Winter Wonderland

It was so nice to be in snowy Central Oregon again this year for Christmas. There's something about being surrounded by snow during the holidays that makes it feel even more festive :)

Out on a stroll in the snow with the doggies.

Brrrrr! Warming up by the fire after we returned.

We definitely took advantage of the cold weather by doing some fun, snowy activities. On Friday, while Brian went skiing with his cousin Josh, Doug, Bridg and her brother Brendan, Little Man and I went into Sunriver so that Emma could try ice skating for the first time.

Emma and her cousin Sammy, ice skating in Sunriver!


Wishing he could be out there, too. By the way he's cruising around lately, I'm sure he'll be out there in no time!

And then we lucked out with even more snow on Christmas as all of Brian's family joined my family in Sunriver for dinner. The boys played their own version of Snow Frisbee Golf while the rest of us snuggled up inside their warm cabin. I think the boys may have found a new tradition!

I know we are not in this pic, but still thought it was a great one to put in our blog! The Danners, Donaldsons and Beasleys outside their Sunriver cabin. The other pic I really wanted to get was of the snowpeople Karen and Lincoln built. They were the most creative snowpeople I have ever seen!

We were supposed to leave Sunday, but after realizing we would be going back home to the rain, we decided staying in the winter wonderland one more day was necessary. Plus, it gave us more time to hang out with Brian's cousins. And gave Brian and I another parent night out!

Brian's cousin Sammy, sister Michelle and I outside a new brewery in Bend.

Cousins Josh & Sammy, Ryan (yes, that's his real beard - trying to compete with Brian this year! Shortly after we got home that evening, the beard was gone!) & Michelle, Brian & I waiting for our table as we hung by the outside fire.