A White Christmas

Mike and I had an excellent Christmas.  It would have been even better if we were able to spend it with family but, we were very fortunate to have a white Tahoe Christmas.  It started snowing on Christmas eve.  It was very windy and cold so the snow blew around and created big snow drifts.  Mike and I stayed home all day.  We lounged on the couch and watched the snow fall from our window.  The total accumulation at our house was probably 3-4 inches but because of the wind, some places had deeper snow and some places had very little.  We were able to attend a lovely Christmas Eve service which definitely made it feel a lot more like Christmas (quick disclaimer though: no church service will ever be able to compare to Wendell Christian Church's Christmas Eve service).

We exchanged Christmas presents on Christmas eve since Mike wanted to get up EARLY Christmas day to go skiing.  He was very generous this year.  I got remote start for my car and a new pancake griddle... and then I was lovingly woken up on Christmas morning by my sweet husband requesting blueberry pancakes before he left for skiing... at 6:00 am.

 I couldn't decide what to get Mike but I had a few ideas.. so... I wrapped little objects or pictures that represented the gifts, and then told him he could pick one.  For example: I gave him a ring pop to symbolize a new wedding ring (his is too big and can't be resized because it's titanium).  I gave him a small wooden anchor to represent a cruise around San Francisco bay on a sailboat.  And the last option was a bike rack from REI.

Christmas day we woke up early... me to make pancakes... Mike to go skiing.  I stayed in my pjs all morning watching movies and while the snow flurries fell outside!  Later that day I cooked a ham, stuffing/gravy, green beans, rolls, sweet potato casserole and our friends brought corn pudding, apple pie and ice cream.  We had sweet tea and wine and it was all yummy.  I was able to get lots of sweet snuggles from their beautiful newborn daughter.  It was a really fantastic day.

Saturday, we went out for a little backcountry skiing.  The snow was good in some spots, but in others it was really crusty/icy.  Nevertheless, we got a great workout... saw some beautiful views... and got in a few turns.

Whew... finally made it to the ridge... just a little more uphill at this point. 

Me and our friend Landon... also from North Carolina... small world. 

The boys on the ridge. 

Looking down on Kirkwood Valley. 

An old lift shack at the top. 

Mike was pointing out other lines he wants to ski. 

Snack time before we ski down. 

Blair making some turns.

This is Landon skiing... Mike was always the one taking the pictures!

 After a short ski down the backside of the ridge, we put the skins back on our skis and hiked back to the top of the ridge.  This was my first time in the backcountry since last winter and it made me realize just how out of shape I've gotten.  It's really hard work. 

Once we hiked back up to the ridge, we skied down the front side to get back to the car.  About half way down, we decided to do a little beacon training.  Mike buried his back pack with his beacon in it, and Landon and I used our beacons to find it, probe it, and shovel it out... just as if Mike had been buried in an avalanche.  

I was SOOO glad we did this.  It was totally eye opening for me.  We have done some beacon training in the past, but never when I've had all my stuff (like my skis and poles, etc).  I have a new beacon, so just learning how to read it/use it was helpful.  I've reviewed the steps of searching for someone in an avalanche, but it's totally different practicing.  I realized that it's really hard for me to ski, carry my poles, and read my beacon at the same time.  Also, once I got close, I was too preoccupied with getting my probe out and I forgot to clip out of my skis. Anyway, long story short, this practice scenario made me realize how inefficient I am.   

Luckily, Landon found Mike's beacon in just a matter of minutes!  That makes me feel much better about them skiing together in the backcountry.  I will definitely be practicing more.  I've read books and watched videos, but nothing is as helpful as actually practicing.  I pray that I NEVER have to use these skills in a real scenario, but I still want to be prepared.  

Thanks again boys for letting this girl tag along! 

They are calling for COLD weather in the next few days (highs in the teens).  We will probably keep things pretty low key.  We'll clean up/take down Christmas decorations, etc. 

I hope everyone reading this had a wonderful Christmas holiday.  

2014 has been pretty fantastic and we can't wait to see what 2015 has in store for us.

This video has been posted on facebook, but I made it for Mike and I as a reflection on all the adventures we had in 2014.  We really try to be aware of all the blessings in our lives and making this video was a good way to reflect on those blessings. We wish you all a VERY happy and healthy 2015!!!!