Welcome 2008!

It has become a tradition to spend our New Year at the family cabin. The Cabin holds such significance in our lives, it was the place of our engagement and wedding and the first place we traveled with the Beans. Back in July when they were three months old we were excited and worried about the venture we were undertaking. It was a smashing trip and as the New Year drew closer we discussed taking them again for the annual winter trip.

Well, we decided it was a go and it proved to be a very wonderful thing for our family. The snow coverage was just right for beauty but not inconvenience. The temperatures were cold, but we had the right gear. And the boys, well, they are just always the best. Now that they are mobile and so much more active, we set up Baby Central, gated off the woodstove and brought a ridiculous amount of toy entertainment. Of course, they preferred the VCR from 1982 and the various new wooden surfaces of the coffee tables dotting the area. They also really liked the barstools, likely because the seats were at the perfect height to knock them out as they pulled to standing.

Tim was lucky to have the time between holidays off and it was the first time we were together as a family since our July trip. It is rare that Tim and I are ever really alone with the boys due to our unique living situation, and though being away means there are no extra hands to take one or give us a break, it really means so much to me to be with my boys, able to focus on them and experience family in this way. Just today, right before I sat to wrote this I was in the nap room with the three of them, unable to sleep, so I just watched the three most important guys in my life in repose.

There were no snowboarding adventures or nights spent with the locals in one of the many bars that pepper the small town (what else are you gonna’ do on snowy night after snowy night?). But you know what? That is just fine. We adults got in a few games of Boggle, a game we dug out of the closet with instructions intact….though the paper is yellowing. We had a Guinness or two, barbequed our traditional lamb, took a few snowshoe hikes and just hung out. I spent more time in the kitchen than I have in ages, making No Knead Bread (sweet lord, that is a great recipe) and baby food.

All in all, it was the perfect way to welcome 2008. 2007 has been a pivotal time in our lives, bringing our boys into our world, altering our world. I will always reflect on the year past with amazement and a sigh of relief as we made it through the first part of parenting. Yes, I know there is so much more to come. That is why 2008 looks so bright. I know there will be so many things to experience as we continue on the path of family and parenthood.

I have enjoyed reading about everyone else's holiday season and want to wish you all a wonderful 2008. Happy New Year!

Little side note: Talk about good timing. We are home now and the Sierras are expecting 3-4 feet of snow starting tonight. Whew!