We had already warned the kids: we would not be skiing this 2020-21 season. Most resorts required season passes in order to ski their slopes due to Covid restrictions.

Then Jim began to research options. It was a crazy thought at first: could we take the family out to Colorado economically AND ski the slopes? The more he researched, the more we realized the pie-in-the-sky vision could become reality. For one, flights were clearance priced; two, lodging was one-third the normal cost; and three, a few resorts were selling day passes as long as you made a reservation well in advance.

We pulled the trigger and decided to surprise the kids Christmas morning. A few short weeks later, we were at the airport, on our way to CO.

Our first day was at Keystone. It was a weekend day, which meant the place was packed. So much for lower numbers due to Covid restrictions! They were enforcing masks in the lift lines, at least. It felt so good to be on skis again. It had been almost two years since our last trip.

We spent the next three days skiing Arapahoe Basin. We crammed all of our ski equipment into the rental each day and unloaded in the parking lot.

A-Basin is where the boys learned to ski several years ago. They were definitely feeling sentimental when we arrived.

How’s this for a throwback pic: our first family ski trip at Arapahoe Basin, 2013 (Ruth was in ski school on another part of the mountain). Note the attire–no helmets, no goggles, and Jake and Derek are even skiing in jeans!

Before we left for the trip, Jim and I kept with tradition and made 48 cliff bars for lunches on the slopes. We got worried when at the airport TSA flagged the baggage containing the bars. After explaining what they were for, we were good to go. Ruth sat at the top of the mountain to eat.

We were buds that week.

These guys stuck together on the slopes every day.

The somewhat last-minute trip could not have gone more smoothly. It was good family time doing something we all love.

When we returned home, Peter put together a re-cap video:

We received the devastating news on January 1st that Ronnie passed from this temporary life on earth to eternal life in heaven with his Savior, Jesus Christ. To be clear, it is devastating for those of us still here; not for him.

I’ve written a little about his story here and here. His life motto was: Never Give Up, Failure is Not an Option, Refuse to Lose. He didn’t just believe those words, he lived them throughout tremendous trials. He had every reason to give up and to accept failure and loss, but he did not. Despite every earthly treasure being taken away from him, he never complained or felt sorry for himself. I’m pretty sure it’s because he understood this passage from the Bible more than many people:

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

We gathered earlier this month to celebrate Ronnie’s life, and even more so, celebrate the God who saved Ronnie from his sin and welcomed him into His presence once and for all. What a gracious, loving, powerful God! So it is goodbye for now, Ronnie. I’ll see you soon enough when we are worshiping together at our Savior’s feet.

We loaded up the vehicle with 6 people, one large dog, Christmas presents, air mattresses and pillows, and made our way to Dayton to celebrate Christmas with Jake and Tiffany.

It was well worth the effort–we missed them terribly on Christmas Day and were all so eager to see them. We got right down to business when we arrived and opened presents.

Molly offered her help.

J and T were dog-sitting their neighbors’ dog, Sasha. This may be shocking, but Ruth fell in love with her right away.

What’s even more shocking is that Molly did not fall in love with Sasha. They remained in their separate corners of the room most of the time. It didn’t take long for Sasha to sniff out Molly’s fear of other dogs, however, so the small one would occasionally snap at the large one.

They remained socially distanced, even while walking. The dogs were happy to comply with the restrictions.

We played games…

and the brothers got along most of the time.

Meanwhile, Jim assembled their new grill.

On New Year’s Eve, all the guys went to a local fireworks store to load up on explosives. Then as the night wore on, Ruth helped Jake make chocolate chip cookies.

We all headed outside to start making some noise.

The fireworks varied from roman candles to big loads. This one was the most impressive.

Here’s the emptied box.

We had a great visit and enjoyed time all together. Jim and I are grateful for the community with which God has surrounded Jake and Tiffany. One neighbor gave this gift to all the cul-de-sac neighbors.

Derek got a wood-burning pen for Christmas and got to work burning a Whistler Mountain trail map.

And what would Christmas break be without a Lord of the Rings marathon? We got through all three movies in record time.

We enjoyed a night with good friends. Who told these kids they could grow up so quickly?

While Jim and I were away, Ruth learned to make these paper Christmas trees. Jim–always looking for ways to improve something–took Ruth to Menards to buy spray paint in order to make the trees sparkle.

Peter skied with friends at Cascade Mountain in Wisconsin. It wasn’t Colorado, but it was still an opportunity to strap the skis on!

Ruth and I sewed matching pajama pants. Since there was no spare desk or table top, we sewed everything on the floor of her room. She made her own pants almost completely on her own.

Despite the lack of expertise and finesse of her tutor, I’d say she did a really good job.

In addition to sewing, Ruth was also busy dipping cake pops!

The kitchen was busy that day, as these two made and decorated cookies to give away. The irony of the project they chose: both of them gave up sugar beginning in December, so they didn’t allow themselves to eat their product.

Cookie perfection. Thankfully, the rest of us did NOT give up sugar in December.

Then came Christmas Eve. The table was set.

The guys put on their finest flannel.

It was a small group this year: just Dave and Judi and us.

But with Dave and Judi around, every party has life, no matter how small the party is. We FaceTimed Jake and Tiffany, and they announced that they are having a baby girl!

Christmas morning, we lit the center candle of the advent wreath, while Molly patiently waited for her presents.

She got to open her stocking first.

It was a laid-back morning, and we enjoyed the slow-paced time together.

Animals and all.

For the first time, Molly and I had company on our Christmas morning walk on the prairie path.

We headed into the city to celebrate Christmas with cousins and grandparents.

It was a Comfy Christmas,

a new-shoe Christmas,

with a little bit of Legos thrown in.

We were there for just a short time, but our days were full. We did a different hike every day and felt like we got to know the area well. Jim took out the drone a few times and captured some great footage.

We said goodbye to the warm sunny weather of Arizona and returned ready to face the Illinois winter!