Christmas break 2016

We packed up the kiddos and headed up to crystal for some skiing. I have to say I LOVE skiing with them. It makes me so happy. Getting them dressed? Not so happy. But, once we got socks pulled on just so, goggles shifted millimeters this way, then that way, gloves on and off and on and off and on, and for a good test of patience back off again, listening to the whining as they lug their stuff up to the lift, feigning an inability to carry their gear with poles caddywampus and skis falling to the ground...but then, then we get this and it all seems worth it. 

Unfortunately I forgot (so sad) my swimsuit so Peter got the joy of taking them to the pool. He was my hero. No way did I want to have to go down there and then even more painful, have to get out...
 

 
 

Like father like son:

And now, we are back home...counting the minutes until the big guy makes his appearance. 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

snow day in Seattle

 
 
 
 
 

gingerbread houses

 

 Aunt Andrea's annual Gingerbread house making wherein less than half of the candy makes it onto the house, instead sneakily making it into kids' tummies, Uncle Charles manages to find a way to make everyone feel like a winner AND the teenagers find a way to make their house inappropriate. 

 
 

skiing

First day of skiing is in the books. Dressing/undressing is the ultimate test in infinite patience but once every goggle, glove, sock and boot has been tweaked approximately 45 times per kid and we make it on the hill it is all so worth it. Watching all these kiddos going down the hill makes me infinitely happy.