You know those snow globes you shake up and the tiny snow falls on the tiny evergreen trees inside? It doesn’t do justice to the majesty that is a giant mountain. The mountains are hard to take in when you’re in the heart of them. Awesome, breathtaking, spectacular are a few adjectives that come to mind.

But when I’m not standing around with my mouth agape at the mountains, I have this view of Fletch learning to ski. We went out today for our first lesson. We never made it to an actual slope though. We stayed on the training slope until we got tired enough to leave. Can’t wait for the kids to be old enough to go! They will have so much fun. What a great family activity.

http://www.shutterfly.com/flashapps/flashslideshow/Slideshow.swf

Click here to view these pictures larger

Today Elliot broke a necklace of mine, Trav used my makeup to draw on the wall, Elliot cut a hole in his sweater to make a pocket, Trav removed the Enter key from my keyboard, and you already know about Trav using a sharpie to draw on the couch. They sure know how to experiment!

Here’s Elliot with his new pocket. I mean, I was sitting four inches from the boy when he did this! We were using scissors to cut material at the children’s museum. While I was making a snake for Trav to cut, Elliot was playing Tailor.

I couldn’t find a photo of Trav being naughty so here he is reading Agatha Christie.

Last year we lived in Chicago during the third worst blizzard in Chicago history. This year we’re in Seattle for the most snow they’ve had since 1985. Next year perhaps an avalanche will drop directly on our heads.

No matter how much snow, this guy found a way to get dirty. Poor thing! He has on so many layers that he can’t put his arms all the way down!

Here’s Elliot getting ready to… Ride his bike?

He’s a true northwesterner! These people ride in any weather. And apparently so does Elliot.

We had snow this morning! Just a light dusting and not enough for a snowball. But we threw coats and boots over our pajamas and ran out there to enjoy it while we could. Elliot even caught some snowflakes on his tongue, and Travis found the sprayer on the end of the water hose to be a perfect microphone.

http://www.shutterfly.com/flashapps/flashslideshow/Slideshow.swf

Click here to view these pictures larger

We couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful holiday with our families. Thank you to everyone who fed us, catered to our needs, and let us demolish your houses. Thank you for the laughs and stories and memories and food. We are looking forward to opening all our Christmas presents AGAIN when they come in the mail. And we’re looking forward to all of you coming to visit us this year!
Here we are Christmas Eve:

 And Christmas day:

We love you!