Well, it's a little embarrassing that here I am, writing about Christmas, when my last post was way back during Thanksgiving. It's like December just sort of slipped away from us. A brief recap would look like this: 

Climb, ski, ski. Ski, climb. Dance recital. School Christmas things. Ski.

Rach and Adz

So, there you go. We are now caught up.

Ev at the resort

Ringing the bell. Rach does this every year with all of the kids. For the kids, it's a two hour stint. For Rachel, it's ten hours in the cold. They have a good time though. Lindsey won this year's informal contest for who could raise the most money, coming in a little over $400 during her short shift. Not bad.

Lindsey, on the left, did great in her hip-hop dance recital

As for the Christmas vacation itself, my parents came up for about a week to hang out with us. We had a great time doing stuff around the house with them. We got out for a day at Vantage to do some hiking and climbing. Christmas morning was relaxed and relatively quiet- just how I like it. On one evening, the adults were able to get away for some interruption-free conversation. On a different day, a few of us went skiing. Nothing extravagant, but each of these activities was punctuated with laughter, smiles, conversation, and shared appreciation for each other. It was perfect.

Climbing and hiking at Vantage.

The ski crew

Bowling is always fun.

Going on walks.

Knitting. That was a little different.

And of course, playing games. Lots and lots of games.

A little later this week I'll fly out for a quick trip to see family in Utah, and then this crazy year will be behind us. It certainly been an interesting one.

Have a good week!

Well, the results are in, and there has never, in the past 16 years, been a landslide victory to match the likes of this one. Not only did we have more votes than ever before, but the race wasn't even close. The winners had three times more votes than the other two contestants put together! And so, it is with much humility and grace that I offer you the winners of the 2020 gingerbread contest.

Noah's Ark!

The other teams were good too. We are so thankful for our extended family for indulging us and being a part of our little competition. Besides building these houses, it was wonderful to be able to spend time with everyone laughing, playing games, reconnecting, and making memories.

As for our activities since then, I have been hosting climbing nights at our home gym. Rachel, Addy, Jackson, and I went hiking with some friends in Cle Elum. Evelyn is thriving in band and in her art class. Maren and Lindsey do dance. Jackson is lovin' the boy scouts. And the whole family is out on the slopes pretty much every week now. Welcome, winter! 

Have a good week!