Skiing Mt. Baker...

I can safely say it has been 20 years since I've been down hill skiing.  Thankfully, it's much like riding a bike in that you don't forget once you've learned.  I loved skiing when I was in my teens and I hope this turns out to be something the boys enjoy too.
Josh took a week off from work this week and we decided to take the whole family skiing at Mt. Baker.  Our day started at 6:30am and we were out the door about 7:30am.  We made it up to the lodge around 9:15.  Getting 5 people fully outfitted with rental gear took some time.  We stood in line, filled out paperwork and waited some more.  During this time Josh realized a very important item he forgot... his big winter jacket.  Ooops!  We were bound to forget something trying to get 5 people out of the house on our first ski trip.  He was fine though, he had polypropylene as layer one, a long sleeve as layer two and a fleece pullover as layer three.  The rental staff even gave him a free rain pullover.  He was plenty warm.

Finally, about 10:15 we were outside and working on getting the boys into their skis.   Before I go any further I want to thank Michelle B. for all the helpful tips.  I was prepared for everything, down to the height and weight of my boys.  I am so thankful for the info she shared with me.  And a big thank you also goes out to my Mom who stopped by my house at noon to let the dog out and play ball with her. 

Our time on the mountain had it's ups and downs.  It started out with excitement but switched to frustration which hit it's peak right before we were scheduled to have a lesson that would last an hour and a half.  Josh and I made the decision to get the boys in the lodge and get everyone fed before we went any further. This helped tremendously and spirits and enthusiasm came back. 

We made it down the first big hill with much effort.  We had to go down if we were ever going to ride the chair lift.  Frustration raised its head again. Since we missed our lesson, everything had to be learned on the fly.  The 6 year old had it easy.  His skis were short, he didn't have to hold any poles and I skied behind him with my arms under his.  It worked well and he was a happy camper.  He loved it.  The 11 and 8 year old had to do it on their own with only the basics.  Our first trip up the chair lift had everyone in good spirits again.  Thankfully for those helpful tips again - I knew just how to tell the chair operators to slow it down for us as we got on and off.  It took a long time to ski back to the lodge and we all felt it was time for more rest and snacks. 

After being refueled the boys were ready to give it another go.  Amazingly, everything clicked for them and they took off ready to conquer the mountain.  They were awesome and so proud of their own effort.  They could see how fast they improved.  Josh and I were proud of them too.  Our second run down was 4 times as fast as that first one and the 3rd one even faster. We didn't alter our route, the boys just stopped falling and flailing.  They had found their need for speed and pointed their little skis down the "green" coded slopes and took off.  Little one was only disappointed then because the run had then become so quick and our day was over. 

Yes, we only made it up the lift 3 times but we ended on a good note. When asked if they would like to do this again the boys' emphatically answered "YES!" And then Mama smiled.

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day...

I'm compelled to post simply so I don't have to look at that elf any longer. 

Christmas Eve had us missing our Grandma Patty as she was in California spending time with her sister and helping her to get well.  But we stuck with tradition and spent a fun evening at her house with Uncle Chuck.  We had pizza and opened Auntie Jodie gifts.

The boys really liked the ornaments and pajamas.  A tradition they look forward too.

Christmas morning came at 6:30 in the morning.  That was after the 1:30 am wake up and the 3:30 one too in which Josh finally went and slept in the boys' room to get them back to sleep.

The calm before the storm...

Some brotherly love...

The Scientist found a comfy place to sit on the pile of wrapping paper.
In the afternoon we headed over to my Mom's house.  We sang some songs, opened a few gifts and had a lovely prime rib dinner.  Grandma Patty was missed but I managed to do right by her and brought the spiced pears and twice baked potatoes.  

I just missed getting fully into the picture as did my brother.  That's what happens when you only take one shot.  The food was too good to mess around with taking pictures.

Fiddle's Farewell...

 Our Elf from the North bids us farewell tonight.  He surprised the boys with donuts for breakfast and a little note.

I'm not sure if starting boys out on a sugar high is the best way to achieve "kind acts towards each other."  I'll be speaking with Fiddle before he leaves.

The Sun Came Out...

With the boys and I officially on Christmas break we headed out to soak up some sun.  Semiahmoo spit offers a long beach, drift wood,  and direct access to the afternoon sun.

The boys took off right away.

I tried to soak up some sun.

 Mt. Baker was sunning herself as well.

I'm ready are you?...

I am reminded daily of how many days until Christmas there are.  But I'm ready.

The Wise Men are making their way to the manger...

We are waiting for the baby Jesus to arrive.

 Remembering Christmases long, long ago...

 I have all my favorite things...

And my most favorite thing at Christmas is Christmas cards.  I love them and I love getting mail.  I love personal notes and updates on how things are.  I look forward to it all December.

Something Pretty...

I bought these 3 snowflake cylinder candle holders last year after Christmas when they were on sale.  I've been waiting all year to use them and almost forgot about them. 

After stopping by my favorite Lynden stores, Grandiflora and the Green Barn, I had everything I needed to create a little something pretty on my table. 

Elf Update...

To the boys' delight some little chocolate figures sprang up overnight.

Elf Fun...

Fiddle, our elf from the North Pole brought back a candy cane garden kit from his recent trip and meeting with Santa.

Even elves like bargains.

Magical North Pole Dirt

Sprinkling the Fertilizer

Watching and waiting...

 Tomorrow if the boys have been good something nice might spring up.

(Other Elves have been bringing these kits to other boys and girls too.) 
See HERE.

