Our Christmas Vacation

Its been a while so excuse me if I ramble....
December 24th, Christmas Eve ~ Today is the start of our Christmas vacation. We left on time, amazingly enough, by 11:00am. With all the big snow storms we have been having, I being the paranoid passenger insisted we stop and find chains, I-84 had just opened the day before and was uncertain about the conditions. We did hit a pretty good patch of ice and before the truck slipped off the Highway Mark used his special powers and put it in 4 wheel drive. We arrived safety over the river and through the woods at grandmothers house and took a nice winters nap.

December 25th, Christmas Day ~ This has to be one of the best Christmases for me. Today we woke up about 4:00am and went to the homeless shelter in Albany, Oregon. It amazes that year after year this is what the kids love to do on Christmas Morning. They have learned the true meaning of Christmas and it isn't the presents (although they still think their pretty great) its about what we can give to others who have less than us. To celebrate Christmas serving others as Christ served. As I watched the kids prepare breakfast my heart was filled with Joy. Now that the kids are getting older they all had an items that they served. Grandpa Widing serves the syrup, oranges, candy canes, and milk/juice in the cafeteria where the kids are not allowed. Mark and I worked where needed. Every year we are getting quicker at preparing breakfast and the homeless are always soo thankful to have a hot meal.
Afterwards, Pastor Bailey gave us a tour of the newly finished family housing units. It was nice to see that there is a safe place for people to go if they need to and a much better facility than the broken down building they were in before. I am thankful for all my blessing, which are abundant.

December 26th ~ This morning we went to visit Aunt Lori, Uncle Mike, Aunt Kim & Uncle Aaron. We didn't get to stay too long because we also went to see "Bedtime Stories" with Grandma and Grandpa Widing. After the movie we went out to Sharies for some Hot Cocoa. It was nice to see all of them.

December 27th ~ Spent the morning getting ready for the "Big Ski Trip". Laundry packed and everything sorted for that stop on the way back through town. Mark & MJ went to Uncle Aarons and Aunt Kimmies to help plumb for the new dishwasher and disposal they got for Christmas. the girls and I visited for a short while before we went back up to Portland for the get together with Marks buddies at Ron and Lenas. His friends are doing great and we even got to see Randy this year. Its always fun to reminisce about "the good-old-days".

December 28th ~ Up to the mountain we go. We made great timing. The roads were clear from the warm-up and the rain. We decided to stop by Hoodoo to see what the snow was like. We were shocked to see the parking lot as a big lake. I have to admit we were all pretty worried about our ski trip and thought it might be a wasted time. We headed off to the Condo that we rented. It was sooo nice.

December 29th ~ Woke up to about 8" of snow in Sisters and about 18" of new snow at Hoodoo. We were ready to go. The kids took snowboarding lessons and the teacher find tuned their snowboards that they got for Christmas. We love the Snow!!! Unfortunately it was windy and they closed the lifts at 4:00.

December 30th ~ This was the most perfect day to ski. Hoodoo rated ot a 9. The slopes were groomed, the sky was blue and temperature was great. It was warm enough that a light jacket would have been warm enough. This was our long day on the mountain. I braved a private lesson and took the Manzinita up and took on the Over-easy trail. I thought I was well prepared but my confidence was shattered. I have not been cutting enough on my pizza but keeping it flat (that of course was so I could go faster on the beginner slope). So my teacher said to practice on the cutting and then maybe another lesson the following day. I have to admit I am getting a little bord with the kiddy slope. The kids do great. They go up with Mark and for the harder slopes. By the time night skiing came around the kids were getting a little daring I was getting a little tired and feeling some muscles I havent felt before. FUN!!

December 31st, New Years Eve ~ I didn't want to getup and go too early since we were planning another long day. Unfortunately, we should have. It was a blistery day only rated a 4. I was too sore to ski but was willing to go then Mark thought we should go. He was having a hard time. So if I knew he was having a hard time it must be pretty bad, he'll ski through almost anything.
We headed to the Condo for snacks. I was glad we didn't make it a long day. We were all pooped. Grandma Barkley bought a surprise hats and noise makers. Mark and I insisted we celebrate early (9:00pm) We are such party poopers. MJ, Emily and Grandma stayed up past midnight ~ those party animals!!

January 1st, 2009 ~ Happy New Year!!! ~ Woke up to strong winds so we headed out as quickly as we could. The wind, rain and warmth brought lots of water on the roads But we made it over the river and through the woods to Grandmothers house again. We Loaded quickly and off to go home. Luckily the roads were clear with ice and snow but not with water.

January 2nd ~ Today, took some pictures of the kids by the tree. I can't wait to see how they turned out. We went to see a movie Valkyrie. We all liked it and put a new perspective on the Germans. Not all of them wanted to follow Hitler.

January 3rd & 4th ~ 2 Lazy Days. I took my Christmas tree down and put all the Christmas stuff away till next year. Sunday went to chruch and bore my Testimony for the first time in a very long time. I wanted my kids to know that I do believe in the Savior Jesus Christ and that I was proud of them for giving of their time on Christmas. I look forward to more service this year and hope it will be a good year for all.

January 5th ~ Finished Cleaning house.

January 6th ~ Went back to work, YEAH!! Its only taken me 2 days to get caught up.

I am excited for the new year and look forward to settling into the house, we still have alot of work to do. The landscaping is our main project this year. I have some great ideas.

Hope everyone had a great Holiday Season!!