Tahoe ski weekend

Last month (2/20-2/23) we went to Tahoe with Kaira's family and stayed in their cabin. There wasn't much snow but it was warm and sunny. We had a great time and it was fun to get the girls up on skis. Friday we took the girls sledding at Granlibakken. There was one hill for sledding and one for skiing. The girls did great going on their own down the hill. We went back the next day after renting skis in town for the kids and tried out the ski hill. Again, such nice winter weather and it made standing on the hill all afternoon helping Josie pretty enjoyable.

Josie trying on her ski clothes that were borrowed from Tia's kids.

Granlibakken ski resort

 A bunch of sledding videos.

 

 Learning to ski videos

 

More learning to ski videos 



 
Stripped down out of ski clothes to long underwear and cozy fleece.

After a long day on the slope the girls are relaxing in the tub. Ashlyn wanted in on the fun.

Hike through the woods to peak at the Hut

On the way home from Tahoe we stopped at the Hut. We parked on the street and hiked in. Of course the road inside wasn't plowed. It was fun to hike in. 

Can you see the hut yet?

 

 Now I see it.

 Checking out the inside.

 View from the 2nd floor.

4 years 1 month

 Now begins the count down to 5. Made it through the first month with a 4 year old. She does seem older in some ways. She can make her own breakfast by getting out a frozen waffle and putting it in the toaster. She can crack an egg and make a fried egg with assistance. She can do some chopping with her new kid knives. She always wants to help stir or pour or make something new. Speaking of new she did try skiing for the first time but that's a different post. She's into playing her harmonica and decided she wants to learn to play the cello but first she'll learn the violin. She loves her Theatre class (thanks Gram and Papa). She would reenact the story of Frozen every day if someone would do it with her and constantly sings the songs. It's really fun to watch her in this stage.

Hanging out with the Dave & Tia's family. They came to our house for dinner one night and then the next night Josie and I went to their house. Josie loves playing with them. It's so different for her to be with a family that has 4 kids. She loves all the commotion and attention.

 Josie & Daddy made a teepee.

Teepee video

Valentine's party at Kaira's. Josie picked out her own outfit.

 Rebecca and Brett were in town so went with them and Uncle Bill to Harry's Hofbrau for dinner.

 Aunt Gaylynne's memorial service at Menlo Park Presbyterian.

 Rose ceremony for the grandnieces and nephew. They all walked up to the front to place a rose in the vase. Very sweet. There was an extra one for grandniece Allison and granddaughter Sophia.

 Josie loves cousin Paige.

 Video of the girls running. 

 Silly girls...

 At the reception and climbing a tree in her church clothes.

 There was a dinner at Uncle Bill's for family and friends.

Josie got a cookbook for her birthday and was wanting to make her own salad person. We didn't have any of the right ingredients so she got creative. 

Josie received some kitchen utensils for her birthday and has enjoyed making eggs a couple times and loves baking with daddy.

Video of Freeze Dance in her Theater class.

Additional Birthday Celebrations

In January we went to Gaya and Lorraine's for our annual birthday celebration. Gaya turned 15 in Jan. As usual they made us a lovely lunch and it was fun to get caught up with their lives.

 Papa Andy and Grandma Kay were in the area a week before Josie's birthday so they came over for dinner (with Aunt Jody too) and had a mini celebration.

 

 Josie and I drove down to SB on a Thursday afternoon the week after her birthday and arrived in time to watch Karen's 2nd grade class perform a Winnie the Pooh play that evening. It was super cute and very impressive, the sets and all. Josie loves visiting Karen & Katie's school.

 We were there to celebrate Luke's 50th birthday. There was a brunch party at the beach on Saturday. The morning started out sunny and then the clouds rolled in at 9am and it was a little chilly. At least it didn't rain! A bunch of their friends came and it was a fun morning.

Our Canadian friends, Glenda and Diane were visiting from Edmonton. Their mom was my mom's first Sunday school teacher in her little farm town in Alberta when she was a little girl. Her teacher went on to get married and their family spend 10 years in the Congo as medical missionaries. Then they moved to Chicago down the street from us. Their dad was my mom's doctor and delivered me. Glenda and Diane used to babysit Roger, Karen, & me. They all moved to Canada and my parents visit them in Edmonton and have been there for the film festival. Glenda and Diane finally came to SB for the film festival which happened to be this weekend. Fun to reunite after many years.

 Josie brought her birthday scooter along.