Truckee Trip!

Over New Year's weekend we were part of a youth ski trip with our church, Calvary North Bay to Truckee, CA (the coldest town in the whole state according to my friend, Lauren, at work). There were 15 people (16 counting baby boy Evans) who went- made up of youth, leaders, and some college- age kids. I went against the advice of my doctor...he was concerned since he's had several patients in the past who traveled around 34 weeks and then went into pre-term labor while they were out of town. Thankfully our son wasn't ready yet, and didn't get any ideas about surprising us early...now just watch him be late!

Here is a picture of the snow on the way up...this was before we got to the even colder temperatures where the snow was covering the trees. It was so beautiful! We got to see the snowflakes falling as we finished our drive, and fortunately we didn't even have to put on our chains.

The cabin we rented was super nice. It was actually the family's primary residence- more of a comfortable, stylishly decorated, good-sized house, than a cabin. We got to stay in the master bedroom (I guess because we were the only married folks and I'm a pregnant lady...or just because everybody was really nice!). Anyway, the bed was HUGE and there was a really beautiful view of the mountains outside the window.

Here's Johanna by the Christmas tree. It had to be the biggest, coolest Charlie Brown Christmas tree ever.

The snowman (Bob) the girls made the first night to welcome us home when we got back from renting equipment/ grocery shopping.

The skiers/snow-boarders getting ready for a big day on the slopes! And no, I didn't join them (although I secretly wished I could have), but Joe went skiing for the first time and (aside from a really sore behind) had a fantastic time!

Joe scraping all the ice off the windshield...quite an experience for us Southerners!

While everybody else went skiing, I got to hang out with 3 really sweet girls and we had a great day. We took it easy in the morning and spent some great time in the Word together. Then we went to this REALLY good little Mexican place (wish they had Mexican food that good here in Marin!) for lunch. After lunch we went treasure hunting in a couple little thrift stores, and then headed over to Donner Memorial State Park right on Donner lake- the place where the unfortunate Donner party spent the long winter of 1846, unable to cross the 22 ft. of snow blocking the mountain pass. There was a very interesting museum and video that we watched about their ordeal. It was hard for us to believe that only happened just over 150 years ago, and how things have changed. Before going back to the house, we finished off the afternoon stopping at a popular little sledding spot. It was fun, but COLD!

Here I am with Sarah W. and Kiti-

Kiti and her friend from school, Sarah-

Some really cute kids playing in a little snow fort-

Lexi, Sarah, Elisa, Johanna, and Joe C.


5 of the Chaimongkol 8! Joe, Kitima, Johanna, Tavi, and Ben-

No photo editing here...it was really 15 degrees the morning we left!

The whole gang!