Christmas and Ski camp

Josie's class had a gift exchange before school was over. Josie's teacher sent a class picture. 

 Landon's teacher sent a picture of his Christmas party where they played games.

 We celebrated christmas early with my parents over facetime. It wasn't the same as being in person but at least we got to see each other open their gifts:)

Josie mailed us this letter from school. Her class has been practicing writing letters. 

 The kids got out of school Wednesday and I was done with work on thursday. We decided to make a quick trip to the mountain to ski friday morning.

 We came home friday afternoon and got all our shopping done before Luke's parents arrived from portland. I stopped to pick up the prime rib and they had mini eggs too:) Easter and Christmas at the same time!

 Landon was excited to make gingerbread men.

 In landon style, he made a ninja bread man.

 Josie made gingerbread men, snowmen, trees and stars.

 The kids put together their gingerbread house.

 Landon decorated the front and half a roof.

 We made chex mix, a Baskin family tradition:)

 Josie really likes to cook, so she helped me make the stuffing too.

 Landon putting out the santa key. You put it on your front door so santa can get in if there is a fire in the fireplace.

 we forgot to buy carrots for the reindeer so we left them celery instead.

 We actually caught santa in action!

 Landon woke up at 4:30 christmas morning! we quickly sent him back to bed, but I think we were up again by 7. We put the yule log station on the tv and ate cinnamon rolls.

 We were all spoiled this year:) Landon with his KTM semi truck.

 Luke's parents bought us a cool sign for our condo.

 Lukes mom had a picture of his grandpa's football team framed.

 After presents we cleaned up and headed across the field to rudy and carli's house to exchange presents and go sledding. We woke up to a snowy christmas.

 Luke and Rudy bought each other hats and Carli and I got each other workout gear:)

 Josie and Lila sledding.

 Landon not wanting his picture taken.

 Rudy started a bonfire.

 We went to see the new Jumanji in 3D. It was surprisingly really good!

The day after chrismas we headed up to Schweitzer for the kids Christmas Camp. Every year, the week after christmas the kids ski for 4 days in a row with their coaches and on the 5th day they have a race. Josie was excited to make cupcakes with her new cupcake making kit that santa brought her. Her friend Phyllis lives in the condo next to us so she came over to help Josie.

 We hung our Schweitzer sign up in the condo.

 I didn't take a ton of pics but Here are a few from the week. Landon and His friend Mason

 Hanging out at lunch...

 Landon and mason are twins in all their ski gear. I can hardly tell them apart when they ski by.

 Mason's mom Lisa and I posed for a picture after facing our fears on a really steep powder run through the trees that her husband took us through. It's been fun this year to ski with friends we have made and ski with others who are better than myself. I'm not an expert by any means, but It helps to go with other people who can give me pointers and help me be a better skier so I can try to keep up with my kids.

 We had several friends over for dinner throughout the week. Friday rudy and carli came over with our friend Rich and his son who is 17. Josie and Jaxs snuggled up on the couch.

 Landon would live in his speed suit if we didn't make him take it off. He was playing on his kindle fire:)

 Our friend Rich is known by our kids for giving Bull rides;) So Josie and landon wouldn't let him leave without one:)

 We bought walter a dog bed at the condo, but he prefers to sleep in the kids bean bag chairs.

 Landon and Janie at lunch one day. Janie broke her wrist sledding down her stairs at home, but she was still able to ski!

 Josie and her friend Annie. They are in the same grade at school too.

 Me, Lisa and a new friend I made, Tanya.

 After the kids are done skiing with their coaches we sometimes take a few runs with the kids, if we have enough energy left at the end of the day! I took a run with Landon and Mason.

 Above the clouds.

 Race day was Sunday. I rode the lift with Josie and some of her friends.

 It was a beautiful day for a race, it was cold, but not snowing or foggy. Here is Landon, all ready to go.

 all lined up at the start.

 The kids take 2 runs, back to back and they combine the times to get a total score. Landon did great.

This is just some of the chaos at the top of the course. When you have a speed suit on you wear zip off pants. (something I learned early on with ski racing) The pants zip off so you don't have to take off your ski boots to get your pants off. Several girls at the top were stuck in their zip off pants and the coaches and luke, who was helping at the top of the course were trying to help.

 Josie all ready for her race.

Josie's 1st run.

Josie and Annie.

 After the race I took a few runs with Landon, Josie and Lila.

 They have an awards Ceremony after the races are all done. Landon finished 2nd! He was super proud.

 Josie has a lot bigger age category and a lot of super fast girls on her team. So,she didn't place, but we were still proud of her. They only place to 10th.

 Landon and His friend Janie.

 Josie was faking a smile with her brother and his trophy.

 After a long day of racing we  headed over to our friends house on the mountain for a new years eve party.

 They have a pretty wicked sledding hill, so we make the kids wear helmets.

 They had sparklers and a ton of huge fireworks.

 We came home to a skating rink in our driveway. Apparently there was a melt off and freeze here in valleyford.

After having 11 days off from work, tomorrow will be rough getting back into the swing of things. The kids will go back to school on wednesday and start friday night races this friday and they are excited about it. This will be their 3rd year doing the races. Happy New year!