Skiing 201

Before this winter season began, Matt and I talked about whether or not we should invest in ski passes and ski gear.  We were fairly skeptical that Isaac would get into it and thus thought our time at the local ski area would be limited.  Instead, we have been pleasantly surprised by Isaac's enthusiasm and natural ability for skiing. As it turns out, we spend one day every weekend up on the mountain.  Guess we should have bought the passes back when they were cheap!

Our family days at the ski hill have been awesome.  They have become the highlight of our weeks during these long, cold winter days in which we are often sequestered inside.  For me, and I think for all of us, they have come to represent an outdoor cleansing and recharge for the soul.  I look forward to it every week and relish our time there.

There she is, our local ski hill, White Pine.

Looking down to the lodge.

 Going up

Coming down

Getting in his groove

Perfect time for an M&M refueling

 Isaac is really enjoying skiing!

And he's doing awesome! We are really proud of him for trying and learning something new,
and we are tickled at how much he enjoys it.

Here he is shreddin' the gnar:

Although Cade and I spend a lot of time in close proximity to the lodge--whether hanging out with friends, or Dad, Isaac, and Uncle Steve during lunch breaks, sledding, or just soaking up sun--we always go for our own ski also.  Our version of skiing is a little more tame as we stick to the cross country trails.  Caden benefits from a sweet, luxurious ride in a sled that I pull; hence, I don't go very fast.  He usually sleeps through the whole event.

 My buddy for the day.

Even lodge rats have some fun.

This is not a sad boy.  I was trying to capture his awesome eyes in the good light.  I think I caught him mid-chew.  Aren't his eyes cool?

Christmas in Salt Lake

For Christmas 2014, we enjoyed a large family gathering in Salt Lake City.  The gathering was a blending of two families--the Anderson crew, with all three brothers present, plus our sister-in-law Emily's family.  Emily's sister, Amy, and her family live in Salt Lake.  With them being there and due to its central location, it seemed a reasonable meeting place for the two families.  We rented a large house that easily accommodated us, Matt's parents, brother Mike and his family, brother Stephen, and Emily's parents, Bill and Rita.  Amy and her husband, Harry, and their children spent time at the house as well.  We were definitely a large group!!  We enjoyed having lots of low-key time around the house to hang out with family and to let the kids romp.

We also managed to get out and enjoy the city some.  We visited the children's discovery museum and the Hill Air Force Base aviation museum.  We saw a cool, extravagant display of Christmas lights in a nearby park (Isaac insisted that we take advantage of that opportunity twice).  I squeezed in a tiny bit of shopping.   We went to a Jazz basketball game.  We had hoped they would be playing the Blazers while we were in town, but instead the opponent was one of the worst teams in the league.  It was still fun to take Isaac to his first NBA game.  It was fun that Grandpa and Uncle Mike joined us for what was their first NBA experience also.  We wrapped up the trip at our favorite mexican joint in the city where we ate with just our nuclear family and Nana and Grandpa.  That was a really nice way to cap off the trip before heading back home.

Oh, and while there, Caden starting taking his first steps!  His very first ones were right into Nana's arms.  That was pretty special.

And now, the dumping of pictures.  Here come a whole bunch.........enjoy!

Emily bought hats for everyone and managed to get us all outside to take family photos.  Mike and Emily's daughter, Eleanor, was surrounded by her entire extended family!  We did take a picture of the whole, big group, but I don't have a copy.  The above photo of folks lingering before the final shot is the best I have, and it is missing four of us.

 The Andersons

 All three grandchildren donning their new Nana-knitted-wear.  What a talented Nana they have!

 Uncle Stephen playing sweetly with Eleanor

 Uncle Stephen taunting Isaac

 Eleanor with her adoring grandmother, mom, cousin, and aunt

Harry, the baby whisperer

 Cade showing off his lovely new sweater knitted by Nana

Christmas morning

Eleanor's new kitchen was a huge hit with all the kids.

Isaac plowed the patio for us with his new road grader.

Light saber battles were quite entertaining.

cousins

Uncle Mike looks like he's ready for #2