Winter wonderland?

So some time in March, the kids were talking about winter and mentioned how we had about one week of winter.  Which is so completely accurate it is scary.  The week between Christmas and New Years was about the only week of winter we got around here this year.  And is was frigid.  We had these fabulous guests (below) come visit.  We still managed to get up for some skiing, but we left the kids behind this day as the temps were in in the single digits.  Dave and I both tried our new skate skiing equipment for the first time, the snow was slow and perfect for beginners.  It was beautiful as fresh snow had just fallen and we enjoyed some adult skiing.

Besides another ski/sled day, with the kids the next time, we enjoyed time playing games, watching star wars, and of course ice cream at Enstroms.

Amanda went to her first dance, which happened to be the New Years Dance.  Madison and Megan curled her hair for her before she left.  It was a formal dance and she looked beautiful. 

In January Spencer, Jacob, and Maren all participated in cross country ski lessons.  They did fantastic and are all getting really good and able to cover some miles.  All three of them medaled in the races at the end.   Spencer raced in Jacobs age group accidentally, and so had to race his age group right after.  He still took first, that kid has stamina.  Jacob still insists he came in second, even though Spencer was the only one ahead of him in his age group.

Maren's group learned how to skate ski this year, and it was hard.  She didn't love it, but gave it her all.  She perfected the end of the race, fall down from complete exhaustion after going across the finish line. 

I took a skate ski class as well, but didn't manage any pictures, except this awesome sunburn I came home with when I forgot my sunscreen.  The class was fabulous, and by the end I felt like I was starting to get the hang of it...but just starting.

Meanwhile in the Valley we enjoyed balmy temps, midwinter bike rides, and of course that meant campfires in the middle of winter.  Which we decided are the best type, as it is still dark at 6pm.

And despite the lack of snow in the valley there was obviously some to be found in the mountains.  

We also did down hill lessons at the local ski resort.  Maren decided she wanted to learn how to snowboard, and after a few days lessons she is getting the hang of it.  She tells me it is a lot like her ripstick.  I think that is a good reason for me to stay far away from snowboarding=)  

 The boys both learned how to ski.  They did fabulous, both are confident on the bunny lift and hill, and they loved to show me how they can jump.

Dave and I enjoyed a couple days alone on the lifts while the kids did lessons.  It was a lot of fun, as I am finally getting more confident on down hill ski's, even tried my first black diamond run.  And had to laugh at the 6 year old that passed me on the way down.  Nothing like going to a ski resort with a bunch of kids to humble you.

And a freak snowstorm in the valley to upset our balmy February temperatures.  Just to prove it really was winter...at least a little.

This cute snow dog was short lived though, and didn't even make it through the day for the rest of the kids to see, sadly.  Good thing we have a camera to capture it on.