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Here's the Blog that was GOING to go up, just before the accident. A little out of order now, but better late than never.

Christmas and New Years

In the week before Christmas Dan managed to shake free of work on a Friday and we took the kids for their second time to the downhill slopes to go skiing. We got there early, got outfitted and headed for the bunny slope. The kids liked having the chair lift (last place we went had only pommel and T-bar lifts) and really got the hang of skiing pretty easily. As expected, we have a few “show no fear, point straight down hill and go” who should be kept on a leash!! And a couple of more “conservative, take your time” skiers. All in all a good mix. Everybody had a great time and we’re all raring to go back. Unfortunately, in the weeks since we skied, the snow has melted and we have been “blessed” with 50 degree weather.

Also before Christmas, we hosted our annual Christmas Open House and were rewarded with about 30 friends who braved blizzard conditions to attend. We had invited nearly 80 people and in the wee hours of the morning, the snow began to fall heavily. By “Party” time we already had 12” on the ground and it was coming down at about 4” per hour. Add to that, high winds that were creating total white-out conditions and we had ourselves an old-fashioned blizzard. Still people came. I have to say Erieites are a heartier group than I. We were so pleased to see so many friends.

Christmas then came and went in a flurry of activity. We had a wonderful day at home playing with all the new electronics. The big gift this year was an X-Box 360 gaming console.

This was the first year that we let the kids stay up to ring in the New Year with us! In all honesty, it’s been a few years since even Dan and I stayed up to ring in the New Year. Mom and Dad Ballesty were here to ring it in with us this year and it was great to have them here.

The kids were thrilled to watch all the music artists they love from the radio do “live” shows on TV in the run up to “the ball dropping”. They loved counting down and then making as much noise as possible at the stroke of midnight. We let them all have a taste of Champagne to toast the New Year and weren’t in the least bit surprised when Declan chugged his!

School started back up on January 2nd with renewed enthusiasm (NOT!) from all. It’s been pretty slow getting back into it but we,re working on it. The school year if half over January 25th and even though the kids don’t feel it, we are on the downhill side.

The kids competitive swim season is coming into the last full month. Unfortunately, this means an accelerated pace of practices and meets in order to prepare for championships and to make qualifying times for District events. As of Jan 11, 2008, Erin has district qualified in 50 Yd Freestyle and as a member of a 200 Yd Freestyle Relay team. Elise is getting very close to qualifying in her breaststroke as well. The boys have an outside chance to qualify, but most likely not until next year.