The (Pretty) Big Snow 11:27 PM

The 10 feet (3 meters) of snow that was forcast didn't quite materialize, but we did end up getting a fair amount of snow. On the upper slopes of Alpine Meadows, the totalt storm totals were probably up around six feet, which is definitely not anything to complain about. Since the snow arrived over a period of about 10 days, or at least it seemed like it snowed about every day for a good week and a half, we were able to get out and enjoy fresh snow every day. It was fun to see our boys react and interact, and while I'm not one to take a lot of ski pictures anymore (I'd rather be skiing then stopping to take pictures all the time), we did get a few days of great skiing in, and several more days of fun in the snow.

Closeness and courage 8:37 PM

We have now been able to spend almost two months together, close, together as brothers, mamma and sons, daddy and sons and husband and wife. And also as being part of other family here in California. Being a family spending so much time together, made me think of thousands yeas ago, a hundreds years ago and today, that it is in our families that we learn to take the freedom and opportunities presented to us and make something of them. It is in our families that we learn courage. We learn how to become self reliant and to focus on our personal potential of service to others. We all have to practise self-discipline and moderation. We have to foster respect for our family members, which extends to the outside world, as well as the love we have for our mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters. With our mistakes and learning in this little society, we experience justice and mercy for our mistakes and trespasses against others. It is in our families that life is lived. Families are never perfect, but families are the best way we know to develop as people. I am grateful for being able to spend so much time together.

Waiting for the Big Snow 10:41 PM

Despite arriving to a fair amount of snow on the ground last week, and another 15-20 cm a few days ago, the impending snow storm is the one we've been waiting for, not to mention one of the reasons we decided to spend the winter here in Truckee. While Elias and Frêney don't really care whether it's a few centimeters or a couple meters, daddy does... So really it's me doing the most waiting and being the most optimistic. Although both boys (well at least Elias) do love the thrill of snow falling and accumulating

Truckee - Sunshine, Snow, and Skiing 9:11 PM

At last the holiday season has wound to a close and we have made our way to Truckee for (most of) the rest of the winter. With plenty of snow on the ground and sunny blue skies, what better way to get reacquainted with this beautiful area. A few centimeters of fresh snow, an eager two year old, a happy-go-lucky 11 month old,  and a daddy and mamma relieved to finally be able to start settling in for the season.

The winter is still full of plenty of unknown and unplanned adventures, but now we have Truckee as a base for the next few months while we ski, play in the snow, and make the occasional get away to other exciting places here in California. The boys can play with their cousin Sage, and we all  can try to get a feel for the community that we have sensed on previous visits.

Kissing alpaca 10:36 PM

Enjoy this little guy and his new friends!

The year of getting dirty 12:01 AM

While our adventures already began a few weeks ago, the dawn of 2010 brings with it the vision of our planned year together on the road. Up until now, we have been planning and preparing, but now our mission begins. We leave again the comforts of home and head into the unknown, well at least partly. We have no definite plans for where we are headed or what we expect, only that we want to spend this time together as a family learning, growing and most importantly....getting dirty! After a recent day trip into the mountains, the thought struck me that what we really are looking for is to immerse ourselves in nature, to, yeah, get dirty.

As the year progresses we'll see where we end up, but along the way we want to feel course granite with our finger tips as we boulder in places like the Buttermilks in the east side of the Sierras, taste the salty breeze coming off the Pacific Ocean as we comb the sandy beaches along the coast, enjoy beautiful sunrises and sunsets in remote places, sleep under the stars, enjoy the snow under our skis and the dirt under our bare feet, see lots of wild animals, and just plain be outside as much as possible.

In the short time we already have been here, we've already had a good start, but now it's time to really pull up the anchor and set sail. We hope that you, also will join us as we journey along and share our adventures both in words and images. And above all, we hope that you too will make time to get out.