Happy New Year's from "The Del"

It seems fitting that my last entry of 2013 should take place at the cabin. It was this destination that prompted my first entry, back in July.

 Seeing the cabin and lake surrounded by snow was beautiful! There was also lovely soft snow falling gently to the ground. It reminded me of the German carol, "Stile, Stile,Stile".

The kids were super excited and raced down to see what was what.

After having a tree fall on the Durango, during the summer, we didn't want to take any chances of more trees falling, or getting stuck at the bottom soooo we unloaded and carried everything down by hand. The toboggan came in handy for the heavier items. :) The kids and I organized and managed this task while Chris got the water going.

Since we have arrived, it has been a lot of playing in the snow, playing with toys, games, puzzles, hauling wood, and keeping the fire going. We also spent New Years eve day at Ainsworth Hot Springs.

Playing Junior Monopoly

Working on a 500 small piece fish puzzle! Yikes! It will take us until next year! ;)

Chinese Checkers by the fire.

On the ferry going across the lake to the hot springs.

Snow Angels instead of Sand Castles on the beach!

Look out!

Snowball fight against Daddy!

Indian Creek, where we get our water, as it flows through the property.

Some fast tobogganing down the steep driveway!

As we are just a few hours away from a new year, and the end of our holiday 2013 adventures,  I want to wish you all a Happy New Year! I just saw this quote and loved it so much. May your new years all be full of much peace, joy and adventures!.

On the Road Again!

We have finally made it to "The Del", Riondel that is, after 2500 kilometres! It definitely was the long way to the cabin. Our original idea was to spend Christmas at the cabin. But, as plans do, things changed when we started planning and opportunities presented themselves and so we have arrived here after stops in Vernon, Whistler, Vancouver, and Cor D'Alene!

Friday, the 27^th, was to be another ski day at Whistler. However, we when got up bright and early at 6 A.M., it was raining, so not so "bright"! After a bit of a think, we decided that skiing would be awful and we would just end up really wet, and miserable. So, it was on to Plan D, or whatever we were on at that point, and headed in to Vancouver! This is the Sea to Sky high way between Whistler and Vancouver. I don't think I have ever driven in so much rain in December!

Chris's brother and family live there and only Chris has ever visited them at their place. The kids were excited to see their one and only cousin, Patricia May! We also met Ping's mom, WaiPo, who is visiting from China. Ping is due to have a baby boy, any minute!, and her mom has come to help out. Actually, Waipo is here to help out until NEXT SUMMER! Now that is some kind of help! We were treated to a delcious meal in their favorite restaurant. It is always good when Ping is in charge of the ordering. What is even more amazing is that my picky little man eats everything too, that Auntie Ping orders!!!!

The kids had a great time together. Max can't wait to have a boy cousin too! Max will be 5 1/2 years older so will have lots to teach the new youngin'.

 THEN, we had more Chinese food, this time cooked by Ping's mom for our evening meal. We were treated to homemade Chinese steamed buns. Needless to say, we were not very hungry when we woke up the next morning to be on the road for the USA. (Thanks to Ted for the photos!)

 We successfully went over the boarder to travel down and up to Creston. The highway was great! It was large and clear of any snow or such, plus it was pretty straight!

Having a treat from Grandma Jean and Grandpa Keith.

Amyah reading a Christmas gift.

 We flew through the state of Washington, and stayed overnight in Cor D'Alene, Idaho. And, at last, we reached the little cabin in the woods.

Merry Xmas Part III

We had a day off today, Thursday, December 26th, 2013, from skiing. We slept in, the kids played and played, and we attended a FREE family event in Whistler. It was a good day too, to play a game, take some family photos, and sit around a real fire, and take a lovely walk around our area of Whistler. :)

Merry Xmas from "Whis"! Part II

Merry Christmas from the top of Blackcomb Mountain in Whistler, B.C.. What an awesome place! I do believe it is my favorite place to ski besides Panorama (that I have been to). This was our fourth trip and we still have not skied every single run! However, we have found that going there at the end of January, or in February, the snow is much, much better.

Chris is a fan of the "Blow Hole" and "Spanky's Ladder" which are serious runs for experts! I also think he just likes the names! LOL However, on this trip there was not enough snow for these to be open. :(

Since it was Christmas morning, WE actually got the kids up at 6A.M. to open gifts so we could be on the slopes for opening! I know, we are crazy! But the kids were excited and cooperative and the morning went well. Our kids seem to tear through the gift opening in a frenzy anyway so we had lots of time!

Amyah painted Chris a mug for his gift.

Max made a painted t-shirt with a race track on it for massaging Chris!

That is me crying over the gift Amyah made me, my own crown, plus a book of her own version of the "12 Days of Christmas".

New robes.

Santa gifts - whew! He found us!

We always pack a lunch to have plus snacks. Then after skiing we have a great dinner at home and also start the ski day with a fab breakie. :) Check out some more snaps here of our Christmas day on the slopes. I was amazed at actually how many people were also out there. It was also fun to see people dressed up, such as Max posing with some Santa snow boarders, plus everyone in such joyful moods and the lifties saying Merry Christmas! :)

Headed over to Whistler Mountain on "Peak 2 Peak".

Skiing above the clouds!

The drive from Vernon, was, well, much LONGER then Googles maps let on! However, it was a twisty but scenic route, so I guess that made a difference. We took turns driving this crazy road, highways 99 & 97 through B.C. from Vernon, and coming in to Whistler from the North. Once we arrived it was fun to explore the place we were staying with it stairway from the basement up to the second floor!