Christmas at the Wilson's with One Sister and Two Furry Friends

Shane and I spent this Christmas with my sister Kim and two Golden retrievers. At the last minute friends of ours called looking for a dog sitter so we spent the week taking care of AND falling in love with their dogs. Shane is still trying to convince me that we don't need to get a dog now. We were thankful and blessed this Christmas as we rejoiced in the birth of our Savior.

...for God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall have everlasting life...John 3:16

Paddington is the most lovable and cuddly dog.


Kim is getting all geared up to snowboard with her new North Face fleece.


Thanks Mom & Dad Wilson for the hoodie.


Shane wearing his new hat and gloves from his parents.


My first attempt at Grandma's wreath coffee cake.

Everest? It Felt Like It!

Saturday morning, I was driving South on US 287. The coffee was steaming and the sun was rising to the East with a glow the mix of purple and orange....Dispatch was blasting from the radio. After a quick detour through Arvada, my friend Mark and I were off to St. Mary's Glacier to earn a few turns. Good conversation ensued throughout the drive up the canyon.

St. Mary's is a relatively small glacier about 70 miles from Longmont. Our intent was simple: bootpack the glacier, have a few snacks and ski to the car. Basking in the glory of it all? Optional!




After reaching the top of the glacier, we decided there was plenty of time for additional adventure. James Peak was only a mile or so away and would be a great climb. We decided to take on the 13,294 ft beast of a mountain. Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating, but it would definitely turn out to be more than we expected.

Once arriving at the base of the mountain, the fun began. Soon, we were getting slammed with 60-70 mph wind gusts. Our jackets flapped in the wind louder than a rock concert and the skis on our packs acted as sails. The power of Mother Nature can truly knock you down to size. Once reaching the top of the snow field, we decided the summit would wait for another day...we had tackled all but 700 vert ft or so and we couldn't take any more. I would find that my socks had frozen upon putting my ski boots on, so I was anxious as ever to move to more of a mild climate.




Skiing down a mountain doesn't always put into perspective the work that was accomplished, but this time was different. As we made our way back to the glacier, the sun was peaking from behind the clouds, the snow was getting softer, and our feet had almost thawed. The last bit of skiing to the car was deep through the trees and left us wanting more.

By far, the best part of the day was enjoying being in nature with a good friend. When you're in the midst of a unpleasant situation (i.e. excessive wind and frozen boots), it's easy just to focus on that and that alone. But when the mountain is behind you and you're all alone, the question is not "what will I do next," but "what will WE do next!"

I'm just thankful I can always come home to my greatest adventure....See below!!!

Creative movement class

On Friday mornings I teach two creative movement classes; I have a group of 10-12 three year olds and about 6 four/five year olds. They are such a joy! I've been teaching since the fall and it's been neat to see the kids progress is their skills and creativity. Here are a few pics of the older class. The picture above I asked the kids to make a "shape" and what you see is their pose!


We used streamers to dance, whirl, and sway.

Something to think about...

This quote was printed in our bulletin at church last Sunday. I really like it and thought that it was worth sharing.

"People get from books the idea that if you have married the right person you may expect to go on "being in love" forever. As a result, when they find they are not, they think this proved they have made a mistake and are entitled to a change- not realizing that, when they have changed, the glamour will presently go out of the new love just as it went out of the old one. In this department of life, as in every other, thrills come at the beginning and do not last...Let the thrill go - let it die away - go on through that period of death into the quieter interest and happiness that follow - and you will find that you are living in a world of new thrills all the time. But if you make thrills your regular diet and try to prolong them artificially, they will all get weaker and weaker, and fewer and fewer, and you will be a bored, disillusioned old man for the rest of your life. It is because so few people understand this that you find many middle-aged men and women maundering about their lost youth, at the very age when new horizons ought to be appearing and new doors opening all round them. It is much better fun to learn to swim than to go on endlessly (and hopelessly) trying to get back the feeling you had when you first went paddling as a small boy."

-C.S Lewis, Mere Christianity

Cozy cabin, warm fireplace & ski slopes....great vacation!

Surprise!!

This year my sister Kim decided she wanted to cook Thanksgiving dinner. We started out thinking we'd have four or five people for dinner and ended up with eleven. My parents flew in from Michigan and surprised us on Thanksgiving day. I don't think Shane or I have ever been so shocked. It was really exciting and special. I haven't spent Thanksgiving with my parents in 7 years!! We had a wonderful day filled with family, new and old friends, lots of laughter and overly full bellies. I have to say, I think my first attempt at cooking a turkey was a success. My parents were only in town for a day and a half so we spent the next few days soaking up time with them. Hiking in Boulder and meeting Kim's new dog were a few highlights.


Shane and Dad


Andrea, Joy, and Joy's mom who was visiting from Dallas


Andrea, Joy, and Olivia....friends from our Community group




Kim's new dog Louie


A trip to Boulder would not be complete without a hike up Boulder's famous Sanitas trail.