Last trip of 2012

After Christmas we took off for some fun in the sun and on the ski trails in WA, and a great visit with Uncle Adam, Payten and Ben.

Every car ride was a party!

 Payen and Kieran had fun skiing together

What fun to ski on fast snow!



Payten and Uncle Max having fun at the trail head.



Skiing across the suspension bridge. Gorgeous!



Looking good boys!

 

 

Trying out the zipline back at the house. We'll need to install one of these at home!



 Outdoor cousins.



20 degrees feels warm after a month at -30.

Piled high sledders.

Thanks Adam, Payten and Ben so much for hosting us and for a super fun visit! We can't wait to come back.


Then it was time to fly east for more family visiting...and more fun. First stop was the farm.
 

It was the first winter visit for Max and Kieran. Not a whole lot happening in the fields this time of year.
 

But it's still lots of fun to explore.

 Checking out the brook. No ice bridge here.

And checking out the new walk-in. Perfect size for a Kieran shower! Thanks Grandpa and Grandma Lee for a nice, quiet visit. You both managed to avoid the camera!

 Next stop, Bushka's house, where we were pampered and doted on and generally spoiled rotten.

There was some bird feeder maintenance.

And climbing.

And for Max and Kieran, a winter trip to Westport.

Ocean air + beach combing = happiness.

There's no place like Westport, even in winter.

 

We spent one afternoon walking around (and on) Walden Pond.

Carrying big sticks.

And skipping stones across the ice. 

Lots of walking but we made it all the way around.

And warmed up by the stove in Thoreau's recreated little cabin.

 

Then fed some goats at the egg farm on the way home.

Lemon bars and birthday candles, thanks to Grandma.

Silly cousins...wish we could do this more often!

 

Thanks to everyone for all the walks and talks and togetherness.

 



I love this picture.

 

What we had originally planned as a vacation and post-holiday family visit became much more than that. The unexpected coming together of far flung family and friends made this a trip we will remember always. It was a quiet and peaceful time to be together, to see family and friends we don't see often enough, and say goodbye to beloved family members we will miss dearly.

 

 

Halloween to Christmas 2012

 More pictures from the last quarter of 2012.

 

Give us candy you will.

 



Kieran "working" while Rufus holds the laptop up.

Such patience. 

Rope assisted climbing at home.

First ski race bib!

First ski race start line.

 



And first finish! Kieran did great in his first race. He was calm, cool and collected, stayed focused on his technique and passed all but one of the kids in his race. 

Proud post-race smiles!

Who's been walking through my yard?

 



It was a cold day for the annual neighborhood snowshoe race.

Kieran was an enthusiastic greeter and cheerleader though.

 



Off they go up the driveway!

 



Moving on to Christmas. Kieran decorated the banister garland with wild turkey feathers from Bushka's personal collection.

 

We did another trip to the bottom of our property to find a tree. Kieran was a trooper this year at -35F he still wanted to do the cutting.

 



With a little help.

 



 



The Millenium Falcon all decked out for the holidays.

It's official...we have enough Star Wars stuff in the house. Thank you Santa :-)

But wait, there's more (thanks Rach!).

 



And more...thanks to Rachel's mom Kieran doesn't even have to say goodbye to Star Wars at bedtime! Thanks so much Jane!

 



Merry Star Wars Christmas.

With the temperatures back on the plus side of zero we enjoyed a mid day snowshoe walk in the fresh snow.

 

We hope you all had a warm and happy Christmas.