Skiing

The kids have been asking to go skiing for years! Chris has never been on skis before and I also haven't spent much time on skis, so we knew we would have to do a lesson. We decided this was the year to try it. Most lessons were for ages 8-12, so since all the kids fit into that window, we decided to go for it. We went for a day trip to Bryce Mountain. 

It was a loooong drive up:

We started out slow with a lesson on one ski:

And then hit the bunny slope/carpet lift:

After the lesson we took a quick lunch break.

Everyone was feeling optimistic on the bunny slopes:

Because of that we decided to hit the chair lift to the green circles. Honestly, the first time down was a complete disaster. Everyone fell off the lift, then fell on the narrow path to get to the green blocking the slope for everyone, and then fell at least once more (and Ben more than once more). There were tears. I felt regret. 

Then at the bottom of the slope a miracle happened and everyone wanted to go again!

Ben didn't fall a single time on his second run on the real slope. There was even an incident where Ben didn't make the lift in time and they didn't stop it. A very nice lady skiied up and hopped on the lift with him to my great relief. We had many dropped poles, disconnected skis, tears, and successes. 

There were no major injuries. Ben sadly ended on a bad note, but since everyone wants to go again I would call it a huge success!

First time skiing for all, hopefully with many more trips in the future:

Sleighbell 5K, ornament exchange, work party, and decorating the tree

Jane ran the Sleighbell 5K with Chris the other weekend! She didn't set a PR but came in right over 30 minutes, which was still a great time.

Then we got to go to Chris' work party at Precarious downtown. They gave all the kids quarters to play arcade games.

Chris organized a kid ornament exchange during my annual ornament exchange and they loved it!

And (obviously way earlier in the month), we decorated for Christmas!

It's been a lovely season, one of my favorites!

W&M Football

We had the opportunity to go to a W&M football game toward the end of their season with Chris' work. It was fun as we don't often get to many anymore given the kids are all in activities on the weekends. We got to sit in the endzone, have a taco bar, and then were offered treats on treats on treats.

Made to order churros...

...kettle corn, ice cream, cake pops, candied apples, cookies, etc. 

It was a good time and a beautiful day to spend outside watching a football game.

Turkey Bowl

This year we all continued the Turkey Bowl tradition and kicked field goals. As always, not everyone got it over, but three of my kids did this year, which was impressive! I think Ben and Jane hit from 10 and Eleanor from 15. I got one over from 10 and Chris from 35.

Cousins:

Sisters:

Siblings:

Individuals:

Group! It was a great time kicking field goals.

A few of the kicks: 

Happy Turkey Bowl 2025! I'm not sure how many years it's been, but it's a tradition unlike any other.