Ski bums.

The Swanson Family has been putting on a lot of miles at Mount La Crosse this winter.  Not only is it a great, family friendly ski hill, but the St. Bernard room provides an awesome apres ski atmosphere!  Dirk and I both grew up skiing and it's been a special experience teaching our kids how to ski.  In fact, they both love it.  This year, Cullen has been into skiing jumps (a small one at the base of the hill) and the tree paths carved along the edge of the hill.  I have a feeling this kid is going to be a serious dare devil.  Simone loves to ski, but at the start of the season would only do so if we were skiing behind her, holding her under the arms.  After her 6th time out to the hill, I am happy to report that she will now ski 5 yards in front of me on the green Apple Bottom run.  Her progress this year has been amazing.  While they both still need plenty of parental support (especially on the chairlifts!), we don't mind because it gives us a new challenge on the small ski hill.  Our hope is that family ski vacations will become a routine vacation plan in the future.  (Note:  Grandpa Mike:  we may be visiting you to ski Lutsen before you know it!).

Cold Daze.

It's been years since the schools actually closed due to cold weather instead of snow.  Lately I've been  seriously doubting the theory of global warming.  As the cold weather rolled in, we did art projects, baked cookies, played games, watched movies and did played with just about every toy in the house!  On the warmer winter days, we've enjoyed sledding, skiing and visiting the La Crosse Rotary lights.  Even though we try to make the best of winter, Cullen recently confessed that summer is his favorite season!

The Christmas Spirit is Alive.

Our holiday weekend began with a visit from Santa Claus.  The Clarks and Sauters were over for pizza and all of a sudden the man in red walked up to the door.  The kids were beyond excited. Cullen asked for "a race car track" while Simone asked for "a rainbow and a gingerbread man".   As Santa left, Cullen slipped his official wish list in Santa's bag.  It's probably good that Simone's list didn't make it in his bag.  As I was the scribe for her letter, it went something like this: "Dear Santa, How are you?  How is your wife?  Is she pregnant?".   I couldn't help but laugh out loud as she talked!

 The rest of the Christmas holiday was full of excitement, over-the-moon kids and the magic of Christmas.  Going to a Catholic grade school, Cullen is also very aware that the real reason for Christmas is the birth of baby Jesus.  In fact, both kids have a new fascination with religious Christmas songs: "Away in the Manger", "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "Silent Night".  And both little ones sang their hearts out at the Christmas candlelight mass.  In fact, they also both managed minor injuries due to wax burns on the fingertips.  We had a wonderful Christmas day, just the four of us.  We hung out and played with toys from 6 am - 7:30 pm.   We had great Christmas celebrations with the Swanson and LaVigne families.  We are truly blessed.