JANUARY ROSES

Yesterday was a beautiful day of 60s F (15 C). I was raking leaves when I got distracted by the roses blooming. Beautiful!

 

 

 

 

 

I do miss many things in Finland. 

White Christmas,
skiing under the stars,
snow lanterns,
crisp air,
sun glistening on the snow
...the list goes on and on. 

 

But roses blooming in January is not so bad either!

 

I just finished reading President Monson's talk titled: "Consider the Blessings". 
I love this line:
"I have found that, rather than dwelling on the negative,
if we will take a step back and consider
the blessings
in our lives, including seemingly small, sometimes overlooked blessings,
we can find greater happiness." 

 

And so I keep missing the white winters in Finland ...
yet enjoy my blooming roses in January here in Nevada.

And I feel so blessed that I have had both
in my life.

SNOW

  When you live in the desert, snow becomes a novelty.

 

This past weekend we took a trip to Brianhead Ski Resort.

We stopped at Cedar City, UT for a lunch, before heading up the mountain.

 

Cadar City had snow.  Niko said: "Can I please touch the snow.  It has been such a long time since I have felt snow. I can not even remember how it feels like!"

 

Growing up in Finland snow was plentiful.  My own children live in such a different climate.  When I saw them playing in the snow this weekend, it brought back such good, and fun childhood memories.

 

The weather was chilly.  First night when we got to Brianhead, we rented skis and went night skiing.  After two hours we were all frozen solid. 

I was not sure if this weekend in the snow was even a good idea. 

 

However, when we woke up next morning the sun was shining and the weather was perfect, just around the freezing.  We returned to slopes and had wonderful time. 

 

 

 

 

Jason and Niko sitting in the ski lift

 

Kai getting ready to figure out snow boarding...and he did!

 

Maija is a lean, mean, skiing machine.

While waiting for Jason, Niko and Kai to be done with skiing (and snow boarding for Kai), Markus and Maija were singing Christmas Carols at the lodge, just to pass time.  After twenty minutes Jason showed up with Niko and Kai. I told them: "Finally!".  All the sudden people around us were complementing Markus and Maija, telling how they enjoyed them singing, how well they were harmonizing..and my favorite...how impressed they were with Markus, singing with his little sister.  I felt so proud of my awesome kids, who are such fun to hang out with!

 

Our good friends came that night to spend the last night, and the next day with us. 

The kids played and had fun...

Notice the giant icicle!

 

fun like watching movies and having cereal at 3 am...

 

 

but they still had energy to go tubing the next morning.

 

 

 

 

 

Good friends, fresh air, family and fun.

Year 2013 is looking mighty good.

 

P.S.  Tubing was a Christmas present from mummo and pappa from Finland.  Thank you.  It was the best!  It is lazy person's sledding experinece.  We got hoisted up on top of the mountain,  sitting on an innertube and then we slid down using the same tube. 

 It was a blast!

 

PUDDING...GLOWING

End of the year.

Last day...last night.

We gathered as a family to celebrate the end of the year...with full, thankful hearts. 

 

It has been another wonderful year...sometimes challenging, sometimes exhausting, sometimes
sad...but always...oh, so good.

Who knows what 2013 will bring...but we are ready, and excited to find out...one day at a time.

Grandma Gamett's traditional chocolate pudding face painting was a big hit amongst the kids.
 

 

  

 

 

 

 
 

Kids had fun with buildable glow sticks.
 

Now you see me.

Now you don't.

Good Bye
Year 2012.

FAMILY PHOTO SHOOT= CHAOS

We had our threaded family photo shoot yesterday. 

It included grandparents, parents, and grandkids - 25 people all together.

Jen White did fantastic job, and made it as painless as possible.  Here are some Behind the Scenes Shots.