Schweitzer Skiing Adventure , It's Been a Few Years.

Kristin invited me to ski on Valentines Day at Schweitzer.  I hadn't been skiing in about 4 seasons and wondered if I could even do it.  Did I forget?  Part of me didn't even want to try.  I pretty much gave up on skiing because I would always go alone.  This was a chance to get back at it and have company.  I joined Kristin and Lucy.  Time to gear up. The Lathrops have a locker at Schweitzer. This was one of the few times I saw Lucy.  

God's creation, beautiful.

Kristin is ready and giving me the encouraging thumbs up. 

Here I go to the bunny hill just in case things didn't work out.  Kristin and Lucy joined me. I did fine and soon I headed up the hill. 

Another Speedy Lucy sighting! 

And here we are.  I did not forget how to ski but one thing was very apparent.  I was out of skiing shape. My legs got tired so quickly. Kristin hung with me and was patient with my stopping.  I kept telling her that she could go do her thing but she hung with her mom.  Sweet. 

It was a great day.  Some sun and some snow.  The temperature was just right.  Glorious!!  

I remembered why I love skiing so much.  

The end to a beautiful day with Kristin and Lucy. I did see Lucy at lunch. Thanks so much for inviting me and getting me back on the ski hill.  I loved it.  

When I walked in the door at home this was what was waiting for me.  Perfect ending to Valentines Day.  Thanks Mike, Kristin and Lucy for making my day so special.  Love you all so much. 

 

70th Birthday Song Written by Katie Fuller

From my daughters on my 70th birthday.  This brought tears to my eyes!  Here are the words to the song.

Jackie Gleason what can we say.  You are turning 70 years old today.  Birthdays are very special and we are very happy you are not mental.  You are turning 70 today, you are turning 70 today.  Born on a Wednesday in 1953.  That's when Jackie Lynn Kaminski came to be.  All aboard this Jackie train as we take a trip down memory lane. Growing up in the fads of the 60's, pink, orange, peace signs and all those hippies.  A true Beatle lover you loved them so much you even signed their album covers.  You are turning 70 today, you are turning 70 today.  Onward we go and life is getting wild on July 11th you had your first child.  Not quite done yet with a little persisting, baby #2 and you called her Kristin.  Then on May 30th you perfected the recipe and welcomed baby number me.  So many k's in this family. Keri, Kristin, Katie, Kyle and then there's Skeve. You are turning 70 today, you are turning 70 today.  Jackie fell in love with a man named Mike and they got married and road their motorbikes.  You are number one and on one can surpass, you survived a brain bleed and kicked cancer in the ass.  Worlds best teacher, you brightened up the school day but now you are retired so you can just do Bloomsdays.  You are 70 and your family has expanded.  You are a grandma and get to love all your grandkids.  You are turning 70 today, you are turning 70 today.  Hope today brings you satisfaction from all of us to you we love you Jackson.  
 

My daughters are the best!!!!  

Last Stop Roaming Around NYC

We had checked out of our hotel and had some extra time after Santaland.  We headed to Grand Central Station, 

A magnificent building and a huge station for transportation. 

After we visited Grand Central Station we got some food at an outdoor market in a park. Can't remember the name of the park but there was a famous fountain in the park.  Katie saw a fountain and assumed this was the famous one Keri had talked about. It wasn't but we got some pretty good laughs going about the fountain.  

That concludes the best Christmas present ever.  It still makes me tear up thinking about how Keri, Kristin and Katie blessed me.  All the planning that went into this.  Keri's agenda.  Everything was taken care of by my three daughters.  I just had to show up.  No words can describe this gift. I am blessed with the best daughters! Love them so much. 

Santaland Pictures with Santa Claus Saturday in New York City

Here we are on our last day in New York City.  Off to Macy's Santaland to get our picture taken with Santa.  Keri got up very early in the morning to get reservations for this.  She said the reservations sold out in about 3 minutes.  Good work Keri. Thank you!

Right on 34th Street.

There was a crowd to get in the store. This is a huge store.  9 floors!  

We are in! Lots of people and a huge store. This is a snapshot!

We had to head up the the 9th floor.  As we traveled up the escalators they changed. As we got higher up the escalators steps were wooden and so were the handrails.  A blast from the past that has been preserved. In line we go!

We wove through Santaland and experienced all the Christmas decorations along the way.  

Mrs. Claus was in Santaland.  

This is a tiny model including the Palace Theatre.  On the marquee it shows that the Miracle on 34th Street is playing. 

Well, I think this is my favorite picture. 

The world's best elf.  We are at the end of Santaland and our picture with Santa is the next thing.  I listened to this elf talk to the child ahead of us and she kept the child engaged in conversation for several minutes.  I mentioned that I wondered how the elf would keep conversation going with us as we waited for Santa, we are adults after all. She had no problem with us.  The best elf ever. 

And here we are! Our picture with Santa.  It took some effort and time to actually get this picture.  

We had to wait in line to pay for the pictures.  It was a little painful. I just had to have one.  We waited and waited and waited.  Three cashiers for a lot of people.  It was very slow. Keri and Katie were pretty patient waiting for me (I think) because I had to have the picture. Was it worth it?  Just look at this picture.  It was worth it.  

Another adventure!  One right after another.  This day was the only day the weather was sketchy.  Drizzly rain for a few hours.  Off we go the the Statue of Liberty.  

This ferry held a whole lot of people! 

So exciting! There she is, there she is!

We have arrived.  This is the back of the Statue of Liberty. 

Steps or elevator.  I chose the elevator!  Katie is helping secure the Statue of Liberty to the base. 

Here is the explanation of the bolts you see in the picture above. 

We just couldn't get enough pictures of her. 

Check out the size of the people in this picture.  That gives you an idea of how huge the statue is! 

We just can't forget Kristin!

It took all three of us to keep the statue upright and attached to the base. Huge bolts!

Next stop Ellis Island! Katie got a new hat! 

Ellis Island coming up!

And the sun is coming out! 

We have arrived at the place where many, many immigrants entered the United States! The Registry Room. 

There was a place where you could look people up to see if they entered the United States through Ellis Island.  I thought my grandfather, Ludwig Kaminski, came to the United States through Ellis Island from Poland.  We couldn't find him.  I know he came to the United States from Poland.  A relative shared that information with me and showed me documents which I no longer have.  He just didn't come to the United States through Ellis Island.  

Now to Ground Zero where the attack on the United States occurred on 9-11. Sobering. 

The tall building in this picture is the new World Trade Center. 

After we left Ground Zero we found a place to eat and watch the United States in their soccer match.  We went to a mall and it had an outdoor skating rink.  Unique. 

I don't really follow soccer but it was fun to watch.  The United States won 1-0 and I don't remember who they were playing.  I told you I don't follow soccer.