We are so lucky to have such wonderful family and friends, and to be able to visit them in our off season. Highlights, let's see: Mom and I made our first turkey together and it was fabu!, also my first Thanksgiving home since high school, the sunsets at Bodega Bay, Gracie standing on a huge burl on a giant redwood, the cumin spiced lamb curry with mint sauce, and hanging with Grandma & Grandpa drinking his home brew. In Tennessee: our expedition in the Smokies and the bear sightings, Isaac's Superman suit, that yummy steak dinner (Thank you Grandma Koehlinger!), disco dancing video clips at the mirror maze, and the card games with muscadine. Atlanta rocked the house with the best food in the world, literally, including the best apple pie in the world on the way to the lake house, the view from Brian's lake house, accidentally pulling ashore about four seconds before it became pitch black, the bloody mary making competition that I barely won, and having my face hurt from laughing so hard all week long.
If you were wondering how much snow we've had, here it is. I think the best measure is always our kitchen window, or Dave's lower back after shoveling. Notice that our lake isn't frozen yet, and it usually doesn't until late January. Also note the bears that I think I have pictures of almost all of you with in the summertime. It's back to work for us, taking pictures on the mountain. We've been open the last two weekends, and will work from Christmas on through January 12th. We rotate between taking skiing pictures up on an intermediate ski run, to pictures of the kids on the bunny hill, to portraits, and selling them in the office. It's gotten down to -12F at night, which means that even the daytime is very chilly, especially if there's wind. Today is the first sunny day in a while, so I thought I'd take some scenery pics and post them while I can. I hope all of you are well and warm. We miss you and wish you the best Christmas ever, and a joyous New Year celebration!
