What's going on?

Not much, really. We had a swim meet last weekend that took up all of our time. Clare swam in the morning and Daniel in the afternoon on Sat. and Sun. It was fun this time. No one was sick like the last meet. They both shaved time off most of their events. They both swam the 500 Free (20 laps) and did great! Clare got a BB time (super time!) and Daniel won (and lost) the race for his age group - he was the only 8 & Under swimming it, so he got the 1st place ribbon! No pictures of the meet since I was either training to be a stroke and turn judge, or I was busy watching Daniel swim. (I also didn't take my camera.) We're looking forward to B/C champs in a couple of weeks. Well, let me take that back. Clare is aging up next week which means all of her time standards change. She's looking at doing well for next year's championships.

This week is a normal week. Swimming, violin, school. Today is an easy day with nothing this afternoon. We're going to watch yesterday's American Idol and Sunday's Extreme Home Makeover. :) I might even take a nap! :) I need to get prepared during the next week or so for my baby to turn 11. I can't believe she's that old!! LOVE HER!!

Skiing!

It was time for us to go skiing again. We haven't been since '06 and I was itching to get out there. Plus, the kids really wanted to go. We headed out on Monday and Tuesday - holidays already, so the kids didn't miss any school. Tom didn't go with us. Mainly because he doesn't ski. The last time he did was probably 13 years ago and he was hilarious! He also has to work. Remember busy season? We're in the thick of it.

So, we started driving bright and early on Monday morn. I think it was 11 degrees when we started. At one point on the drive, the car thermometer read 2 degrees! Here I am throwing my kids out onto a frozen tundra - what was I thinking???? Anyway, we got to the slopes, signed the kids up for lessons and I headed out into the freezing weather. Thank goodness it was a gorgeous day and there was no wind. I'm not a wind kind of person. Ended up being one of the best days to ski. The crowds weren't too bad, either. I picked up the kids midday and we went out together. The green trails were nice and long. The kids have really picked up on skiing. Clare is super - knows how to turn and keep control. Daniel is just a maniac, but he tends to maintain control as well. He was scaring Clare and me by heading down the slopes at break neck speed.

Tuesday was a little different. It was snowing and windy, but not as cold. Still, it was windy. Daniel took a 1/2 day lesson and Clare and I headed out to ski a little together. Not the best conditions. On one section of the mountain it was so windy that the snow felt like little needles on your face. Clare also doesn't weigh enough and the wind was slowing her down. So much for that section of the mountain. After some nice hot chocolate, we headed to some blue trails. Clare did great!! Daniel joined us on the blues after his lesson was over. They both showed their inner daredevil - I had a tough time keeping up with them! :) I am so thrilled that we can now all ski together! I have a feeling they're going to want to do the black diamonds next time! Look for me to be in a full body cast!

The view from our hotel room was fantastic!!

Vegging out after a long day of skiing. We went to play in the pool and hot tub after watching a little TV.

Definite Snow Day!

We went out for a little fun this morning. Sledding, snow ball fighting, and snowman building with a neighbor. It's a gorgeous day and the snow is melting fast! Enjoy the pictures.

Snow Day?

It's 7:15 a.m. No snow on the ground. The schools are closed. :-) You may think that this upsets me. Not today. I've got a new perspective on it. The other day we had a brief snow storm at midday and I had to drive in it. No biggie really, since I'm used to driving in snow. However, it seems there are others out there who have no idea about how to drive in the snow. I saw at least 4 accidents - 2 major ones - during the short time I was out. It's not the bus drivers that have the problems (though it could very well be possible.) It's everyone else out there who can't slow down and think. I'm going to have fun with the kids today. Hopefully it will eventually snow and we can go out and play. Until then, they're going to sleep in, I'm going to play on the computer with my little GoLite (SAD) on bright, and Tom's going to go in to work (it's busy season, remember. No snow days for him!)

Update: 11:35 a.m. and snowing!! We have at least 2 inches now. Good thing they called school. The roads are nasty. I just got back from taking the dog for a walk - gotta love walking in the snow. So peaceful. The kids are out playing. I've taken a couple of pictures - more later when it quits snowing.

This is the view from our front stoop. Clare and Daniel are out there somewhere - I can hear them, but not see them. :) They're a mess!
The view from our back deck usually includes a big mountain beyond the orchard. Can't see a thing today. I love it! More later. I'm going to go tackle Daniel's closet.

Tagged!

My buddie, Katie tagged me. Here's what it's all about (I just copied yours, Katie!):

Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog. Share 5 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog and/or share the 5 top places on your “want to see or want to see again” list and/or share 5 things you never pictured being in your future when you were 25 years old.

Tag a minimum of 5, maximum of 10 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.The tagees have a choice of which they want to do.

I'll attempt all three! Got some down time!

5 Random Facts:

1. I've been around the world about 2 1/2 times.
2. I have the urge to move every 5 years - just to live somewhere new and meet new people. It comes from moving so much in my youth. This is tough since I probably won't ever move again!
3. Like Katie, I'd love to live on a farm. I want a goat or two so that I can make cheese. I'd like to raise organic chickens and grow organic vegetables. :)
4. My favorite movie writer is John Hughes - Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller, Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles. Shows my age!
5. I'm not a big dog lover. I was bitten by a couple of German Shepherds in 6th grade. Not fun!

5 Places I'd Like to Visit (or, Return to . . .)

1. The Greek Isles on a cruise!
2. Ipoh, Malaysia - I was born there!
3. Austria and Switzerland - in the summer to hike and the winter to ski!
4. Machu Pichu - it just seems like a really cool place.
5. France with Clare

5 Things you never pictured being in your future when you were 25 years old

1. Clare and Daniel! I got married at 25 - no thoughts of kids just yet!
2. Being a school librarian. That was not even a possiblity! I could never have predicted that my professional life would have gone in that direction. I miss it!
3. My friends, of course. Such great support!
4. This blog. It's been fun and easy!
5. My life as it is. Who would have known we'd have this house, these kids, the pets - this life? Thanks to God. Seriously!

I've only got one tag:
Sheila! Have a little fun, think of something other than what's going on. Love ya!

Happy 2008!

It's catch up time. I've been sick with a horrible cold the past few days (perhaps since Christmas) and I've not been motivated to do anything! That includes cleaning up the house, cooking, updating the blog, changing out of my PJ's, etc. So, today I had to get up and take the kids to violin lessons. That meant changing out of my PJ's - YUCK! - and into normal clothing. Of course, when I went to drop off the kids at school, I discovered there was an hour delay. What????? O.K. I'm now officially an at-home mom - I no longer work in the school system. How can I tell? I wasn't excited that the kids had an hour delay! Anyway, to the point, I got home from putting the chillins on the bus and lo and behold I am now motivated! I put away all the Christmas stuff, threw away the greenery making messes on my floor, and vacuumed. The only things left are the outside lights. I'm NOT motivated to go out in the freezing cold, hurricane force wind. Tom will just have to do that. Of course, now that busy season has started, we'll have lights on the bushes until April (right, Katie?) :)

Anyway, I've added the latest violin recital. Please don't listen too closely. The kids were on Christmas break and weren't into practicing! Also, don't think their facial expressions give any indication as to what they think of violin. They are concentrating on remembering the music - HONESTLY! Well, maybe they don't like it all the time.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We also celebrated Tom's birthday since Christmas. He's such a youngster. :) Of course, most people think he's older than me with all the gray on the sides. Halleluiah!