Snow Day

Our family planned a trip to northern Idaho at the beginning of February to visit my grandmother who was diagnosed with lung cancer. We knew we would be facing some severe snow weather so we went to work getting the snow gear necessary. Unfortunately, my grandmother passed 3 days before our scheduled flight. I was sad that grandma did not get to meet little Sean, but thankful that we visited a few times with our other two children, last summer being the most recent.

We decided that we ought to get some use out of our snow clothing. The first scheduled visit to the snow was taken by Mark and the two older kids while I was out with Sean for a meeting. We were in a rush to get to our various destinations. I put together the kids hats/mittens/snow bibs and Mark got the kids out to the car. Emma was still asleep at the time and he figured she would take her nap on the way.

I told Mark he could probably find a small spot on the way to Big Bear but he was having no luck finding a suitable spot. He only became more frustrated, after arriving in Big Bear and finding a spot, when he realized that Emma's snow boots were not brought with them (Ira was wearing his snow boots already). In fact, she had no shoes on at all. He did not want to turn back around after an hour long drive and a patient son only a couple steps from snow. Then he remembered that he had packed his snow boots and was wearing hiking boots. So Emma made do with daddy's hiking boots. She couldn't walk, but her feet were kept warm!

A couple weeks later, after another snow storm went through Big Bear, we planned another trip up to the snow. This time the whole family went--even my mother (who volunteered to sit in the car to watch Sean) and my in-laws. This time we were much better prepared and the kids enjoyed themselves. My in-laws built "towers" of snow for Ira to aim at as he sled down the soft slope. He even hit at least one before the day was over!

Christmas Visits

One of the joys, for me, during Christmas is the opportunity to visit with family and friends. At the beginning of December my sister-in-law and her family came up to visit and enjoy the town's Christmas activities. Mark and the kids rode the "train". Then the kids climbed through a train bounce house, ran through some "snow flurries" and pet a few barn animals in the petting zoo area (Ira was particularly fond of the chicken).

Train Ride

The weekend before Christmas my cousin came up from Orange County to visit. It was great seeing her--I last saw her when Emma was a baby. Ira made fast friends and enjoyed rocking out to the music video for Ghostbusters with her! My sister and her husband also made the trip up and Ira got to open a couple early Christmas gifts. Emma missed the opening of gifts because she was taking a much needed nap.

Presents!

Just after Christmas my high school friends and I had our usual holiday gathering. This year we met at a friends place in LA. I will not go into details of our trip down. Suffice to say, after over 4 hours traveling and numerous pit stops we made it. I didn't do too well taking pictures, but Ira took a few at dinner. The kids loved the walk to the Chinese restaurant--that is something I miss no longer living in a city. I loved the strolls I would take with Ira when he was a baby.