2012 Ski Mountaineer National Championships

HE WON!

Yep, Luke is the US National Champion in Ski Mountaineering. Last year he was the second US finisher, third overall, but this year he was first overall! It was exciting, plus it was fun to have his parents there to see the race with us. This is the first skimo race they had seen, and it was great to have them around.

The race was held in Jackson Hole at Teton Village. The course climbed up 8000 vertical feet and then of course you have to come down 8000 feet as well.

He was strong this year and had no problem with his gear. It was fun to watch this year as well because I was able to go up the tram and see Luke reach the top . It was the first time I've been able to see him on the course. The weather was nice and sunny this year, but the snow conditions were rough.

The next day he was able to race the Targhee skimo race and placed second there. One min. behind first. His legs were pretty worked after the big race so he couldn't hold onto the lead, but second was still great.

Christmas

This year we spent Christmas with my family. It was good to be home with my brothers, parents, and niece and nephew. Christmas is getting better every year with Kids around. Christmas Eve we spend at my Grandma's house, looking back I wish I would have taken my camera because I did not realize that would be the last Christmas with her around. We had a nice dinner and it was great to be at my grandma's again, it brought back a lot of memories from when I was little.

When we got back to my parent's house the girls received the traditional PJ's and then they frosted ginger bread cookies for Santa. Then it was off to bed.

The next morning Brynlee was very excited to see that Santa had found her at grandma and grandpas and she was pleased to see that Santa left lots of good crumbs behind.

Brynlee asked Santa for a cookie set and for a Fire Truck. Chloe received a barn and barn animals. We decided to continue with our tradition of not going overboard with the girls on Christmas. We wanted to keep it simple and focus on the little things. We've been more careful with the types of toys we buy for the girls and it's been much better at our house.

Christmas was great. I loved having it on Sunday this year. I loved that after opening the presents and feeling grateful for what we had and for being with family that we could attend church and focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

Oh and my favorite part of Christmas was...Surprising Luke, maybe even for the first time in our married life I was able to surprise Luke for Christmas. He's been talking a lot about wanting to learn how to play the banjo, so after a little while of searching I was able to find a banjo for him. It was a little difficult because I knew nothing about what type of banjo to buy. Thank goodness for the internet. It was fun to finally be able to surprise him!