Thursday, January 3, 2013

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!

And, boy, was it a white one!!  Snow, snow, everywhere--not fantastic for our drive to Yreka, but absolutely WONDERFUL for everything else.  We have a ton in Sisters (and not likely to go anywhere soon, with highs in the teens!) and there was even snow in usually dry Yreka.  Mt. Shasta got feet and feet of snow just in time for arrival, which meant we got to go skate skiing and even took the kids for their first cross country outing.  Best of all, though, was seeing ALL of Ryan's family.  What a big, fun, happy bunch.  Kate and Will (but especially Kate!) were in heaven, getting attention of love from aunts, uncles, cousins and,  of course, grandma and grandpas.  At the big Christmas party, Kate got in on the guys' traditional poker game (by "helping" Ryan) and has now developed a new obsession.  She is showing all the signs of a compulsive gambler ("I'm sure I'll win the next one!") and now refuses to call a "two" anything but a "deuce."  While being an artist is still on her list of what she wants to be when she grows up, she has now added cross country skier and poker player.  We'll see!  Will discovered the joys of grandpa's shop, spending many hours "doing work" which was mainly sorting screws, nuts and bolts.  He joined all the men who gathered in the shop (by grandpa's fire) on Christmas--while they drank beer, he did some sort of "work," coming inside covered in grease!  It was definitely our most fun Christmas yet with the kids, since they're old enough now to be excited about in and in awe of Santa--watching their joy is the best present we could get!
Spreading food for Santa's reindeer!

Santa came!
Kate on her cross country skis--she claims to like it more than downhill.


Just because it's winter doesn't mean Grandpa gets a break from giving the kids tractor rides!!




2 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a perfect Christmas! That's one to remember and cherish. Grandma Connie

Anonymous said...

Wow that looks like fun! I want a tractor ride! Love Big Kate x