The Day You Started Skiing

Exciting day yesterday. Daddy took you skiing for the first time. I was nervous (please reference video). I absolutely under no circumstances wanted you to go on the lift. We meet the instructor for a private lesson with you and Daddy. The purpose of the lesson was to teach Daddy how to teach you. Fair enough. No sooner had the instructor put his "magic coins" in your boots that he leads you and Daddy right onto the lift! Ahhhckkk! What was he doing?!?!? My ONE rule: Do not go on the lift. It was obliterated within the first 60 seconds of the lesson. Granted, the three of you were probably one of four groups on the lift that morning. There was virtually no one there and basically had the mountain to yourself (again, reference the video). You survived. Fell a few times, but overall you were incredible and so very adorable in your helmet and goggle combo. We took a break after the first hour and had a snack and played in the snow. Daddy took Mary skiing for the first time and then did a couple black diamond trails to satisfy his urge to really ski and not just "snow plow" down the mountain. You were coaxed back onto your skis with promises of a magic carpet, which is just a moving walkway you stand on to take you up about 1/4 of the way up the bunny hill. I think you had grand ideas of Aladdin and a Jasmine-esk Whole New World magic carpet ride, but you loved it nonetheless. And you were amazing. I am so proud and this post is nothing but you remind you of how awesome you are. You were courageous and persevered to learn something new and sort of scary. Way to go Nora! I will always be here to be your cheerleader and offer a snack and time to play. 

Time to play in the snow!

OMG he is taking her directly onto the lift after being on skis for literally only a few seconds. 

Magic Carpet! 

Riding the magic carpet with Daddy. 

Ski Bunny!

Lesson in progress. 

Skiing by herself. 

She was amazing!

Skiing with Daddy!

Totally comfortable out there. 

The trio of skiers!

And without further ado, the video of the first time you come roaring down the mountain and almost give me a heart attack.

Teddy's Weekend House and Other January Adventures

Teddy has a weekend house. A special place where we can gather as a family and live a simple live. Share meals, celebrate, catch up, cook, relax, play, take long walks, shop for toys, and generally just be together. How blessed we are that Teddy and his parents share his weekend house with us. I am looking forward to the pool opening this summer. I think Daddy is looking forward to the good old fashioned crabbing on the bay. Did I mention Teddy's weekend house is located on the Chesapeake Bay on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Lucky him. Lucky us. 

Making homemade ice cream.

Related, maybe?

Love. 

Weeeeee!

Swinging!

This was so much fun!

It was a little too quiet. Found all three of them watching Barney on the i-Pad.
Lucy is really relaxing!

Lu!

Happy Birthday Daddy! 

Sisters. One of us isn't actually there. 

Daddy and Stan and Nora in the backyard on the bay.

Always and forever my first born. 

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Twins!

I bet you can't tell whose who!

Total Lucy meltdown face. Love it. 

Maybe I over documented, but this was a spider Nora drew by herself, on her own with no help. I didn't even know she was doing it... and it looks like a spider! And I didn't take a picture of the teapot she drew that looks like a teapot. For some reason, this new talent of realistic drawing makes me realize how fast she is growing. 

Lucy is too cool to sit on her scooter anymore. It's all one legged pushing for this girl.  Wait until you see the  picture I just took of her throwing up gang signs. Crazy kid. 

Hopefully with a four day weekend, I can update again very soon. Oh! Happy Valentine's Day!!! I love you both. I don't believe in  celebrating Valentine's Day for adults, but we stuffed your valentines last night and you wrote your name (and Lucy's) like a champ. Cupcakes and chocolate covered strawberries topped off our night with our neighbors.

It's 2013, oh my!

Here we are in a new year. December behind us and is quite a blur. I never updated about Thanksgiving or Christmas or any holiday festivities. January is almost over.

Christmas time came, it was wonderful/ hectic / sickly / refreshing / appreciated time.

We traveled to Homer Alaska to visit Aunt Janice and Uncle Ed and Marta and Troy and Reidun. The flights out there were long and I got sick on the plane. Lucy had an anxiety attack on the plane and Nora screamed at the slightest request. We left DC at 7am and got into Homer, 11pm East Coast time, taking three separate planes. After that traveling fiasco, we drugged both girls coming home on New Years Day and I drugged myself too. I am not proud of this but it was the best $9 I ever spent. The flights home were long and tiring but we made it and I will not be stepping on an airplane again for a long long time.

I'm not very eloquent and I certainly can't explain what it meant to us that we got to spend time with our Alaskan family. Because of all the gifts we gave and received this past holiday season, none was more precious nor more appreciated than time. It's the most valuable possession we have.

Here in a few pictures is a snapshot of our trip.

Meeting Maggie and Ed.

Lucy falling in love. She gave this horse a carrot as often as we would let her.

Learning to be Alaskan.

Playing in the snow!

Snow blowing the driveway.

Catching a ride. 

Feeding Maggie a carrot  take 63

Snow Cave!!!

Swedish Candle fun.

Watching the fire.

Still my baby. 

Enjoying the fire. 

Todd Family

Playing with my purse.

Maggie... again. Seriously, this kid couldn't get enough.

Candy Land with the twins!!

Nora and I sick and napping. Wasting daylight. 

iPad sharing. 

Sleigh riding with Troy

Grandma's Wedding Dress. 

Karu! Interestingly, he is the same age as Lucy.

Winter Spit

That snow cave was HUGE! It fit Nora, Lucy, Troy and the twins! 

Happy New Year in Anchorage... in Reidun's guest bed!

Mommy and baby moose eating in the front yard.

Waving on the way to town!

She got pretty comfortable in the snow!

Road behind the house. 

Goodbye Marta... we love you!

There is so much more I want to say but the words aren't there.  Only gratitude and love. Goodnight.