♪ ♫ Oh little town of ... ♪ ♫

We have lived in the sweet little town of Lynden just over 2 years now.  Our neighborhood is a great group of people who have created their own traditions over the past 20 years.  One of them is a Christmas lights competition (which is very mild), caroling and desert social afterwards.  The last two years it's been canceled due to bad weather.  But this year the weather cooperated and the caroling wagon was out to pick us up at 7pm.

It was cold and we may have made one loop more around the neighborhood  than the boys would have liked but it was worth it.  I had fun and enjoyed the fresh air and social time afterwards.

Not the Spa...

No picture today just a story.  I try to keep things real here on my blog although I often leave out much of the difficult parts of life and homeschooling.  My boys like to read my blog so I keep things cheery, fun and good humored.  Like a family scrapbook where we put in the good pictures and remember all the good stuff.

This post will deviate from that a bit.

I took a little trip into Bellingham yesterday afternoon.  Not in my own vehicle but in a very warm and brightly lit Whatcom County ambulance.  All is well this morning but yesterday was scary.  The morning time seemed to be going well even with the occasional obstinate child and pestering of siblings.  I'd had a few flutters in my heart which were making me catch my breath but I wasn't giving it much thought.  I also had a crick in my back like I slept wrong and my back muscles were really tight.  School finished up, lunch was eaten and we headed out to take a walk around the loop.  That went fairly well too.  I walked while the boys road bikes or skated with the leashed dog.  It was the last few 100 yards that I started to feel tired.  It was very cold out out my core stayed tight the whole time trying to stay warm.

We got inside and I tried to rest on the couch.  I was having a hard time getting a deep breath.  I called Josh and told him about my morning and how I was feeling.  I needed the voice of reason to cut through any panicky feelings I was starting to have.

It seemed to work but when I got off the phone I burst into tears and things went bad fast.  The events that followed went quickly too.  I got very dizzy and was having trouble getting enough air to breathe.  I called to the boys to come here.  Then I got a flash of hot and sweat and I was sure I was going to pass out.  I quickly called 911 and gave them my address.  I needed air and made my way to the front porch to sit while I gave 911 my info.   I told my oldest to call Josh back on the house phone.  Josh gave instructions to call our wonderful neighbor.  I helped my son scroll through the numbers on the phone to find the right one.  My focus was bad and I felt woozy.  I was only on the porch a minute or so and got so cold I had to get inside.

The events were happening so fast and my eyes were only half way open.  I know if I didn't have my boys around to give instructions to I would have passed out.  I sat on the entry way bench and waited.  Our neighbor was over in a flash.  The oldest was back on the phone with my husband who was setting a new record for commuting home.  I sat in the entry, shivering, teeth chattering and closed my eyes.  Josh was asking questions on the phone and I was told to sit in a different chair with my feet up.  I was asked if I wanted to lay down and I said no, no I need to breathe.  I was shivering and having a hard time getting enough air in my lungs.

I worked hard to calm my breathing and my neighbor wrapped me in blankets.  In no time I had 6 medic type people around me and they were asking me questions.  I got all tense again, my chest tightened up and I started to hyperventilate.  They hooked me up to the field EKG monitor, gave me oxygen and tested my CO2 when I exhaled.  I got chewable baby asprin and lots more questions.  The monitor showed a slight irregularity in my heart so the decision was made to take me in for further tests.  Josh left the boys with our neighbor and called my mom who came over to watch the boys for the rest of the day.

The drama basically ends here.  The ride in was calm and they really cranked up the heat for me in the ambulance.  My chest started to relax and my only remaining complaint was that I couldn't get a full breath.  The ER staff was great.  I had a funny RN nurse named Patrick who commented on my lovely dolphin beaded necklace strung on dental floss.  I had totally forgotten I put that on this morning to show appreciation to the son who made it for me.  The ER doc had another EKG run, blood test and an X-ray to rule out a blood clot in my lungs.  All came back clean.  All systems are strong and healthy.  He gave me a little relaxer to help my chest loosen up and in about an hour I was feeling like I could take deeper breaths.  On the other had I felt like I had just been hit by a truck and put through the ringer.  I was wore out.
I'm feeling better this morning but the Christmas to do list is still in front of me.  Crunch time to get packages out by mid week looms over my head.  A playground presentation for our community association is due tonight and I still have baking I want to get done for those packages I'm sending out. 
I am not a wonder-woman and if my brain forgets to remind me of that my body certainly will.
So, I didn't get a spa day yesterday but I was certainly fussed over and I'm sure it's going to cost far more than a visit to a Spa.

Winter Party...

The company holiday party was this weekend.  Time to dress up and enjoy an evening out. 

 I do enjoy getting dressed up once a year but not the shopping for the dress.  I find it very important to find something that will keep me warm, can be worn more than once during the winter (to church or for Christmas pictures), looks festive enough for a party and doesn't cost too much. I'd also like to find it in less than 30 minutes and that includes the trying on time. 

This year Josh celebrated 10 years at the company.  He was really sick with the head cold but managed to enjoy the dinner and his recognition.  We are all very proud of his accomplishments.

On another note...
The boys did all the decorating on our tree this year.  We didn't get all the ornaments on but I think it looks pretty good.

It looks kinda small as a backdrop but it's really the perfect size for our house.

Jelly Bean...

That's the name of our amazing goldfish.  Jelly Bean. 

 This fish is amazing because it has lived for over 2 1/2 years in this bowl.  

 Some days are better than others.  Occasionally he floats on his side and gives us all a scare thinking he may be ready to draw his last breath.  Other days he has problems with his buoyancy and can't do anything but float to the top.  This is actually kinda funny because he'll work hard to swim down and then take a break and up he floats. 

The boys think this fish has set a world record for living and they're convinced he should be in the Guinness Book of World Records.