McCall Winter Carnival/Brundage Ski Resort - Feb 2, 2008

We had a weekend free, so we decided to go skiing at Brundage Resort in McCall, ID and visit my grandma. It was the same weekend as the end of the McCall Winter Carnival, so we wandered around McCall a little bit to see the snow sculptures. It was a snowy snowy couple weeks, so some of the sculptures were covered w/snow, but some were still very very good. My favorite - Yosemite Sam!

James is a Pilot! January 16, 2008

PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE!!

For an airplane single-engine rating. A person who applies for a private pilot certificate with an airplane category and single-engine class rating must log at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation, and the training must include at least--
(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single-engine airplane;
(2) 3 hours of night flight training in a single-engine airplane that includes--
(i) One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distance; and
(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the
traffic pattern) at an airport.
(3) 3 hours of flight training in a single-engine airplane on the control and maneuvering of an
airplane solely by reference to instruments, including straight and level flight, constant
airspeed climbs and descents, turns to a heading, recovery from unusual flight attitudes,
radio communications, and the use of navigation systems/facilities and radar services
appropriate to instrument flight;
(4) 3 hours of flight training in preparation for the practical test in a single-engine airplane,
which must have been performed within 60 days preceding the date of the test; and
(5) 10 hours of solo flight time in a single-engine airplane, consisting of at least--
(i) 5 hours of solo cross-country time;
(ii) One solo cross-country flight of at least 150 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop
landings at a minimum of three points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a
straight-line distance of at least 50 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing
locations; and
(iii) Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in
the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.

Pass the FAA written and oral tests and the FAA check ride.

CONGRATULATIONS JAMES!!

Nativity Photo Shoot - Oct/Nov 2007

A year ago, my Mom expressed interest in having her grandchildren dress up and create a nativity photo. It was only a wish until I 'mapped' out the nativity scriptures and cast the actors into characters. Mom went to work on costuming. My Dad, James, and my brothers (& in laws) helped with props and locations and the occasional stunt shot (throwing angels up into the air). My sisters (& in laws) were the main managers of all the actors. Three photo shoot days (& lots of fruit snacks) and many many costume changes and hair styles, the end result is the nativity story in pictures.

Top Row: Aspen (angel) - Tucker (Joseph) - Hannah (Mary)

Middle Row: Stella, Tyler, Carter (Shepherds) - Emma, McKayla, Hallie (Maji)

Bottom Row: Zoe, Christy, Bree (Sheep)

JED & MARIA'S KIDS:

Tucker (Joseph)


Hannah (Mary / Angel)


Hallie (Magi / Angel)

Stella (Shepherd / Angel)

Zoe (Sheep / Angel)

KURT & CARLEE'S KIDS
Tyler (Shepherd / Inn Keeper)


Christy (Sheep / Angel)



DEVEN & KIM'S KIDS

McKayla (Magi / Elizabeth / Angel)

Carter (Shepherd / Roman Soldier)

Bree (Sheep / Angel)

CLAY & KRISTEN'S KIDS

Emma (Magi / Angel)

Aspen (Angel / Sheep)

Annual Christmas Tree Hunt - November 24, 2007

It has become a family tradition to go into the mountains and 'hunt' down our Christmas Tree during Thanksgiving Weekend. We play in the snow, choose the perfect tree, swim in the heated pool, and eat leftover turkey sandwhiches.

When we were young, we all fit in the Big Blue Van. Now it takes 5 vehicles! Of course, instead of one tree, we are picking out many!

Christy & Carlee, Kurt and Tyler have their tree.

Mom & Dad choose their tree (right at dark).

Jessi & James at the pool.

Ready for Christmas!

Thanksgiving - November 22, 2007

We celebrated Turkey Day at my parents. James made two beautiful pies. We had a beautiful meal. Of course, James is often treated as "Uncle Jungle Jim" - Tyler loved walking on the ceiling!

James baking his pies.

The beautiful end results (before dessert).

James & Tyler

Hazards of Backcountry Skiing - November 16, 2007

James went with my brothers (Jed & Kurt) to ski Pilot Peak. They had a wonderful time, good snow on the slopes and safe travel. However, on the last run, skiing down the ROAD to the car, James took a couple diggers and a rock to the elbow! The boys went straight to their friend who is a vet for stitches. James even got antibiotics in a little container with a paw print on top!

James

Kurt

Jed

Building the Jump

James Throws a Grab!

Stitches

Exploring Idaho - September 29, 2007

We played hookie from chores this weekend and spent all day Saturday exploring. I wanted to go to the Bruneau Sand Dunes and play, but it was so so so windy! We stopped and climbed one dune, but we had to keep our faces turned away from the wind to protect our eyes! That was not very much fun and we didn't pack any goggles for playing in the desert, so we went exploring. We followed the signs to the Bruneau Canyon overlook. From there, we wandered our way to Silver City. Silver City is an old mining town that still has a summer population and caters to tourists until they close down for the winter. We chatted with the volunteer fire department and they said that people do live there in the winter, but very few. It was fun to wander the streets and see the catholic church (already closed for the season) and the old hotel. We took a different dirt road out of town and ended up in Oregon (barely) on our way back home.

Bruneau Canyon Overlook sign.

Throwing rocks into Bruneau Canyon.

The Volunteer Fire Department vehicles in Silver City.