There's a First for Everything...

We don't own a gun but Uncle Brian owns many, so when he offered to show us the chance to go shoot some stuff we jumped on the opportunity. We were all a little nervous about the kick back but it actually wasn't that bad. I lost count of all the bullets we used. Uncle Brian and his boys were very impressive with their shooting skills. Brian would throw out his clay disks and the kids would shoot at them. 

 

First Timers at HooDoo...

I learned to snow ski when I was in the 6th grade. I have been really wanting to get the kids up to the mountain but with Zach's soccer and Kate's dance we never have had the opportunity until this year because Covid has shut down anything and everything the kids enjoyed. Thankfully skiing is outdoors and was deemed safe so I packed the kids in the car and headed to Aunt Marnae's. We dropped Preston off at her friends house to be watched and headed to Hoodoo resort in central Oregon. Kate and Ryan learned to ski and Zach learned to snowboard. I set them up with a 2 hr lesson to get them going which was really helpful. It was pretty snowy that day but everyone had a great time and lasted the entire day. 

 

Turning 8 and Great Wolf Lodge...

We surprised Ryan with trip to Great Wolf Lodge for his 8th birthday. Being in lockdown of online school and having all activities cancelled I wasn't sure what to do to celebrate this huge milestone for Ryan. We usually do friend parties on even birth years, but everything is shut down around us. Thank goodness Washington state hadn't lost its marbles completely and was allowing some businesses to operate as usual. We stayed for two nights., and we all agreed it was the best way to celebrate Ryan.  

 

A Very Merry Christmas...

We had a great Christmas this year.  Santa delivered some fun things for the kids and brought Dad his first Blackstone griddle. He saw someone cooking burgers on one over the summer while we were at the river in Lake Oswego and he thought they were so cool. Since he loves his Treager why not add a griddle to the mix? Later that day we celebrated with family with our usual prime rib dinner, trivia and LCR. The Lamberts won the pot this year.

Christmas Eve with Superman...

We gathered and spent Christmas Eve at Aunt Heather and Uncle Steve's house. We ate yummy food followed by each family sharing a fun game to play as a whole group. After games the kids got dressed up in Grandma Thompson's collection of Nativity costumes and re enacted the nativity, read out loud by Grandpa. This year we had a "Superman" Joseph, two wise men and an angel. When we got home the kids opened their Christmas jammies and headed off to bed. It's the same thing almost every year, but Christmas traditions never get old no matter how many times they get repeated.