Ring in 2011 with Family!

About 3 years ago, I was making a similar post about our weekend in Trout Lake. But that was with 3 less nieces and nephews! Basically, the Millers INVADED the Rummel Lodge to enjoy some white stuff! I love it! Now that we've done it twice...it's a new tradition!!!

Tobin & I even experienced an entire night with a preview to parenthood. We stopped by sister's house in Salem, and took their son Porter with us up to Trout Lake. Porter was such a trooper for us. He knew his parents weren't there, but he didn't cry, he kept on his regular schedule, and slept through the night! I'd like to take credit, but I know I owe it to his great parents and Porter's easy-going personality.

Anyways, we had lots of fun over the weekend. I took some photos. Ironically, almost entirely of the kiddos. We laughed together, got all bundled up, went outside and played in the snow (using various forms of cross country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and snowmobiling), ate together, laughed together some more, and repeated!

Cousin love.

My VERY pregnant sister admiring the feat. These were some of Tobin's old toys. This was quite a fun thing for the kids to try and stack/balance.

Bundle up it's 10 degrees outside!

Packed and ready to go. A kid's got to go prepared!

Tobin started hauling Kate in the sled. But when she saw Mommy she kept crying until Mom climbed into the sled with her. So Tobin towed them both! He was like an amazing Alaskan Husky Mushing.

Zoey was our little trooper. She kept going, despite her tiny little strides. My kind of girl!

Grace and Benjamin on the hard snow in 8 degree weather!

Gracie's turn hauling Zoey and Porter!

I kept thinking of the song, "I get knocked down, but I get up again. You're never gonna get me down."

I wish I captured Zoey's face when Grace had nearly pulled her up the sledding hill and let go of the rope. Zoey almost when down backwards. It was a classic "fear of death." Kind of look. But then she laughed, as if to say, "I loved that feeling...do it again!" Dare devil!

I think this was Porter's first taste of snow. He loved it!

Next year it will be all 4 of them going down together!

Ready to go for a ride!

I wish I had some of the photos my brother took of the kids driving the snowmobiles, etc. So much fun. I love getting to do fun, new things with the kids. We even laid on the living room floor one night and did the "Ho, Ho, Ho" game. It's where you lay your head on each others stomachs and try to say Ho, Ho in a sequence and do it without laughing. Your head bobs up and down and it's nearly impossible not to laugh. Makes you feel alive!

Snowmobiling!

Well, every year it's Rummel tradition to go snowmobiling on Christmas Day. Unfortunately, this year due to mechanical difficulty and weather conditions our Christmas Day ride was 1 day late, and a bit modified.

After Tobin and Darrol worked to get at least 3 machines running...we left for a quick trail/road ride. About 5 minutes out, Tobin noticed his machine was somewhat sluggish as if the brake was on, and the brake light sure enough was constantly on. So instead of giving up, I rode double with Tobin, and Darrol took the old machine (that can't break trail). So Tobin broke trail as I precariously hung onto the back of Tobin and/or the machine....quite interesting when you have snow flying at your face while staring straight at a butt! I even fell off the back of the machine, and Tobin didn't even notice right away, so I had to huff it, in some DEEP snow, and eventually my knight in shining armour came and gave me a lift! It was beautiful snow, lots of work to break trail with two people on a machine, but lots of fun! There were times we were riding and the snow was so deep my knees were brushing against the snow, while sitting on the machine!

Unfortunately, this seemed to be most of our experience with snowmobiles this year.

Tobin tired out from breaking trail!

Christmas Day!

Well, our Christmas began with...no power! Yes, sometime in the middle of the night we lost all power. My mother-in-law (Marty) awoke and helped Santa with his duties and made a nice toasty fire in the fireplace (to keep us warm). Thankfully, around 9:30am, the power came back on (we were especially grateful since we had to cook a Turkey dinner for other friends that were coming over)! We opened stockings, had breakfast, and then gifts. It was a nice simple and fun time together. We praise the Lord for coming and being born here on earth!

In the afternoon, Tobin and Darrol worked on trying to get snow machines running. They were successful with one, but there is still one out of commission. Marty and I relaxed, cleaned and prepared for Christmas dinner.

For dinner, we were joined by the Rubesh Family (they are missionaries to Sri Lanka, here on furlow) and two brothers (who are family friends of the Rubeshes), from Switzerland- Nils and Sven. It was good food and great times. We played Cranium together. The team I was playing with took quite a large beginning lead, but got some hard "word worm" questions. I now will remember how to spell "subpoena" (even though I just used spell check to double check it!). ;) Anyways, I think our team was the most lively, despite not winning. Then we had two lively rounds of Phone Pictionary...quite hilarious if you have never played-if you want a good laugh just play this game!

We stayed up till midnight! Then it was off to bed because the basketball players had to get up at 6am!!! (Tues and Fridays guys from Trout Lake play "Old Geezer Ball" at 6am. Tobin and I love to join them while we are here). I still am as aggressive as ever on defense!

"The Box"

We needed a shelf for all our entertainment equipment, and well, in good Rummel fashion my husband and father-in-law decided they would build one! They are more than capable of building houses, but I think furniture is an entirely different realm. This project has (as expected) had its twists and turns, but overall they are making good progress (a bit slower than they would like), but as always, it should turn out to be quite the nice shelf, which they have endeared "The Box." I'll have to post more photos when it is done (hopefully an all-nighter won't have to be done before we leave to get it finished). Then I get the lovely job of staining it once we get it to California!

Winter Wonderland!

Well, this Christmas for many in the NW has been cold, snowy, and just plain unusual! But here in Trout Lake they are used to the snow and we are loving the weather! Sunday Tobin and I snowmobiled to church (where can you do that???). Then this morning I went cross country skiing for an hour. Overall, it's just fun to look outside and enjoy the beauty, and the continual work to keep the driveway clean and cars defrosted.

I think that icicle is taller than I am!

Marty and I cross country skiied to a friends house (the Rubeshes) to make sure the water and such was still working well.

In the Jonah Bus...going carolling!

Winter Wonderland!