December Memories - Leavenworth at Christmastime

Tyler's Jazz Band had the opportunity to go over to Leavenworth, that cute little Bavarian town I've mentioned here...

It is absolutely gorgeous all decked out with lights at Christmastime!

Everyone gathers on the historic street the first few weeks of December for the Christmas lighting ceremony, and then bands and choirs from all over perform in the town square. 

It is so festive!

Here's a couple of Tyler playing.  (He's in the middle in the back).

What a fun opportunity Tyler had, I'm so glad he got to go with his band!

He also got to pick out some fun Christmas ornaments for he and Maddie from the Kris Kringle store... a fun family tradition.

Snowbound

We rarely get snow here in the Pacific Northwest, but when we do, it is gorgeous!

So school is cancelled and the kids have been outside most of the time these past few days!

Had to get a few shots before they got started!

Off they go to sled on a tiny hill at the end of our street!

(These were all taken the past couple of days)

The roads are all icy so we're avoiding going out, but the kids are having a blast!

Brrr, is it ever cold!  Todays high was 24, so I don't know if it's going to melt anytime soon!

I Can Do Hard Things...

Wow, almost 3 weeks into school and things are going well.  I am still working on first day of school pics that I need to post! I had to share this though while the thoughts are fresh in my mind...

Mid-High (our school here for just 8th and 9th) has been going good for Tyler so far.  A few bumps in the road but he seems to be adjusting fine to the new school and environment, and enjoys his teachers.  It sure starts early though - 7:20 AM!  I'm so grateful Jeff can drive him across town to the school on his way to work at 6:50! 

(at the start)

He's taking cross country and this is a first for him, after doing track and field last spring.  We told him he needed to pick a sport or some physical activity for fall and since he's not doing football or soccer anymore, we gently suggested cross country.  He said, sure, since all of his friends were doing it.  Well after running 2 miles straight the first 2 days of practice, he said he was quitting.  It was rough, not being conditioned to do that, but we "gently" (you can't push too hard at this age!), encouraged him to stick it out longer! 

Well, 2 weeks into it and the first meet under his belt, he's still going strong.

The meet was held at Jennings Park which has gorgeous trails all over, but the hills on their running route were killers.

Here's his good friend, Tanner, just look at the determination on his face, pushing himself.  He's been a good friend for Tyler.

On the last hill of the route, (which you can see here is just gorgeous!), we watched all the runners make their way up and listened to the coaches giving encouragement - "Come on, you can make it, you're almost there!".  We waited, and watched, (and prayed) for Tyler until we saw him come around the corner. 

At this point, I had tears in my eyes, covered up by the camera... (I know for anyone who is a runner, this probably isn't a big deal, but for me to see him do this, it is!)  I couldn't do it, run almost 2 miles, up and down hills consistently like this.  Jeff used to run all the time when we were first married, so this is good for he and Tyler as well, to get out and run together. 

When you see something like this as a mother, your heart swells up so big with pride for your kid as they accomplish something they've never done before.  Hopefully he'll always remember as he goes through life, "I CAN do hard things..."

(Last push to the finish line.)

(I know, all the pics are a bit blurry, but I couldn't snap them fast enough as he was coming up the hill!  Just matters to me that I got them :)

You did it!! It's gotta feel so good and you make your family proud!

(Good sport. He's barely tolerating this picture -- more of a "come on mom, put down the camera so I can go home and rest!")

Where Has Summer Gone...?

Summer is almost over... and it's gone by so fast!  What have we done... well a ton, but I haven't blogged about any of it! There's so much I want to post, but can't seem to find enough time... Here's just a few picture moments to share, even though it doesn't even scratch the surface...

Madeline dances every chance she gets...

She's always a willing subject for taking pictures...

Swimming lessons have gone well...

Although she still insists on having a "girl" teacher!

Tyler got braces...

(This is a very close-up shot with his phone!)

Here's a couple of befores he wanted me to take...

and one of he and Maddie, just for fun.  That sweet moment lasted for about 30 seconds!

Here's an after of the braces at the Mukilteo lighthouse that we went to visit.

(More on that fun outing later...)

We went camping...

and played in the river at the ward campout.

I made jam... for the second summer...

Yum!!

We've enjoyed lots of swimming...

(This is obviously in UT!)

and hiking...

(Mirror Lake in the UT Uintas)

Bogus Basin above Boise with the Hall cousins.

(this was climbing Mt. Pilchuck with "Bumpa" LaPerle and Tyler's cousin Cassidy.  I need to post more details of this amazing hike they took soon!)

Beach time...

 

(Maddie with her friend Savannah)

It's been a very full summer, and there's still so much more I haven't shared yet, like our fun family reunion and fun times with cousins, but slowly I will get to all of it!  (There's so many pictures to go through!)

I think this one though is ready to start school again... :)