas Tree

There is something that I absolutely love about putting up the Christmas tree. I love the feeling of warmth that it brings to our home. I like to put the tree up right after Thanksgiving and leave it up through New Years. When it's time to take the tree down, I feel sad. It seems like forever before I can put it up again - a whole 11 more months.

Tom's View of Garden Canyon

After we got back from Garden Canyon I was pleasantly surprised with some of the photos Tom took. I was so busy watching the kids and scolding Kaulin that I didn't realize Tom was taking photos and shooting video footage. He made a pretty cool movie of our day. It's too bad he doesn't have more time to spend shooting photos.

Garden Canyon

Two days after Thanksgiving we went hiking up Garden Canyon with family. It was still beautiful. The kids enjoyed being around cousins and being out in the open air. I constantly had to remind Kaulin (very loudly) to wait for us and not run ahead. (especially when the trail went out onto a ledge - Yikes)

Tom's Woodbadge

Tom earned his Scout Woodbadge beads in November. He has worked over the past 18 months to complete certain requirements for his "ticket" items. He enjoyed his week-long Woodbadge training 14 months ago. It was nice to have his parents here to celebrate with him. Scouts after getting your "Eagle" does exist.