Skiing

Snowboarding, Luge, Figure Skating, Skiing; watching these events this week has really put us into the Winter Olympic Spirit. Since the kids are out of school for winter break, we have been able watch the games late into the night. To experience a little of that first hand, yesterday we spent the day on the slopes less than 2 hours from us at the Cataloochee Ski Ranch. With all the snow this winter, the conditions were near perfect with all lifts and runs open. The kids had a great time and are getting really comfortable on the slopes. The only thing that would have made the day better is friends to share it with. Unfortunately, the cousins and our church friends are in school this week and none of our homeschool friends were able to join us.
The temp on the mountain was 13 degrees with strong gusting winds. It was freezing! In order for the kids to be able to stay out for long periods of time, we had to buy neoprene face masks. The kids joked that they looked liked bank robbers, but it did the job of keeping their faces warm. I noticed most of the skiers and snowboarders had similar things to protect their faces.

Snow day #2

Total snow accumulations seem to be just over 4 ". Enough to cover everything completely and be beautiful. I am inside thawing out while the kids are sledding, rolling, and trying to make a snowman. It's a little powdery so I don't think they are being very successful on that front. Here's some pics from this morning:

On a snowy walk with my Valentine

Allan by the Enoree River

Em and Me!

Mags and Will love to romp in the snow

Bob! by Will

Emily trying to sled

A final shot of Maggie

SNOW!

All winter the Gilmer family has been waiting and hoping for snow. Living at the base of the Smokies means that we often get teased by forecast snow that only falls just north of us. While Asheville and Flat Rock are probably grateful this southern storm is mostly passing them by we are rejoicing that it is far enough north to include us.

Maggie, our golden retriever, particularly likes snow. It makes her just a wee bit hyper and crazy. It's kind of funny for a Filipino born dog to love cold and snow so much. This afternoon she stood at the back door barking at the flakes falling until I let her out to scamper around in the downfall. A few weeks ago we had a minor ice storm and she spent the afternoon out with the kids sledding down the steep hill in our side yard. Even when the kids were finished, she continued to try and slide down on her belly.

After about 1 1/2 hours, we already have an inch and snow is expected to continue until the morning. While we won't get near the amounts that the mid-Atlantic states have gotten this past week, we are hoping for 6-8 inches. That will probably be a bit too much to expect.

For now, I am just sitting by the window watching the big flakes fill up my deck while listening to my new favorite album by Sidewalk Prophets. Too bad the large flakes don't show up in this picture.

Maggie is passed out by the fireplace with the gas logs burning. She's probably dreaming of the big fluffy white stuff.

I love winter! Got to go play in the snow with Will!

Updated Pictures:

These pictures were taken just after 5pm. The clinic closed so Allan came home from work while we were outside. By 8:00pm we had at least 3" and it has continued to snow all evening. The kids can't wait to get out again in the morning! I'm sure we will have more pics tomorrow.

Maggie loves to stick her face down into the snow and push it around.

I have no idea what she's doing.

Emily in front of the new house.

Christmas Performances

This year the kids have been involved in some extracurricular musical activities.

Will began playing the trumpet through BACH Festival Choir and Band, a homeschool group here in Greenville. He has really taken off and his band director says he has natural talent. In December, he had his first concert of Christmas songs. Here are a few pictures of that night:

Just before performing and he's not nervous at all

Playing Jingle Bells!

Emily is still playing the flute, but not taking formal lessons. She has been showcasing her musical talent by playing in the hand bell choir at church and singing with an all girls choir, Vox Angeli. In December the Vox Angeli Singers performed 2 evenings at an annual Medieval dinner feast called The Madrigal. Emily loves singing with these girls which includes her cousin Beth, and particularly loved dressing up for the Madrigal Feast!

Both kids have more performances scheduled for the spring.

The Vox Angeli Singers

Emily and her cousin Beth

Emily squared

Emily and one of her best friends, Emily

2 Moms and a Minivan

In mid-December, Allan and I made a major purchase cementing our decision to remain in the US for the next few years....we bought a house. Allan has taken a job at a new clinic opened by the Greenville Hospital System and we will be remaining here for the time being. So 9 days before Christmas, my sister-in-law, Chris helped me begin moving from the rental house to the new house. She came up with the clever name of our moving expedition, a play on 2 Men and a Truck. Since we didn't have bunches of stuff to move, we rented a UHAUL and hired a couple of guys from church to help us move the big stuff. We are just beginning to get settled and looking for furniture. Just for the record, I don't recommend moving the week before Christmas! I have lots I want to blog about from the last few months, but time marches on and I probably won't. For now we are busy finishing up the house and continuing homeschooling. Thanks Chris and everyone else who helped with the move!