Purple Belt

 Congratulations to Maren for earning her Purple Belt!  She worked hard to get this one - putting in extra practice and working hard at home to remember her kicking combinations.

 

Free Rent

We have had some squatters camping out in our neighborhood for the past month - sleeping in our snow piles and eating our bushes and trees.  They don't seem a bit disturbed by our presence.  They also don't seem a bit grateful for the free room and board. However, it does provide some entertainment for us.

Martin

We had a real treat when Martin visited from New Jersey and brought his family and friends to ski in Sandpoint last week.  They stayed in the farmhouse and let us join their ski vacation. 

Martin came from Germany to live with us for his senior year in High School.  I was in grade school at the time and have fond memories of his stay.  It was wonderful to get reacquainted and meet his family. 

 

 

The girls were well matched ski partners with Will, Cooper and Colby.  They had fun skiing and showing them the mountain.

 

We didn't see much of our normal February powder, but there were plenty of beautiful blue skies.  The boys got to ski their first real double black diamond.

Plus, they had fun goofing off by the lodge and in the snow piles while waiting for adults. 

Great to be 8

 

Maren turned 8 in January.  What a great age.  She is excited, energetic, fun and eager.  Yesterday she was baptized.  She was surrounded by family and good friends.  It was a great day.

 

Skiing

 

We had a great day skiing.  Verna, Roman and Elijah came up to try snowboarding.

 

Hannah and Paige showed me the giant cedar tree on the back side.

 

A little sunshine, a little snow and a lot of fun skiing.

Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas to everyone!  We spent a beautiful Christmas Eve skiing new powder under blue skies.  Perfect!  Santa was even there enjoying a few runs with Mrs. Claus.  He knows where it's at.

 

 

Band Concert

We attended Hannah's 7th Grade band performance last week.  There is a big jump in quality and listening enjoyment between 5th & 6th Grade and 7th Grade.  I'm amazed at how well the kids performed.  Hannah stuck with percussion this year and had several great parts in the program - including playing the snare drum, tamborine, xylaphone and temple blocks.