dedicated or goofy in the head?

My sister Tammy and I have been so dedicated to skiing in the mornings. We meet each other just before 6 am on the trail complete with headlamps strapped on. We both admit that we do better at getting out of bed when we know that the other is waiting for us. Well last Monday when we got dumped on, it was 30 degrees outside and we thought we would check and see if our trail survived the ice and snow. This is what we found when we went out that morning.

We could not believe that the snow could weigh down tree branches that much. They covered the trail and we could not get through unless we whacked the trees back to life. We would refer to our ski poles as our magic wands that would awake our sleeping trees. It was absolutely gorgeous out that morning and worth the trip out. We completed one lap on our trail in the time it usually takes us to do three! We felt pretty good about our work on the trail. Little did we know that the next afternoon when the groomer came to the trail that we actually saved the ski trail by getting the trees up out of the way! I talked to the groomer and he actually had to cut trees down to clear the trail wide enough to make a pass. We were a little biased when we cleared the trail and only stuck to one side of the trail where we normally ski classical. The middle and far side where the skate skiers go is non-functioning right now unless we get a ton of more snow. Karma.

We have a blast skiing together and don't whine every time the snow falls. I find myself smiling when I go out from work and see the new fresh snow...

Emmitt Jon

the last 2 years in review....sigh

the invite...

The invites have been sent. Can't believe that my Emmitt is turning two in just 17 short days. He is ready but I am not sure mommy and daddy are.

the day with no naps...

The day of the Gizzard run we also had a birthday party. Parker and Emmitt's 3rd cousin and bud turned 4. It was a Spongebob party with everything fun...it ended at Bronco Hill with lots of kids going down the hill having tons of fun. I could barely walk at this point, but I think it helped to keep moving my legs. There were 7 kids total and we had enough sleds for all of them and the had a blast going up and down the hill for the afternoon. The party was from 1:30-3:30 and I never would have guessed that both boys, especially Emmitt, would make it without a nap.
I tend to be the mom that sticks with routine so much that I am fearful of changing it up. I have gotten much better about it now that Emmitt is nearing two. This past holiday season we just planned ahead of time to have their schedules messed up. Funny thing is, once you accept it, it isn't so bad. I believe that if you go at it with the right attitude it'll turn out fine. This was one of those days that it worked!Garret...the big 4 year old now! I know I've said before how strange the story is of us meeting this family but I'll say it again. Jon (Garret's dad) is my 2nd cousin. His Grandpa and my Grandma were brother and sister. Jon and I had never met...until they moved to Int'l Falls and moved 2 houses away from us! He actually went to college with my girl Davina and boy David! They have 3 kids: Jake is 6, Garret is 4 and baby Gracie. All of us are so close in age it is bordering unbelievable!

Parker soon ditched the sledding hill to play in the snow fort built by the arena. He found one of the little boys he was in skating with and just played for an hour on a pile of snow. There were tunnels to crawl in and big piles to climb on.

Emmitt must have dragged that sled or tube up the hill 25 times. Jon was waiting at the top of the hill with the baby and would help Emmitt in the sled and give him a push down. He would climb up the hill, smile and say again to Jon. He was the Herb Brooks of Bronco Hill.

So the day was successful with no naps. We might just try it again soon....