Ski 2023

 Seven years of ski trips and this might be the best one yet! I've probably said that six times already but we did have a super trip! 

Last year we drove up on Wednesday and spent the night but we have so much travel this month with soccer, we decided to go back to driving up Thursday morning. Everyone did great being ready on time. We left right at 5. Kids slept half the way there, ate pop tarts and pancake on a stick, and counted cows. We got to Appalachian 820. Checking in was quick- we printed RF cards, got bibs for K and me ($15 each), and then picked up our rental equipment. This year T joined the snowboard group. We were waiting outside with friends by 855 for gates to open. We SHOULD have taken a family pic right at beginning but didn't and kids were skiing so much that we weren't all back together again until we were exhausted and ready to go home. New RF cards are nice- it was in the 50s all day so lots took off their jackets- much easier without paper tag. 

This year was our biggest group of friends yet- if I counted right, we knew 40 people there. Plus our teens ran into some CEF teens from Charlotte. KG skied with those teens a lot. We all did a run or two together on the bunny slope. V went up the lift with me once. After that I hardly saw any of our kids until they were hungry :) They split up into different groups and went all over. So fun!

I was thankful it was nice out so we could picnic outside again. We took the same thing we've taken lots of years- PB/nutella/ honey tortillas, Aldi Cheeze -its, sausage sticks, granola bars. Everyone put a water bottle in their shoes. We found another water fountain by the bathrooms. So one on each floor ;) Again we didn't tell people lunchtime or end time. Next time :)

We (well the kids) skied until 5. We turned everything in and then went to Mellow Mushroom. The hostess was very surprised when I asked for a table for 25, but they quickly put the tables together. We had a nice dinner with 4 other families. and then went to Bluedeercookies. I think we bought the rest of the cookies there and then went to a park. I thought at first the kids were too tired to play but it turned out they were just focused on dessert. After that, they had a great time! 

All went to sleep quickly and were happy to wake up to yummy cinnamon rolls at breakfast today. I was glad to find a table big enough for us all to sit together. I loved hearing everyone talk about their day. We drove home in the rain today. I thought of how we have so very much to be thankful for!

Past 6 six years ski posts

Ski 2022

Ski trip 2022 was a success!! 

Ski 2021

 We had another great ski trip! We packed Wednesday night and got off right at 5 am so we had time for Bo Biscuits/ sausage biscuits from Bojangles before we arrived at the ski slopes at 9. We checked in, got bibs/  equipment and were on the slopes by 10. the kids did did super skiing! V rode the lift for the first time! c did Orchard run and a few of the other blue runs. 

Lessons Learned-

1- it's nice to do all the paperwork on line. 

2- try to put down the correct height/ weights bc they actually want them to be correct. 

3- When the temperature is 55 degrees you'll want to put some clothes in the ski locker. So put your ski pass on your pants! 

4- Renting bibs for $9 is better than buying for $50

5- pack more water or find the water bottle refill spot behind the restaurant. 

6- water at the restaurant and dessert in the room afterwards is good tradition!

Ski 2020

Ski 2019

Ski-trip 2017

Christmas 2019

Merry Christmas! And Happy New Year! In past years, I would have tried to rearrange these photos to be in chronological order from this season, but ... the pictures will have to be where they are! Life is too short and full and wonderful and busy for me to be rearranging photos :) (Now if anyone is reading this and the order of your pictures bothers you, by all means, change them but I just read this super quote: 

"If you don't have time for things that matter, stop doing things that don't."

What a great thought! For me, recording some of the memories and moments matters, the order doesn't. so with that long intro :) 

Christmas 2019 was wonderful- not perfect but wonderful. We did have one big low - which was that my super husband James spent Christmas week sick in bed :( so you won't find him in many pictures, but he did say that he had time for lots of good thinking while he was in bed all week. 

We almost didn't paint this year because it's so messy but when my favorite 12 yo son asked several times, how could I say no. And I'm so glad we did. You can't tell in this pic with the backwards, inside out T-shirt, that everyone was really at peace. Enjoying being creative, enjoying Christmas music, just being together- I wish I could really capture that here!

We did have a lot of really good food. I didn't get pictures of Christmas breakfast (Eggnog French Toast Casserole) but it was good. Then we had delicious prime rib that my parents brought from FL. We used Steven's brussel sprouts idea which turned out great and the popovers were really good too! I really should have taken a picture of our Jesus cake because it didn't turn out so pretty, but it tasted good, it had layers of sin, covered in blood, then white as snow and growing new and green. Our life in Christ isn't always pretty but it's good! 

Fun to find Santa, cocoa, and cookies after the Christmas Eve service! 

I like working together as a family. James wrapped the box for the used candles from the candlelight service while the kids and I assembled candles and placed on seat. So good they can all help now! 

T enjoyed his painting class at Eday and painted lots of pictures this year! 

T painting #2. I don't have a painting of mine on here but it's beautiful Nativity! 

One of two tough puzzles these guys did quickly! 

Pre-Nutcracker fun with friends!

Christmas cookie decorating fun! 

Waiting for neighborhood Santa to arrive on the firetruck

The weather outside was not frightful
so outside was really delightful!
Since there wasn't any snow
To Cookout and Clark Park we must go! 

Christmas carol game fun- still my all time favorite Christmas game. I don't know if the game is on the link but there might be some other fun ones!

Christmas books are another favorite part for me! And movies! We saw some good ones- I really liked Paper Angels. Elf is funny. I cried through "All I want for Christmas." We watched all 3 Santa Clause movies this year- cute. 

Loved our walk in the woods- so nice out! I also enjoyed Ryan's Reindeer Run this year! Fun to see all the costumes and friendly faces!

Always fun to be with Spradlings! And they always feed us well. V looks like he's enjoying that whipped cream :) 

Merry Christmas! Almost got the whole crew!

Loved K's "Peach be with you" Nativity

New tradition- Rainbow Punch- I was aiming for green lime sherbet but we may keep this! Fun and easier to find! 

Our nursing home visit went well! Our 5th year going- 4th year coordinating! I wrote a post or evernote or some kind of note on lessons learned to continue to improve. but the real lesson learned is that it's good for everyone to give back. we felt joy at seeing the joy on some faces who hadn't had a hug, received a gift, been sung to for a long time! Love that! 
(Even if I get stressed while planning- so worth it!)

This was definitely a meaningful night. James and I went caroling with our Love and Respect small group. Tears

Love this amazing map of Ranger Rusty's Ramblings

We had such a great visit with Steven. So many things I could write about but Duck Donuts and pictures of fun playing sums up lots of it. Sweet and Fun!

So many hours of board games, 4 square (including lessons on how to really play), ping-pong, ...

Pine Valley Santa afternoon was fun!

Love decorating our tree! So many memories of our wedding, our life, ...

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Homeschool Ski 2018

CE and friends