We are back from a magical Christmas in Lake Tahoe. We all had so much fun and Edison wants to go back to the "Christmas house." He loved spending time with his Ma and Pa, Opa and Uncle Mike, and David, Katy, Nye and Ruby. While there we had gorgeous weather including several feet of snow on Christmas day that kept us nicely snowed in. I often wonder what his early memories will be, I know this will be one of them.


Greeting Ma and Pa at the airport. Now the fun can begin!

We got caught by a sudden snow storm on the way to Tahoe. Luckily we were prepared with chains. Now just to figure out how to get them on ...

Before David and crew arrived the boys took advantage of a day on the slopes. They went to Heavenly and had a blast (and kept all bones intact!)

We had a Tarheel themed Christmas. Here are the kids showing off their gear.

Martin, Nye and Pa built this great snowman. We were all thinking how much we wish Uncle Gordon could be there to see it.

Edison snuggling with his Ma and Pa.

Martin's family plays an Austrian card game called Jassen, here is Edison showing a budding interest. If he's anything like his mom he'll soon be pestering them to play all of the time!

David and Katy enjoying a quiet moment.

Edison and Opa show off some matching snow gear.

Edison was initially very apprehensive about the snow but he quickly warmed up to it. By the end he loved being able to plop down in his snow suit and was really enjoying it.

Enjoying the snow...

Michael cooked a great Weiner Schnitzel. When the Ruefs are together Monika usually does the cooking but since she wasn't with us Michael stepped in. Now he's going to have to do this every year, it was great!! He even got some help from Nye and Opa.

We woke up to a very white Christmas and it continued to snow, heavily, all day. It was breathtaking.

Edison checking out the secret cabinet where Santa hid his goodies.

"Say cheese!"

I think his favorite toy was his remote control fire truck.

The day after Christmas we went tubing. This is where Edison fell in love with the snow. Here he is with Pa ...

and with Dada, Uncle Mike, and Opa.

Pa took Edison on a tubing run but they got stuck.

I have to say we all got a chuckle out of watching Pa trying to get down the hill with the tube AND Edison.

I love this picture. Edison didn't know I was taking it and this was the look on his face as he was watching Katy come up the hill. He loves his family.

On our way out of town Edison, Pa and Martin rode the gondola up the mountain at Heavenly. I chickened out at the last minute but blamed it on my pregnancy and concern about whether or not it was safe. To be honest that was just a really, really high mountain :)

We hope everyone had a Happy Holiday!