Mount Baker

When we pulled into the parking lot that morning we saw

Scott, Brittney, Carson and Hunter. We ran into them

again at lunch.

We had the best table ever on the 3rd floor. It was big enough
for our whole family, all our hats and gloves and food, and Scott's

family as well. It was fun to run into them on the mountain.

After lunch we broke into different groups and skied with them.

The best ski lunch is simple, quick and full of carbs. Bagels

are our favorite.

Chips, yogurt, lots of water!

Apres Ski

Katie and Josh. Josh had his best day of skiing yet.
All the equipment felt good, and he looked very
relaxed on the slopes all day.


Puttin the gear away.

Diane and Dennis. Dennis got better and better

as the day progressed.

Katie and her fancy boots. It takes alot of work getting in

and out of those things. Josh came around and helped her out

of them. How nice.

Devin had a great day skiing. He drove his truck up since we

no longer have room for everyone in one vehicle.

Diane and Eric. They're out looking for Dennis, who is looking

for Devin's truck, but he's not going to find it because Devin's

truck got moved closer to the lodge when we finished skiing.

It's a Wonderful Life

After a fun day on the slopes, we headed home for a nice

spaghetti dinner, listened to carolers who came to our door,

ate the cookies they brought, and settled in for a relaxing

evening watching our favorite Christmas movie,

It's a Wonderful Life.

That show always makes me feel more gratitude for my

family and all the good things in my life.

Christmas Dinner

In order to get all the celebrating in, Christmas really ends up

lasting a week or so. Sunday before Christmas we had our big

turkey dinner. We also invited both my mother and Keith's

mother to spend the day with us and go to church with us.

It was wonderful to have the whole family sitting together.

We took almost a whole row. Then coming home to a delicious

traditional turkey dinner with all the fixins was heavenly.

I just love Christmas time!

More Gingerbread...

I Love Gingerbread Houses!

Our family makes gingerbread houses almost every year.

Not just the graham cracker or packaged variety, but the

completely from scratch, Grandma's Old Fashioned Molasses

kind of gingerbread. It's a lot of work. But the house smells

delicious. For days afterwords! Everyone gets to put their

best building and decorating skills to work. It's fun to see

what the kids will come up with each year. Lani and Diane

wanted to get together, so Lani stopped by with Brody on

Monday. Brody was so excited to make a house!

Devin worked into the evening so he put his house together

after the tumult had died down. Nice use of royal icing.

Josh and Katie have a fancy candy cane fence and a rather cute
Santa on the roof.

Diane and Dennis put a cute candy cane arch leading into the

pathway.

We all loved Eric's nice gumdrop tower-like chimney.

Traditionally, we don't eat them until Christmas. They're

actually pretty tasty too!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

There's just something so cheerful about a yard full of

Christmas lights during the darkest part of Winter!

The porch gives off a nice golden glow with the lights

wrapped around. See the tree in the window?

Devin got some nice pictures with his fancy new camera.

So Christmasy!