Annual Family Trip to "The Cabin"

Memories from our trip:
1. Good snow, beautiful weather, and a snow storm arrives just as we're leaving. Works for me; however, Jarrod would prefer to be skiing instead of driving in the weather.
2. Amazing improvement of the kids this year while skiing. No more edgy-wedgies!
3. McKenna managed to avoid people for the most part, only running across the skis of one person...and no major wipe outs this year. She was able to stay in control MOST of the time. She even made it down Exhibition (a steep blue on the mountain face) which Jensen kept calling Expedition so we started calling it everything and anything that rhymed with Exhibition.
4. The lift lines were horrible the first two days; however, the third day was awesome. The weather was beautiful but the winds were pretty strong. KK stayed at the house with Nana, Bob-bob, Jef, Mars and Tristen. Jensen was so excited to have Mumma and Daddy all to himself and he did Great! Because of the winds, the lift lines were short to non-existant. Jensen went down his first black (the top of Eagle Glades) and he did superb. He was so stoked!
5. The most memorable moment of all time was when Jensen was in the loft and noticed the rat pellets. He then reported that it smelled awful and proceeded to snuggle up in a blanket...with a dead pack rat! I've never seen anyone fly down the loft ladder as quickly as he did! He then proceeded straight to the bathroom to wash his dead-critter infested hands. Of course all of the kids had to go up and look at the poor creature and then demonstrate the expression on it's face.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I realize that Christmas is over and we are into the new year; however, for all of you faithful family and friends who continue to send Christmas cards year after year, even though you get no card in return...this is for you. We love and cherish those cards and family updates. Maybe one of these days you will receive a card from our family!

What we love about our kids!
Jensen: His love of building things and his interest in studying instruction manuals...particularly if they are related to Lego's or games. He is not really interested in music; however, he has been diligently working on his drawing skills. He's very sweet and cuddly...even at the age of 10! I hope he's always willing to give his mom a hug. What a gentle and kind-hearted young man he is!

McKenna: Her strong will and determination can sometimes get her into trouble but we love her tenacity. It'll be great to see how God uses that to His advantage! She's very adventurous and athletic. She loves to listen to music and enjoys making up her own songs. She has attempted piano lessons (which she thinks she has mastered at age 7) and loves to play her Dad's guitars.

God has a great sense of humor and I'm glad he gave us one as well. Our awesome creator has blessed us with two precious kiddos.

Dakota the Cat and Kodi the Dog's first Christmas!

KK loves her animals!

Christmas Eve at Nana and Bob-bob's!

Cousin Marsden and Jensen

Christmas Morning!
We really thought that one of the kids would get coal in their stocking from Saint Nick; however, the un-named suspect must have put in over time and been taken off the naughty list at the last minute.

KK showing off her song writing ability. Let's see if she will listen to her dad's instructions and actually learn to play another artist's tunes.

BEWARE - Construction zone. Enter at your own risk. Notice (in the background) one structure has been completed and he has moved on to the next project. Such efficiency!

Christmas Day at Aunt Wendy's with Cousin Lauren and friend, Erika.

The kids with Gran-dad and Frances

The kids with Aunt Margaret.

Gran-daddy and Aunt Margaret

The kids with Gran-mom

This year we did something different to help us remember the true celebration of Christmas. We made an Advent wreath and read a daily devotion from the book A Family Advent. We began the Sunday following Thanksgiving and finished on Christmas Eve with the Christmas story. The kids enjoyed lighting the candle(s) and learning the meaning for each. I also enjoyed reading A Keepsake Christmas to get ideas for future traditions we can begin as a family.