Family shred day!

We finally made it up to the mountain for some skiing!

No action pics this time because the wind was crazy and there were white out conditions.

As we sat on the chair for our second run, they asked us to stand back up and leave 

because the wind was so bad they were shutting down the chair.

We raced over to the beginner chair to squeeze in a few more runs, but as we got in line for our 

second run on that chair, it was shut down too!

So although we only made 2 trips down the mountain, it was a huge bonding 

experience. The boys did so well under the extreme conditions and we're so happy we

got the few runs together that we did!

Looking forward to next time, hopefully with less extreme weather!!!

 

Happy 10th Birthday Barker!

Even with coronavirus life, we were able to have a small celebration for Barker turning double digits!

Max and Nico's came for a sleepover - and boy oh boy did these guys make up for lost time.

So much jumping, running, flipping off of things and not to mention hours of scootering

and skating! The last 2 pics show the gift Nico gave Barker...Nico's dad welded

him a scooter/skate rail - so now they can practice at home! 

(The wrapping job was the best ever - when they brought it out of the car he said,

 "Betcha can't guess what this is!!")

Bingen skatepark

We had the place to ourselves!

 

Art time

Our good friends Nico & Elsa came over last minute due to a childcare snafu-

and it was so much fun!

 

Hunting Christmas trees

and sledding, snow angels, hot cocoa around the fire and little elves!

Thank you for meeting up with us Blankingship fam,

CHEERS to new traditions!!!

We had a playdate

With Kingston's best friend Fabio, his older brother Gael and our neighbor Hannah.

We decided the risk to benefit was in our favor because they all

live waaay out of town too and don't go anywhere. It was amazing!

The joy it brought all of them to be with their peers was palpable!!!

 

Maranda

Our old neighbor from Hood River is a hair dresser.

Barker mentioned to me he wanted a haircut - in order to capitalize I texted her

to see if we could get in the same day (because tomorrow I'd risk the chance of

him changing his mind...) and she did us one better. She dropped what she was

doing and made a house call for us before heading into work!

Thank goodness for amazing friends!

When the suns out

we ride.

 

Wardrobe

Had to document...

Barker is wearing a sweatshirt that is not Crimson and wait for it... PANTS...

Kingston has been dying to wear this sweater vest and begged to wear it...

over his hooded sweatshirt. 

 

Hot cocoa

CHECK!

Sipped our first cup of the season with candy cane spoons!

 

Getting into the holiday spirit

We started decorating last weekend and got out the Christmas bumper cars...

a tradition started by Grandma with the first set of Bolland boys!

 

MASH

These 2 spent the afternoon predicting their future...cars, houses, jobs, wife, etc

with the game MASH! It was a hoot - I hadn't played this game

 in decades and they got a pretty good kick out of it!!!

 

Twins!

We got to sneak in a visit with these two lovies for thanksgiving -

so adorable in their matching outfits!

And the last pic of Luke in a hat reminds me SO much

of Barker at that age...he had a similar hat he wore EVERYWHERE

and would not leave home without it!

 

Leaves for days!

Back when we had a little sunshine and no rain...

the boys had been asking us for weeks when can we rake leaves 

and make a huge pile to jump in rather than just rake leaves to dispose of. 

This was that day, most of the leaves were all finally down and the weather 

was perfect - they took full advantage, even the dogs had a blast!