Blame the Jack-Knifed Semi

Snow falls in East Texas now, one week after we got home from our wonderful trip to Colorado.  Snow falls, and wakes up this weary blog and the lack of motivation that I have had to recollect that great trip.  I blame the Semi-Truck that jack-knifed and closed Vail Pass for over six hours, at the very beginning of our 18 hour drive home that ended up taking 23+ hours and my gusto to write.

And as the snow falls outside today and I peruse the pictures of children accessorized in mittens and hats, snowflakes caught in their eyelashes, I must write- because it’s too cute and the memories were too fond to depart from so quickly.

Cousins playing in pajamas late into the day on the day we remembered our Savior’s birth.

Snuggling with Aunt Janice and pulling out mommy’s tutus from her ballerina days.Sharing laughs as we unwrap the old collectables that have gathered dust in mom’s closets. 
It’s funny that she wraps up those sentimental things, her purging becomes our giggles.
This fancy ship was a gift to my brother from some Chinese hockey players that came to play in a tournament against my brother’s team when he was in high school. 
I got a couple fancy drama masks in case you were wondering.

Watching grandpa coach his granddaughter on a new puzzle.My sister-in-law and my precious niece Lenna.

We have a tendency to play a lot of cards when we get together as family- Pinochle, anyone?

And Avery and McClaine schooled my dad and uncle Jim at Go Fish.  

Our wonderful friend, Marjie came over for Christmas.  She is such an awesome lady and has been fighting hard against Cancer for over three years.

She brought lots of laughs, dozens of puppets and an INCREDIBLE Melissa and Doug Puppet Theater.  Thanks Marjie!

And then came Uncle Josh.  Uncle Josh is Margaret’s husband (Margaret had to go back to work in Oregon, so she couldn’t come- boo!), who was on break from school for a couple weeks, so he came to play.  And play he did- for HOURS with the kids.  He also shaved his beard so they would recognize him better.  I have no doubt that the kids knew just who he was even with the beard and he may have later regretted his decision to shave when it got to be 6 below zero.Aren’t you glad he didn’t stick with the handle-bar moustache? 

They built huge forts out of pillows and blankets, and those evolved into “dog cages.”  Josh was the dog catcher and had 4 puppies to chase all over the house.
Then they built a raft out of sticks and branches…

And launched it off into the river in my mom’s backyard.

Then Caleb and Uncle Josh took the big kids up the gondola. 
It’s free for foot passengers after 2pm, and that just happens to be when the little girls and I needed a nap!

Hot Chocolate was definitely in order on this chilly day!The kids had a snowball fight on the top of the mountain- let’s take a moment to examine the “Texas Style” of this snowball fight.
Notice that they all had jeans on, and the boys had cowboy boots on.  Oh yeah, the only thing missing are those “gators” that keep the snow out of yur cowboy boots!

The next day my mom graciously babysat my brood so Caleb and Josh and I could go skiing!  Thanks Aunt Brittny for the awesome hook-up on tickets! Caleb snowboarded, Josh telemarked and I raced down the hill and tried to take pictures.  It felt so great to get back on some skis after five years!
We are going to start saving up for next year, and maybe we can get the kids in some lessons.It is always appropriate to finish the night with a little Conga line and some good eats at Aunt Janice and Jimmy Ray’s house. Here’s a picture of my mom and her six little grandkids

And the family photo…

Are you still there?  Was that the longest post EVER?  I hope you and your family had a great Christmas…  more from me coming up later this week.