The last time I entered a post was July 2006. Then Chad filled in for a few entries. (But that's been over a year.) Most of my blog became his creation till he decided to put his efforts to better use and created his own blog. Which is quite something, I might add.

Since it's been so long, I don't know where to start. But last weekend we had...

A Fun Ski Trip

We left on Thursday night to drive to Wisp Ski Resort area. In a snow storm. Oops. We meant to get ahead of the storm, but ended up right in the thick of it. And driving ahead of the helpful snow plows. But we got there, a couple hours later than planned, but all in one piece. We were staying at a house owned by the uncle of some friends. Between our 2 families, we had 8 kids. 8 kids - and Kayleigh was the oldest. It felt so nice to not feel guilty when our kids were a bit crazy. Their kids were just as nuts. So everyone was happy. Here's the cabin...

The skiing was fun, so far as I could tell. Heather (the other Mom) and I watched from the car or helped get gear on. The first day, Friday, was very foggy. I had to laugh when they first set off down the hill (there's a parking lot at the top of the lifts, so they could ski down from there). Chad had Melanie, who wouldn't ski without being held on to. The other Dad had his 5 year old, who was skiing for the second time and wouldn't let his Dad let go of him. His other daughter was more courageous, but also only her second time. And then Kayleigh and Thomas. Off they went to head down the mountain. It didn't look like they would be able to make it to the bottom before nightfall. I was laughing.

But it all turned out fine. Melanie and their 5 year old came back soon to the cars. The others lasted longer. We left with the youngest kids and spent the rest of our day back at the cabin. They 5 of them kept skiing.

The second day, it was clear, but being Saturday, more crowded. For the most part, I think all the kids had a great time. Mine loved having other kids to play with. They got a little crazy at the cabin, and there were always some funny stories going on.

[for a larger view watch this slideshow]

Chad tried making some movies. Here's one of EV.

We drove home Sunday, stopping in Cumberland for church. We love Cumberland. They treated our kids like gold. Kayleigh tells me that including them, there were 14 children in Primary. I attended Sunday School with Chad for maybe the first time since the last time we were in Cumberland.

Stopped for a look around the trains and bridges.

[slideshow]

Now on to This Week

Kayleigh and Thomas had exciting basketball games yesterday. I missed Kayleigh's game (Relief Society Stake meeting - a very good one) but heard the news after. Kayleigh took 3 (Chad says 4) shots. And one was really close to going in. She's getting better and better every game and handling the ball more and more.

I should mention, Kayleigh is the shortest on the team. Probably the youngest (some a couple years older than her). Once she was put against this girl who was, and I'm not exaggerating, twice her height. And she did good. The girl couldn't reach Kayleigh's low dribbling. It's looked like a cartoon.

I did take Thomas to his game. He did something his Dad taught him - he blew around the line of guys waiting at the half court line and drove to the basket. The reason they were all waiting at half court is one of the league's rules. They can't defend till the half court line. So that turns out to be where all the defending boys wait. In a line, somewhat. Not such a good defensive plan, but it tends to intimidate the boy bringing down the ball. The boy would usually stop and try to figure out how to get a pass around the line of defenders. But Thomas was playing more aggressive and handling the ball more. This time he took the ball down the court more and didn't hesitate, but blew around the clustered boys whenever he could. Chad had been coaching Thomas on this, letting the boys be a shield as he'd drive around them. He even said to me after the game, "I did what Dad taught me."Once his defender fell down as Thomas faked him out and Thomas attempted a great lay-up. But took about 4 steps and it didn't count. Fun game to watch.