Start of February

Winter times -- February -- girls are making more friends up at the mountain in their ski group, which has been great.

Anja - Ellie - Claire

I snapped a quick picture of the ski room --this room is one of the best parts of our condo. It is heated (even more heated this year as bill added a space heater on a timer!). But it keeps all our gear and boots, etc out of our condo and is big enough for us all to get ready. 

the girls drew these and I just LOVE them!

An Oaks promo document came home and look who was on it! Ellie.  

Shelly, Barbara and myself had lunch down in Kendall Yards by the river and it was rushing like crazy! 

we had a race at Mt Spokane mid-Feb and it was a perfectly clear day when we arrived. This is lake Coeur d'Alene

hiking up the race hill to get a spot to view the race. 

 Claire - the snow was ROCK hard 

Claire

me and Bill at the bottom - cheering on the crew

love how claire is squinting so hard because of how bright it was.

 Claire - Anja - Ellie - Phyliss hanging out in the sun. 

Charlie! 

 Charlie and Bill. We forgot Charlie's helmet and goggles (whoops!) at home so he wore Bill's helmet and goggles. 

Charlie chowing down with lunch

Mitchell - Jameson - Charlie during lunch - these boys are such goofballs.

Tom and Laura had been in town up at the mountain for a week and a half and met us at Mt Spokane race day!

Claire and Pappy 

Ellie all wrapped up in Bubba's clothing. 

Pappy getting mauled by the kids. They loved having them at the race!

this is not the real results - they were playing around. this is honestly probably the only way I would be thrilled with ski racing if my girls tied! 

Back in town it was beautiful. Bill set up the slackline the kids got for christmas. They are loving it!'

with the olympics on we did lots of this and Lily was in heaven with Bubba there.

Girls loved getting new suits and ear muffs with Bubba!

They begged for tic tacs in the checkout and I said - I bet these will provide an hour of entertainment. I had an errand to run and Bubba said - yes - the tic tacs provided the girls 2 solid hours of entertainment. ha! 

lily waiting for Laura to come up from downstairs. 

The girls did the winter session for Ballet at school. The enjoyed it! 

more February fun to come...

January 2018 happenings

Emma, a classmate of E&C, sent home these sweet cards. Girls love writing notes!

playing on the snow pile before heading out to ski.

we found a small spot by claire's forehead that looks as if it was cut. claire claims no. i am not so sure. 

this is a blurry photo from Mrs. Holland of the girls in the class who do Ballet on Tuesdays after school. The girls just signed up for this session and are loving it. 

more snow eating and playing.

we are getting very close to the girls both not fitting in the tub anymore. when they are in there they are all legs! 

ellie on the snow!

When Bill was on his ski trip and I was solo parenting up at the mountain it was an extremely warm weekend. The girls were so hot! 

Bill's ski trip ended up at Schweitzer on Sunday so he saw us for a bit. the rest of our crew was laughing at him for eating with us while his group was up at the top having a beer. 

Ellie and Luke

we love Ann and Addi and their family! so thankful for their help while I was skiing along with the girls on Sunday! 

Ellie trying on Bill's old bomber jacket. love that jacket! 

claire with it on. yes they are both in underwear only. they like to sleep like that so after bath they usually only put on undies and their robes. 

Saturday morning we heard that Bill's Grandma - Gamo - as we affectionately called her - entered Heaven. We were sad to hear the news, but are rejoicing that she is without pain. We will miss her deeply. 

We flew to Minneapolis Thursday and Ellie was cuddling with her Auntie Dotes by 2pm. 

hanging out with little Lynnie

Auntie Margit juggling Janie and Lynnie

me and Paul!

Auntie Margit with Claire

Ellie was in full babysitting mode with Janie. 

2nd Cousin - Michael (who is probably 6' 6") having the girls hang out on his shoulders after the power went out at Lynn's house (after the funeral there was a huge gathering that evening at Lynn's house). 

Ellie found this owl in one of the flower baskets at the funeral and brought it back and now it is on her dresser. 

So thankful for the Hope we have in Christ that we will see our beloved Gamo again.