Merry Christmas 2016

forgot to put this on here, but wanted a record of it somewhere! 

Wrapping up 2016!

The kids started the SARS and STARS ski race camps the 27th so we had lots of adult free time to ski during the morning and afternoons. 

This is a regular thing - pulling the girls around. They can skate around, but sometimes it is easier to just pull them.

Charlie was loving having the Wii U set up to play with Mitchell and Colin. 

Thanks to my mom, who left her skate skis, I have been able to spend an hour or so skate skiing which is PLENTY of time since it is one of the most exhausting sports. So much fun to break away and sweat on the beautiful mountain.

finally the clouds were moving so we could see the lake.

my parents played Catan with us one night, but after they left we had some serious games of catan.

 I did quite possibly the dumbest thing I have ever done. I left my liners of my old ski boots next to a heater and they ballooned up to the size of marshmallows and after trying with all my might to have them work (and had Rick - boot doctor of sorts try to fix them for a day) they just weren't going to work. Sooooo I did something I have NEVER done. Bought full retail ski boots at the mountain (from rick - ha!). So horrible, but beyond thankful Bill was so gracious for my dumb mistake. Otherwise I would have been skiing all year with a boot that made my entire feet go numb and tingling within minutes. 

my view from picnic point when I skate ski out here. 

slowly the blue skies were appearing! 

The last day of the ski camp --December 31st -- the kids had a ski race. It was so cute to see them all ready.

 Apparently I don't have any pictures of their actual race....hmmm. Charlie raced too and don't have any pics of him. I think Bill has all of them. Anyway - girls did great - missed a few gates so got participation awards. Charlie also missed the timer at the end so didn't get a place, but proud of the hard work they put in during the week.

the girls spent most of their time at the awards ceremony rolling down this hill.

New Years Eve we went to a friends house who was brave enough to host some families with kids. We had a great time and stayed through midnight. 

Charlie and Mitchell were sledding most of the night and then at 11:45pm curled up here and fell asleep. ha! 

the girls spent most of their time in and out of the hot tub and then ended with playing with blocks.

a fun way to end our long break at Schweitzer! 

our car was really snowed in after sitting for almost 10 days straight. this was after we initially dug it out. 

back at home the kids worked on thank you cards. 

Ellie insisted Suz had red hair and drew this card. 

Claire insisted Auntie Suz had black hair and drew this thank you card. 

What a wonderful break. It was a hard transition back to reality, but the packers won and we adjusted and are just getting back to our groove mid - january. ha!  

Christmas Eve 2016

Christmas Eve on the mountain was a blast! The girls had such a fun time meeting Santa. 

Ellie said "he isn't a real santa because his beard isn't attached". ha! 

My mom and I brought the girls up to the top of the mountain to do the balloon parade with Santa.  It was super awesome! 

getting ready!

Santa - coming in hot!

santa started the parade and guess who snuck in RIGHT behind Santa! ELLIE. That girl is hilarious about how she ALWAYS makes her way to the front. 

this was really cool to watch. Classic ellie was at the front. 

Claire in blue.

Ellie in purple.

these icicles were incredible on the house next to our condo.

Christmas eve - we went to the chapel for an interesting church service. Then home to make dinner and do presents. Dinner was the delicious beef tenderloin, which again was a bit challenging in a smaller kitchen but thanks to my mom we pulled it off. 

we started with the kids handing out their presents. it was awesome. I got jiggly christmas tree earrings! Bill got a bracelet. we love them so much! 

me and claire.

the girls made various gifts at school. i love them!

these are amazing.

claire.

ellie.

Ellie gave Claire hand sanitizer and that is pure joy right there from claire.

 

ellie looks so old here!

Charlie opening his gift from the girls.

both girls got charlie some little bug things that hopped. ha!

this was the year of so much craziness I didn't do a good job getting good pictures. but this is what we have so guess it will do. I do love watching the kids open the presents they picked out for each other that we don't even know about. So fun.

sweet hugs among the wanting and needing more!  

Bill made the kids sit on the chairs to show they were being some what controlled.

view of the presents spilling out into the hallway.

stoking the fire!

we had seen this hilarious trick where you wrap a empty present and throw it in the fire. well - Grant re-wrapped a present that was opened and Bill took a perfect time to throw it into the fire. the kids were stunned!

Bill video taped it. 

the kids recovered and were on to the next presents. 

Charlie received a swiss army knife and about 1 minute later he cut his finger. ha!

love this picture - holding the knife and bandaged finger.

opening the Wii U. just a blur of happiness! 

I asked for a robe and slippers for Christmas. Bill surprised me with this down robe. it is a bit of a sight, but warm! He also surprised me with a trip to see Becca in Phoenix. I cried I was so surprised and happy! 

  

don't worry in the midst of all the fun, a kid bumped suzanne and wine was spilled on the new couch. fun times! thankful for the scotchguard that was on the couch. 

 

 Lots of hugs for Nana and G Pops

  

yeah for new ski gloves!

the excitement was there!

Ellie receiving her own big girl Bible. They love carrying around Charlies so much it was time for each of them to get one.  

Bill opening his squatty potty! so horrible, but i thought it was a funny gift. 

bill thought i was bombing on all levels. but he opened this "baby wipe" box to reveal blankets a friend of mine had made with old memorable t-shirts. Sadly I can't find a picture of them so I need to do that when I get back up to the Mountain. 

Around 9pm - we were still up with presents and chatting and we heard sirens. Of course I start freaking out because you never hear that up at the mountain. We went on the deck and saw the fire engine decked out in lights with a santa and all. Turns out Christmas at Schweitzer is a pretty fun place without a lot of emergencies. 

What a CELEBRATION! We had a great time and it was delightful to open the presents on Christmas Eve. I grew up doing that and it definitely felt like Christmas for me. I also totally forgot which present was what - something my mom used to always do - so I felt just like her. We a wonderful Christmas we had!