Happy New Year! Once again, we headed to June Lake after Christmas for a week of fun in the mountains. This year was very different from last year, in that there was very little snow. The boys were a little disappointed at first, but we were actually able to take advantage of the conditions by being able to explore June Lake without being too cold. Jack was also excited to try skiing this year. It's been a couple of years since he had a lesson in Mammoth and we weren't sure how this would go, but because the resorts weren't very crowded, he was able to take lessons three days in a row where it was just him and one other kid. The hands-on attention really paid off, and by day 2 he made his way down the big mountain in June with the instructor, and on day 4, he was able to ski the run at Chair 11 in Mammoth all by himself!!! We also got Luke on a pair of skis so that he could join in on the fun. We also explored the lake, which was frozen over. I so wished I had a pair of ice skates with us! Jack liked walking on the frozen water, but Luke was a little tentative about how slippery it was. Tiffany and Will came up to Mammoth at the end of the week, and we were able to spend a few evenings hanging out, spent a day skiing in Mammoth, and rode the gondola from the Village to Canyon Lodge. We had a mellow and fun New Year's Eve dinner with Tiff and Will at our cabin. We love our time at June Lake each year, and we miss it already! Such a great and relaxing way to ring in the new year!
Not much snow outside our cabin, but any amount of snow is fun!
Exploring the frozen lake. There were a couple of guys playing ice hockey, and another family was ice skating. So fun!
It was starting to warm up, so we could hear the lake ice cracking. We actually felt the ice crack beneath our feet...that was when we decided we were done playing on the lake!
First time on the chair lift at June Mountain!
Ready to ski!
Luke joined in on the fun!
Jack on the magic carpet
Heading back down on the chair lift. What a view!
Mellow morning in the cabin
Luke got his own pair of goggles. He was so excited!
Hot cocoa and family movie night!
We were able to ski in Mammoth with Tiff and Will. Tiff helped Jack down the run one time, while I was able to ski with him. Nick went with Jack on the next run, and Jack felt comfortable enough to make the run without help! Tiff recorded Jack's run, which is so awesome!!! We are SO proud of him! Nick said his favorite part of our trip was being able to make this run with Jack :)
We're continuing the Gisler tradition and are very fortunate that Santa knows the family so well and agrees to come to our house before Christmas so that the kids can tell him what's on their wish lists. We had our annual holiday party, and the kids were ready! Jack asked for a Mega T-Rex, and Luke asked for a Thundercats Sword.
In keeping with tradition, the kids sang Christmas caroles so that Santa could feel the Christmas Spirit and would know which house to stop at.
We were joined this year by the Del Vecchios, the Birds and the Natoris. The kids played so well together! The made their annual holiday ornament (handprints on glass bulbs this year), and we went low-key with catering from Super Mex (yum!). For dessert, it was a group project as we made mini churros from scratch! They turned out pretty good and were actually pretty easy to make. It was a great night, and we were so happy to share it with our good friends!
Singing Christmas caroles so that Santa can feel the Christmas spirit!
Ian's first!
Josh did great this year! He asked for Thundercats!
Lana asked for an American Girl doll
Ahhh...Luke gave Santa a hug. He asked for a Thundercats Sword.
Jack asked for a Mega T-rex
Jake's turn!
Zak wants the new Batcave!
Aspen wasn't so sure about this bearded man. She got her present and ran!
Drew and Santa exchanging goodbyes!
Nick and Santa :)
Cool toys from Santa! His elves will be busy making the toys the kids asked for tonight!
