We made the Rainbo calendar. Hooray.

Garfield Park - Learning about harry potter world from professor stuber

Who professes in Florida.

First day on skis - Wilmot

 

Great success for both EB and Nata on their first day as skiers. We learned that tow ropes are the worst. Elliot got up on a chair lift and took several runs in the afternoon. Thanks to Cleora, he can even stop now. Nata climbed up the training hill and skied down several times.

Jules and I returned to alpine skiing after a decade-long break and had  blue bird Tahoe day for our triumphant returns, upper 30s and clear skies with no wind. Awesomeness all around.

Skiing with Sarina

Harry Potter Bad Guys

 

Audrey came over for a playdate and they played Harry Potter. Elliot is Ron Weasley after a big battle. Natalie is the little known ghost/vampire with a dark (flower) mark. Audrey is Narcissa Malfoy making her meanest face.

UPDATES: Nata says (1)  E.B. was on the good side. (2) Her mark is a snake. The red is his big tongue.

Little snow shoveler & Perfect Powder Day at Humboldt Park

 

Temps in the 20s, no wind, 6 or 8 inches of fresh snow and bunches of buddies. Good day!

New outfit handmade by Auntie Lynelle. Cute!

Flash back to skating with the Gomez family

Pseudo snowboarder

Two side ponytails together equals pigtails.

Cake time.

Ava's bday!

Ava's birthday scrum.

Hipster t-shirt file continues to rock.

On the way to Alliance.

Sarina's broken leg demands a stroller ride : (

Skating with the Gomez family at Millennium Park

Sarina's first swing

Hard to believe it is January 5th

Door County New Years #3

 

Jules, EB and I took a hike in Peninsula State Park. Elliot bounced back and forth between us for a couple of miles straight. It was very funny/exhausting. Nata did some puzzles with Suzy and Kiki and took a cool self portrait with Sarina (her American Girl Doll that looks like her) on the way home.

 We also ate like kings and now must give up all food and booze for a month.

Door County New Years #2

 

On New Year's Day, we went into Jacksonport for the Polar Bear Plunge. The temp was in the upper 20s with minimal ice in the lake. Probably the most favorable conditions in a decade. Tim, Jonah, Julie, Elliot and I all wore swimming suits and were considering jumping in. Once we saw the crowd and felt the wind pick up, that idea died a quick, merciful death.

The creek behind the cabin was much easier to navigate and no liability release was required so and I took a "Montana Bath." I can't believe the people at the event weren't whining more when they came out. It was cold.

Door County New Year's Trip

 

Suzy and Tim invited us up to Suzy's folks place in Jacksonport. They have a gorgeous cabin that backs up to a creek. There is a table that is great for crossword puzzles and a big bed for jumping and fighting on. Tim, Jonah, EB and I went for a hike at Cave Point and found some great rocks for climbing. Dominoes proved to be very popular as a game and a building material. Nata got sick and kinda missed the first day watching movies and regrouping.