First Time On Skis

We got to the lodge early on Monday so Sharaya and Allie decided to go tubing. The rest of us stayed inside where it was warm and we just watched.

 

Can you see the person coming down the hill with their arms up? That's Sharaya! Allie is at the top, about ready to come down.

We were able to buy our passes there at the lodge so we didn't have to wait in line at the start of the trail.

We drove into Leavenworth and rented our equipment: skis, poles and boots. Chuck and Beth decided not to do it so they brought their phones and tablets and hung out in Starbucks while we drove the 10 minutes to the trails. 

We had signed up the day before to get lessons but when we got to the little cabin place, I was told that the form was just to let them know we wanted lessons. Then they would contact us and we could set up a time. But it was Christmas Eve and they weren't giving lessons that day. "But it's really easy and I know you guys will be able to figure it out!"

People will tell you that cross-country skiing is a lot like walking. But they forget to tell you it's a lot like walking... on ice!

This was the very beginning of the cross-country trail.

I fell about 3 yards into it, right away, bam! Down I went! We all took our turns, falling and laughing, falling and laughing!

Sharaya and Allie seemed to get the hang of it really fast and they left Diana and I in the dust. At one point we spotted them across a small, I don't know, a valley thing, they were way ahead of us let me put it that way! So much so that Diana suggested we just take off our skis and run to catch up with them, so we did! It gives a whole new meaning to 'dashing through the snow'!

After a while we all got our rhythm and ended up having such a great time! The scenery was gorgeous, it was so quiet and I sometimes stopped just to take some pictures of our surroundings. I can't remember the last time I tried something new like this! A lifelong memory for sure!

 

A Christmas Like No Other

Earlier this year Sharaya and Diana suggested we go somewhere for Christmas and create memories, rather than just buying each other gifts we really didn't need. So Chuck got on-line and reserved our timeshare in Chelan, WA. 

For months we've been planning, trying to figure out what we wanted to do and what kinds of places there were in Chelan. When they announced Mary Poppins Returns was coming out we were so excited that we'd be able to see it while we were there, but looking on-line, Chelan didn't have a theater. 

We saw there was a small ski resort about 10 miles from where we'd be staying so we planned to go skiing! For the first time ever! It was supposed to snow while while we were there so we'd make snowmen and have snowball fights... we were all ready for some time away to just have fun!

Diana flew in from Pennsylvania on Thursday. Chuck picked her up from the airport and we all met for lunch.

Then Friday morning we loaded up our cars and headed up to the mountains. Chelan's about 3-4 hours from our house but they said it might snow going over the pass so we weren't sure what to expect. Thankfully the roads were bare and dry and we made good time. 

   

We were SO excited to be at the condo! No responsibilities, no deadlines, just fun and relaxation!

We had a gorgeous view from our room and were on the first floor so we had direct access to the lake and any snow that might fall! We got in right at dusk so decided to go get some dinner.

The weekend was filled with shopping and playing games and laughing...

When we went out for dinner the first night, we found a movie theater! It was over 100 years old and one of the employees came to the front before the movie started and talked to us about the theater's history and gave us some trivia about Mary Poppins Returns. Did you know they asked Julie Andrews to appear in a cameo but she turned it down because she wanted Emily Blunt to get the acclaim for this one. I wish she had done it! Oh well, it's still a great movie! And so much fun seeing it in this old theater.

 

We got to the condo on Friday night and on Saturday night it snowed! Diana and I woke up early and went for a walk. It was so cold!

Our condo is in the center, under the one with all the lights on.

Then later I walked down to the lake. I wasn't sure how far away it was but found out it was just two blocks from our back door! And it was gorgeous!

Even with this snowfall there wasn't enough for the small resort near us to open, so we decided to take the entire day on Monday and drive to Leavenworth to go skiing there. It was about an hour away but we knew they had snow because we had friends who had been skiing there for weeks. 

Since none of us had been on skis before, we decided cross-country skiing would be a good place to start. People had been telling us that cross-country skiing is a lot like walking. But they forgot to mention one small detail...

(To be continued...)

Cheesy Smiles

Beth and I started this tradition of smiling at each other when we leave the house. 

We have a big window in the dining room and whenever one of us leaves, we always make sure we're at the window for our cheesy smile! 

If she leaves before me, I open the blinds and we 'cheesy smile' as she goes to the bus.

If I leave first, she'll open the blinds and smile at me from the dining room.

I've been trying to get a picture but if she sees my phone she'll smile so fast, I've never been able to capture that amazing face! 

But earlier this week we were both sitting at the table waiting for her bus and when she headed to the door, I got ready.

 

Gotcha!! 

 

Look at that face!

This always makes me laugh! 

It's a great way to start my day!

Do you and your kids have any little traditions or quirks that are yours and yours alone?

Christmas Tree Napkins

Chuck and Beth came to work today to help me fold 100 napkins. I forgot to order the linens for a youth event this week and had to have the company bring them on a special trip. 

When they didn't show up at the time they said, I called them and found out they accidentally delivered them to the wrong church! So Chuck, Beth and I drove to the other church to get them. Then they stayed to help me fold them!

  
We watched a tutorial on Youtube and after we did the first few, it was pretty easy. Fold and turn and tuck... 

And the end result?

Here's a decorated table from an event last year.

Do you have a special way to decorate your Christmas table?

Nine

We celebrated Allie this week. Sharaya had a 'friends' party on her actual birthday, December 2nd. She had it at a local pool, perfect for the mermaid theme!

Then this past Sunday Allie wanted to go to MOD Pizza for lunch, and then we came back here for cupcakes and presents.

We had some balloons sitting on the table and after we had cake and ice cream, we went out to the living room and 'bopped' those balloons back and forth for the longest time!

Have you ever done that? Sit on the couch while your kids run, stretch, bend and basically wear themselves out?! It's awesome!

Allie is so creative, she's strong, determined... I absolutely love hanging out with her! Happy Birthday Allie! I hope you had a fun week!