Calista and Craig go skiing!

Traditionally, my kids' school has done 2 ski trips every year, for the older kids. Because of covid (always...) Calista has only gone one year, even though she's in grade 6, and Craig hasn't gone at all. 

But this year, we are finally getting back to normal. Which means two days at the ski hill!

The first was in January. In Edmonton, we never quite know what weather we are going to get, but it was a beautiful day to go skiing. 

I got to go to the local ski hill, too, helping kiddos get on their boots and get up when they fell. None of the kids, except Calista's grade, had been able to go before, so it was a bit chaotic. 

I was so proud of Craig and Calista: they worked hard and kept trying, even when they fell or got frustrated. 

Craig did so well. 

I half expected him to refuse to go back out after his lesson/lunch, but he went down the hill again and again.

And Calista did great, too, but I was less worried about her.

They both loooooved it.

The second day on the ski hill was 2 months or so after the first. It was fun to see how much all of the children improved in just 2 sessions.

And, since the kids were all more experienced, I decided to try being in skis for the first time. Ever. In my whole life. 

I managed to stay upright and move around a bit. 

After a while I made the choice to quit while I was ahead, turned in my skis, and go back to paying attention to the hill full of children. 

Craig  went down the littlest hill over and over. 

He could have gone on the next biggest but he didn't want to and that's okay. 

He was getting his money's worth on the little hill.

Calista practiced turning and met her instructor's requirements to try out a real run.

The look of a girl who went on the chair lift and down the green run.

Mostly successfully.

I am so grateful that field trips are back on to provide this experience to my kids and so many others. I am also very grateful that I have the flexibility to go with my kiddos! I know that if I worked, we would have more money and be able to afford more and better things, but I also know that we are very blessed to be able to afford life without me working. And I love being available for my children. 

Girls at the Temple

Calista has joined Young Women's and was able to go to the temple for the first time.

It was a chilly evening, but we still took a few photos outside before we headed inside.

Calista's words: 

"I went with Mom and Dad and my friends Olivia, Bethy, and Charlotte. It was the most wonderful experience I've ever had. Even in the waiting room, I could already feel the Spirit and it was just so peaceful. 

"Doing the baptisms made me feel very happy. I felt like the people I was doing baptism for were looking down on me, happy. The Spirit was also telling me that I was doing the right thing. It was so fun going to the temple with my friends. I can't wait to go back again!"

We can't wait to take her again, either!

Beach Birthday Bingo

For our birthdays, my mom wanted us to take a weekend beach trip together, like we used to. 

So, my parents booked my plane ticket and a little house to stay, 

and with everything ready I headed to Oregon to meet them and my sister! (Thanks again to Kyler who was a single dad for the long weekend!)

The morning of my 37th birthday (Thursday), we headed to meet Loradona on the coast. 

And stopped to eat clam chowder in a bread bowl, obviously. We then got settled in to the Red Door Cottage in Seal Rock. Loradona and I can't resist the beach, so when we had a little downtime, we walked down to check it out.

We had never been to Seal Rock, so it was fun to explore somewhere new. 

We encountered washed up sea stars, 

(we tried to put them back in the water, although I truly think they were dead.)

rocks, 

and even seals! At Seal Rock!

I think our afternoon walk was probably my favorite part of my birthday, although dinner at an Irish pub (I had fish 'n' chips, of course! And some amazing chocolate bread pudding)

was pretty good, too.

Friday started out beautiful, but we knew the weather was scheduled to change later. So we took advantage of the beautiful morning while we could. 

We headed to Ona Beach at Brian Booth State Park, 

where Loradona and I tried hunting for agates. We weren't terribly successful, but that's okay.

There were some really cool rock formations that we joked were the spine of a prehistoric megafauna.

The weather forecast did indeed bring rain, as predicted, but that means it's a great time visit Thor's Well and Spouting Horn, as well as Devil's Churn. 

The beach is still lovely, even in the rain. 

One just has to be prepared for the weather! 

Our stop at Cape Perpetua (highest viewpoint accessible by car on the Oregon Coast), was great because of the visitor's center. The view itself? Kind of dismal. Oh well!

By Saturday morning (Mom's birthday!) 

the rain had all passed and we were back to beautiful blue skies!

We started the day at Seal Rock, 

in our matching boots!

The waves were still pretty strong, so there weren't any seals sunning themselves. Plenty of them in the water, though, and birds to watch as well!

Next we headed to Driftwood Beach, 

and then back to check out the little shops in Seal Rock. 

We had a lot of fun, and supported to local economy a bit, too.

Soup, souvenirs for the kiddos (and me), fudge, glass works, and Mom got another birthday present:

Sir Bartholomew of Paddingtonhamshireby.

Happy beach birthday, Mom! 

Thanks for inviting us all along!

Sunday we headed to church and then went driving down Highway101, stopping at beaches along the way, including Governor Patterson and Yachats State Recreation Area. 

We also headed back to Cape Perpetua to see it without rain. 

Not too shabby, eh?

PS, I love Dad. He's driving down Highway 101, and asks if we want to stop at the upcoming beach access. But before we even answer, he's already turning in to the parking lot.  Because of course we want to stop at a wayside and check it out. So to Smelt Sands we go. And it was great!

Sloooooow motion waves!

Monday morning, I did one last trip to Seal Rock. 

Because if I'm at the coast, I have to go down to the beach every day!

It was a perfect few days, but even perfect days have to end.

One last meal of seafood, hugs goodbye to Loradona, and my parents and I head back to their house.

To prepare for me to head back to my house Tuesday. I do still come back home, though part of me doesn't want to... 

I purposely sat on the side of the plane that might have mountain views. I succeeded. 

So far, 37 has been pretty good, and this beach trip was absolutely wonderful. 

Hopefully the rest of my 38th year can keep up!