January De-Cluttering

Like everyone else in the universe, I have tried to start the new year with some major clutter patrol. It is a daunting project and we really don't have THAT much stuff. I finally went through the boxes and boxes of school stuff I've saved since the boys started preschool and managed to get rid of a lot of things. Some of the special pieces of art work are now on display in the laundry room, and the boxes are finally labeled and seem to contain a reasonable amount of artwork, writing projects, etc. .
However, as you can see here, The Wall of Legos needs some help. I am perfectly fine having the boys Lego creations out on display in the family room. But, we (I mean "they") clearly need to tidy that corner of the room a bit.

The (sometimes) magical power of skiing

Skiing with kids can be a challenge. We've come a long way in terms of the boys being self sufficient, but inevitably there's always some sort of struggle with getting boots on/tracking down missing gloves and having a positive attitude (not a problem with Jackson, but sometimes an issue with younger members of the household). But when we get out there, get on the first chairlift and have a moment to breathe in the mountain air and take in the view around us, the stress/frustration/ grumpiness usually starts to fade. And, if by chance you've timed it just right, you catch the sky getting ready for a gorgeous sunset. We typically ski early, but on Saturday we decided to have a leisurely morning at home so we didn't get started until about 2:30. The pay off was the parking lot wasn't crowded, the lift lines were short and we saw one of the most amazing sunsets ever on Mt. Hood. None of the photos here is from the sunset...these are from the following day when we went to watch a ski race and did some sledding. The sun was so bright Jackson couldn't open his eyes all the way for a photo. (FYI, that's his friend Reese whose family also skis and spends time with us on the mountain).
Happy Monday!

Some photos from Christmas

Christmas Eve, the big day, up at the cabin and a few pics from a short hike we did today.
What's missing are pictures from a week of skiing because it was raining, snowing and just not good conditions for bringing the camera to the mountain. However, the last skiing day was in 15 inches of new fluffy powder...just awesome and much appreciated after some challenging weather earlier in the week.
Happy New Year!

A few scenes from holiday preparations...

All I want for Christmas...

is my two front teeth! The other front toth finally fell out..just in time for the holidays!

Three things that have happened around here...

We got a Chirstmas tree.

Someone decided it's fun to freeze random objects.

Someone got BRACES!!!!!

Scenes from a Santa Fe Thanksgiving

Lots of laughs and great family time. And wonderful SUN! Notice Jim squinting in the photo with me...our eyes took a while to adjust to that bright sunshine. Loved every minute!!

Snow!

A few scenes from playing at the cabin today. We were surprised by the amount of snow that fell up there last night! It was a winter wonderland!

2 Boys Leaf Raking Service

Call now for all your leaf raking needs. Will work for hot chocolate!

Fall bike ride

It cracks me up to see the boys different approaches to attire...we have sweatpants and rainboots on one side and shorts and tennis shoes on the other.
Jackson actually broke down and put on pants this morning.Maybe because it was about 40 degrees!

A super easy delicious recipe

Homesick Texan Carnitas


Adapted, just barely, from The Homesick Texan Cookbook



3 pounds boneless pork shoulder or pork butt, cut into 2-inch cubes

1/2 cup orange juice

1/4 cup lime juice (from about 2 to 3 limes)

4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon Kosher salt, plus more to taste



Corn tortillas, for serving plus

Avocado slices, chopped cilantro and fixings of your choice (we love pickled jalapenos or onions, lime wedges and a bit of slaw)



Place the pork in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot. Add the orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cumin, salt and enough water to just barely cover the meat. Bring the pot to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer uncovered for two hours. Don’t touch the meat.



After two hours, increase the heat to medium-high and while occasionally stirring and turning the pieces, continue to cook for about 45 minutes, or until all of the liquid has evaporated, leaving only the rendered pork fat. Let it sizzle in this fat long enough to brown at the edges, turning pieces gently (they’ll be eager to fall apart), only as needed.



When pork has browned on both sides, it’s ready. Adjust seasonings to taste and serve on warmed tortillas with fixings.

Halloween party and a little flag football.

The photo doesn't capture the "costumes" that well, but I was a flight attendant and Jim was a ramp worker. He even carried lighted cones to direct airplanes.
Sean is #3 in the football picture. Today's game will be a bit soggy, not like the beautiful sunny day we had last week!

Pumpkin patch and a ski swap

We found the best pumpkin patch last week! It had a ton of great activities for older kids...the boys loved the apple cannon and apple sling shot. There was also a zip line, obstacle course, spooky dark maze and a huge jumping thing called a bouncy pillow.
Then we came home, Jackson went to soccer practice, I hosted book club, we got up for a swim meet , hit the ski swap (that last pic isJackson and his friend Reese trying on some super cool hats) and finally went out for dinner and ice cream.

What's been happening here

School pictures
Walk + Bike to School Day (which I'm in charge of at the boys school)
Soccer, football, swimming
Wordstock and meeting the authors of the book Wildwood (pics to follow)
Making butternut squash, carrot and ginger soup
Making pumpkin chocolate chip muffins
Losing the front light of my car (it just fell off)
Buying pumpkins
Finally returning to masters swim practice at 5:30am
Finishing the book Left Neglected (it was okay..Stones From the River was better)

Fall is here!