Winter in Bend is unpredictable. It can be a snow storm one day and then sunny and spring-like the next. One of the many reasons we moved there.
This was our one and only snow storm this winter here in Bend. Auty is a little confused I think, on what to wear. Or maybe she just loves to run around in bathing suits as her everyday attire regardless of what season it may be.
Joss catching snow flakes in her mouth. Oh, the and excitement and amazement the first snow always brings. I love it!
In Bend, Santa comes in on a helicopter. It was a little nerve racking waiting for him while the rain came down and the winds blew pretty hard. Didn't think he was going to make it. Then when we saw him coming from afar, we were a little scared again that maybe he wouldn't make it to the ground safely. Unlike most, we stayed far away until the helicopter safely landed before we went over to give hugs. Only in Bend.
The look of excitement on both their faces in priceless.
Out of the whole crowd, Auty gets picked up by Santa and gets the biggest hug ever. She was SO excited! She didn't stop talking about Santa for weeks after that.
There's the Big and Burly Erik ready to cut down our first ever, fresh cut, Christmas tree. You pay only $5 to get a permit to go to the forest and cut down any tree to take home with you.
After about an hour of searching and almost getting lost, we finally found our tree! A family photo moment for sure, even Nana was there!
The tree looked a lot smaller in the forest than when we got it home. But it worked perfect! It never lost a pine needle and the kids decorated it perfectly. Our favorite tree of all time.
If we sent out Christmas photos this year, it would have been this one. But time ran away from me and it just never happened.
A couple pics of Christmas morning. Auty loving her Elsa doll, which I am sure was a hot seller this year.
And Joss was psyched to open up her Tinker Bell movie. All was right on this Christmas morning.
During winter break we took a hike at Smith Rock Park. It was only 25 degrees out but so worth it. As the kids, Nana and Erik hiked our usual hike I decided to take a more intense hike alone up to the top. It's a hike the kids would not be able to do at this time and Erik would never do ever. :)
The view of Monkey Face. I had heard so much about this view and finally got to see it. It was just as amazing as I had hoped.
Another view from the top. I didn't want to leave.
Josslyn singing at first Christmas Choir Show. She did wonderful and as always, felt very comfortable on stage.
While Autumn was at school, we decided to take Josslyn ice skating for the first time. She started off a little shaky but...
Ended up loving it and doing wonderful. She is a very determined and courageous little girl. I hope she never loses that.
Autumn's first ballet show. She seriously was the star of the show and did not want to leave the stage.
Love the hip movement for her final pose of the night. So sassy.
We have done lots so far this winter and much more excitement is on its way. It's time to rest up while we can. So sweet.
