New Year's Day Skiing . . .

The only way we were able to make it to Mt. Baker on New Year's Day at 8:45am was to not celebrate New Year's Eve the night before.

I'm not sure we'll do this every year but we did like the no wait lift lines for most of the day.

For our first Baker trip of the season we did great with remembering all our gear and food.  The only thing I forgot was 3 water bottles I left sitting at home on the counter.

The sky and weather was great for skiing, but the snow  - well, I've skied better.   The snow level is very low and the base is icy.  The grooming machines are doing their best to keep the main runs in good shape, but this mountain needs a good blizzard!

We had a great time though and the boys were very thankful we were able to go.  Josh and I were thankful for some generous Christmas gifts that allowed us to plan this trip without even thinking twice.  Even with the "5th graders ski free" program it's still a sting to the pocket book.

We'll probably only make it up a couple more times this season.  Hopefully all that glacial ice will be covered with lots and lots of snow. (It is pretty to look at though and my 10 year old took this picture with his new camera.)

Bouncy Ball Sillyness . . .

I'm obsessive about containment.  For example, I've been collecting these bouncy balls from around my house for a couple years now.  Sometimes I find them lying around or behind furniture when I clean.  Today, I added three to the bag.  They bounced right out of the dryer at me when I was pulling out the kid clothes.

 Bouncy balls, I'm sure, are made and marketed to be little bits of fun and sunshine all rolled up into a fun little package.  Personally, I find their bouncy sound grating, their consistency a waste of whatever they were made out of, and their small size a choking hazard. 

So why do I contain and save instead of capture and discard?
Part of me feels bad if I throw them away.  One of my boys was carrying it around and playing with it before they lost it and I found it.  And part of me has an evil little "ha ha ha" laugh inside when I confiscate another one and my collection grows.

After Christms Catch-Up . . .

I'm so glad it snowed last week.  A Christmas break is extra special when it snows.  It's like the kids can check that off their winter "to do" list. 

 "Play in the snow."  Check!

We spent Christmas Eve at Grandma Patty's and the boys opened up fun p.j.'s from Auntie Jodie.

We got home in time to quickly make cookies for Santa.

 

Then the boys headed off to go to sleep, which was difficult and there was even a bit of crying because someone just couldn't get to sleep. 

Then the stockings were hung by the banister with care.

And thankfully all my UPS shipped gifts arrived in time.  Some as late as the 24th.  Whew!

We had our family over on Christmas day and enjoyed a fun new game.  Kilter!

Today, I cooked a turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and monkey bread.   I spent 7 hours in the kitchen from start to finish. 

This coming week is MY week of Christmas vacation and I'm going to savor every minute!  There are two new restaurants in Lynden and I'm ready to try them out.