Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a great finish to 2017 and a strong start to the New Year….I was happily in bed and asleep by 10:30 NYE after a fun dinner out with family and friends. I am still trying to create my goals for 2018, but in the meantime, here are some pictures of our adventure out west last week in Sunriver, OR with my parents, and brother’s family. It is truly a great family friendly place for everyone to experience the beauty and nature of Oregon. We never get tired of it, even when going twice a year (this year in March and again in December). Enjoy the photos of beautiful Oregon!
Once again, Ken was the one who went downhill skiing with the kids. I only went one day (Christmas Day) and although it is fun, nothing compares to cross country skiing. So Ken is the downhill guy, and I am the cross country gal. yin and yang.
Cruzzie has become quite the little skier. He loves it so much and even took chair lifts by himself and navigated the slopes alone. A proud mama moment — and just wish he had that responsibility and flexibility in the big bad city of New York.
Aside from skiing (and eating my mom’s fabulous food), there was a lot of snuggling and cuddling and relaxing. I was able to read two books and spent a lot of time just staring and thinking while lying next to the fireplace. Love those types of days.
My dad continues to be my inspiration in life — so athletic and ambitious and just lives each day to the fullest.
In addition to my parents spending the week with us, my brother came down from Seattle with his three kids (his wife had to work).
One of our family traditions (since I was a toddler) was that after a good day of skiing, we would go to the candy store (Goody’s) and stock up on candy….and so the tradition continues!
One day, Ken took the littles (the 5 and 6 year old little girls) downhill skiing, and we took the bigs cross country!
Just like old times — me, Giora, and my dad.
The bigs.
The beauty of Oregon.
The snow, the trees, everything just sparkles.
On every cross country outing, we would end up at a lodge where we would make a fire and eat our snacks before heading back home.
The shelter and the mountains in the background. I adore Oregon.
One day all the cousins went ice skating and it was super fun. The cousins — five in total – are super close. They have a bond like nothing else and just love being together.
Tusia and big cousin, Alagna.
My drawing of the cousins.
So thank you to my father for skiing with us, to my mother for her endless support of cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the kids (truly the biggest superwoman you’ll ever meet), to my brother for making the drive down, and for the cousins for making it fun for us Natori Family. We love you all so much! Now, we are in Florida enjoying our last little bit of vacation before school starts next week…..not so much sunny weather down here in Florida, but better than the current sub zero temperatures in NYC. Hope everyone has a great first week of January!
Happy New Year Josie Girl & Family! Oregon looks beautiful .. I have to make a trip out there myself for snowboarding one day