Aaron and cousin Mason went snowboarding today, had a load of fun!!!

Here are a couple of pictures of them taking by auntie Missy, bless her heart she went there with the two boys.  This was the first time for both of them at an actual skiing hill, and they went to beginner lessons.  Aaron said that it was very helpful, and by the end of the day they were going off some jumps!!

2 Feet of Brand New Snow

When I was at Maggie was at her friend Jackie's house for a sleepover. That was going to be one night but, ended up being two nights because of the snow. On Friday we got about one foot then Saturday we got another foot of snow. Then the next day (Sunday) Tori picked Maggie up and went to get a Christmas tree. When they finally got home Alison and Tori bake so many good and beautiful cookies!!!

Cherishing Memories

As many of you know our Alison has started her journey beyond our nest.  We are all very proud of her choices, and are excited as she works towards accomplishing her goals and aspirations.  

For those of you who don't know Alison signed on December 2 to join the U.S. Navy, and is expecting to leave on July 11 2011.  Her contract is for aviation electronics technician, where she hopes to be connected with a squadron that tours the world.  Weather on land or sea she hopes to see more of the world, and enjoy the opportunities as a sailor.  Alison is also training to become a candidate for the aviation rescue swimmer program, and join the special operations devision called SARS(Search and Rescue swimmer.)  This is an exceptionally difficult program to get into, and even harder to pass.  She has a membership to the YMCA in town, and is going to train there for these goals.  Also she is a very busy senior, and as busy as ever.  She has ran cross-country for four straight years on varsity, is in the middle of basketball season, 2nd. year on varsity.  She has also joined the robotics team this year, which is a new adventure for her.  Between all of her current commitments she will have monthly Navy meetings, and tests for the SARS program.  So we will not see her EVER!!!  

Tori and I are sharing many fears, thoughts, and tears over the latest changes in our life, but stand together in our pride for her.  Yet this Christmas has been difficult to think about, in the sense it maybe the last of its kind for us.  Many tears have been shed this weekend, as we celebrated with Tori's family on Saturday, and with just us today.  Hopefully it will get easier when the holidays are over, but for know I am thinking of many of my favorite Ali moments.  And sharing some photos from the weekend.

This is Ali and Jeremiah(her recruiter), at her final Christmas choir concert.  Jeremiah and his family came to enjoy the message of Christmas presented by the Immanuel concert band, flute band, and mass choir.

Nana and Papa's on Saturday night with their cousins, we had a wonderful time as always.

Alison this morning opening her new scapebook, which she hopes to fill with many new memories.

Alison just looking cute in her PJs she is so cute!!!

Winter Wonderland

We have broken a record for snow fall in our town, the previous record was 14", set in March of 1965 .  This weekend's storm dumped 18" of new snow over much of the Chippewa Valley.  We spend most of Saturday inside, and did some baking.  Tori and Ali made some mint chocolate chip cookies, best I have ever had.  Our neighbors Jim and Jill had us over for pie and drinks after dinner, it was nice to visit with them, our busy schedules don't allow for us to get together much during the school year.  Maggie was snowed in at a friends house, Aaron and two of his friends were snowed in here.  They played games and stayed up late.  Ali baked and is working on the art projects due this week, also studying for finals.  Tori has been working on our Christmas cards, and hopefully they will be going out this week.  She has made them all this year, and they're fantastic.

Shelby is resting up for another trip out in the snow!  She was a winter puppy, and seems to really enjoy the snow, but the hat is not her favorite.

Deep Snow

Aaron and his friends are building an igloo.

This table had no snow on it Friday, and now close to twenty inches.

SNOW!!

It has finally snowed enough to cover the grass, and that is the measurement of my children, with the most meaning.  There is about 5 inches of new snow that fell last night, and this morning.  The kids are excited for many reasons; skiing, snowboarding, snowmen, snowball fights, white Christmas, X-country skiing, and driving in the Audi(rarely  in a straight line.)  Aaron wants to blow all the snow from the yard into the back, so he can build a half-pipe for snowboarding. lol  It is great fun to get the first big snowfall, but ask me how I like it in April?  Well I am going to go and snow-blow the driveway now!