Mariners Game Opening Day Christmas Present

Great Christmas present from Katie, I love baseball for sure.  Thank you Katie!

The National Anthem was so good!!!  

Pictures on a cell phone aren't the best but you get the idea.  Welcome Back Baseball!!!

Ichiro threw out the first pitch and there is a countdown in the stadium to his induction to the Hall of Fame. 

Dan Wilson and Ichiro

We saw a great game with two home runs.  The defense was really good.  Thanks again to Katie, what a thoughtful present!!!! Love you!!  Baseball is Back!!!

 

Schweitzer for the NOLA Gleason's

Michel, Kyle, Rivers, Landry, Coco, Gray and Kace skied on Tuesday at Schweitzer.  We came to their house in Idaho to share a Mexican feast so we could see them while they were in the Pacific Northwest.  Gray in her finest form.  

Rivers is getting tall for sure!

Cartwheels. 

The kids enjoyed their first day of skiing.  They had private lessons.  This is what they looked like on the way back to the house.  Fun but tired!!! 2 more days to ski!

It was great to see them and listen to their stories about learning to ski.  They loved it!!!  Mike, Rivers, Me Landry, Coco, Gray and Kace. 

Pretty sure when we rolled out of there they are all asleep within 30 minutes!!!  

 

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. 

 

Winterfest Chewelah 2025

3rd yearly trip to Winterfest in Chewelah!  The music was playing when we got there.  This is a small town with a small festival every winter.  It's good old fashion fun with lots of friendly people.  

The weather was pretty good for the time of year.  The snow had melted and it was in the 30's.  If you kept moving it was just right. 

Mike likes to check out every food stand.  BBQ chicken here. 

Not sure what this was but you can see Mike on the left. 

Crafts too. 

We tried to eat at a restaurant but the lines were long and the wait was long so we opted for a burger.  Quick and easy. It was actually really good. 

This was a show some young people put on with the snowy mountains as a backdrop. 

One reason we didn't want to wait for food was we wanted to see the sled dogs.  I thought the dogs might be pulling sleds but they weren't.  The owners did have a story time for kids to explain what the dogs do.  We didn't stay for that.  They were beautiful dogs and we learned a lot about what the dogs do just visiting with their owners. 

We took a little spin around the shops.  Last year they had the horses pulling skiers over jumps in this area.  They didn't do that this year which was disappointing.  It is so fun to watch.  Not sure why they didn't do that this year.  Maybe lack of snow?  

It was a fun outing!  It is now officially a tradition for us to do every year.  

As we left another band was playing.  A great day for sure.  Until next year!!! 

 The icing on the cake was the bald eagle we saw on the way home.  Isaiah 30:41! Read it. 

Hiking on Mt. Spokane, Finally

It's been awhile since I have been in the snow on Mt. Spokane.  Mike suggested we get out and do some snowshoeing or hiking.  Great idea for sure.  We went to our usual spot.  It was early afternoon on a Saturday.  The lot was full.  Ah, let's go back a few miles to another area and we did. It was a sunny day and the temperature was perfect.  We missed out on some of the sun because we were on a narrow path lined with trees. Here we go, up and up and up!

The creek that runs along the trail for a short time is down there.  We climbed up and were no longer following the creek. 

Gleasons 

 Obstacle number one.  A tree across the path!  

Holding up the log.  Just trying to help.  Keeping everyone safe!

Obstacle number two, up and over we went. There were more but none the were difficult to navigate. 

There's some sun!  That's Mike on the trail.  Neither one of us used snowshoes.  Most of the trail was packed down. 

More sun!

My coat is off and so is my hat!  You get warm hiking in the snow. 

Mighty Mike!

A snow tunnel created by the trees.  So beautiful. 

And we are done.  2.5 miles in the books.  I was very aware of the fact that I am somewhat out of shape.  There is nothing like being out in what God created for us to enjoy.  Nothing.   We stopped many times to just take it all in and thank God for the beauty around us.