Very Merry

It's hard to believe that we have had snow on the ground for more than 2 weeks now! Maybe the best part of the snow, for me, is how it feels like a soft, graceful blanket that forces everyone to slow down. Quite an accomplishment, even for a force of nature, during the holidays! We have been enjoying some sledding, especially Kyle who blazes down the hill in a flash but then enjoys being pulled back up. Over the past few weeks it has become increasingly more difficult for Kyle to walk on his own and when you add a little ice and snow to the mix, a ride in a sled is a welcome event. 

Even with is new challenges, Kyle has talked endlessly about going skiing at Mt. Baker. A few weeks ago I received a call inviting us for a day of skiing, or at least a couple of runs, even though the mountain hadn't had enough snow to open. We planned a day to head up with Gil, Kim, and Campbell Lund, but of course the snow started to fall about 36 hours before our outing. We were determined to go anyway, but when we woke up on that Monday morning it was a balmy 4 degrees on the hill...and that was before wind chill! So we scrapped our plans and hoped we could find another opportunity for the adventure. We woke up on December 23rd and decided that was the day.... The video below tells the rest:

Kylie At Mt Baker 12/23/2008 from Gil Lund on Vimeo.

The boys traveled to Seattle with their dad and Cara on the 24th to celebrate with Cara's family. The highlight from Santa was a new hamster, Freddie, a 7 week old, orange and white furry friend. I picked up the boys on Christmas morning and we went to my parent's house. Kyle was excited to find a rock polisher under the tree and Nicolas was spoiled by his grammie and grampie with his very own iPod. Christmas night my extended family came for dinner at my parents (the boys call it the "big Christmas party"). Everyone made their way despite the bad roads and threat of more snow. It was a wonderful night.

We were greeted by crates and boxes of mail when we returned home. Red Robin corporation has sent us cards from restaurants across the country, we have received cards from Texas, Arkansas, Deleware, Germany, Hong Kong, Canada; from classes of school children in California, Arizona, and all over Washington; from Mayors and Senators, from grandparents of people we know and people we have never met. The cards are filled with good wishes and prayers and some funny jokes, too! Thank you to everyone who took the time to drop a card in the mail to Nicolas and Kyle. We feel surrounded by love and support and are thankful for the kindness. 

We hope you enjoy the last days of 2008. It has been a year full of exciting adventures as well as new struggles. We are grateful for each moment we share and each memory we make. Each day is a gift, each smile and laugh is a joy, each morning kiss is a cause for hope.