The kids wanted to do the Polar Bear Plunge on January 1st and lots of the family showed up to cheer them on. As soon as Solace felt the air outside, he changed his mind. Then when we got to the beach, Lullaby changed her mind. Matix and Hawken and Paul were the only ones to do it after all. Alexandra and one of her friends did it too. There wasn't much snow on the beach, but the water was ICY! Brrr!
When they announced one minute to go, they ran to the edge, and a random lady was running up and down the beach hugging everyone in her bathrobe to keep them warm. So funny.
Then the last 10 seconds countdown, and off they ran!
I ran back to the stuff, Matix was wrapped in a sleeping bag and carried off the beach by Nicky and Hans. He was screaming, he hated it so much. Hawk was really cold, but still able to walk and get dressed with Paul.
We found Matix in Nicky's truck, they were so sweet to him.
We got them back home all within 30 minutes of jumping in the lake, good thing we were so close. They all got a hot bath, and then warmed right back up. Matix stayed in the bath as long as he could, while Hawken was better in just a few minutes. Matix really doesn't do well with pain of any kind, but he's proud of himself now for doing it.
Paul, Matix, Hawk, and Alexandra all made the paper too, so fun!
Paul and I did the Polar Bear Plunge in 2007, so he was only renewing his membership. :)
We parked on the street and got plowed in, so we had to borrow a snow shovel from one of the neighbors and get us shoveled out.
Lazy mornings while Paul was working, we lounged and watched movies, and tried on all the new clothes from Auntie Heather.
Kent Christmas, which was the reason for us being there, was really fun. Holly was the hostess this year, and held it at Kevin's bar. The kids got as many free kiddie cocktails as they wanted and loved all the games and activities she had set up for them.
Matix won the pass your present game.
Jolie got Paul for Secret Santa and got him a shirt with his face all over it. So silly. He wears it all the time.
Lots of hugs to be had. It's been a long time since anyone from our family has been at Kent Christmas, but it was nice to be there. It was another bittersweet thing to do with that side of my family. It was weird without my dad.
Dinner at Grandma Kim and Grandpa Louie's house, almost all fresh foods from the farm, yum! Then games and candle tricks.
We went sledding with the Krupps, and Jolie dropped off Alexandra to join us too. The hill is steep and the kids just FLEW down it! We love the cousin time they get!
More fun at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Playing inside and outside.
We went to the movies, which was a little tribute to Grandpa Chuck, and it snowed HEAVY before, during and after the movie. The kids were mesmerized. We saw Sing 2, and wished my dad was there. It's strange that the movie theater reminds us all of him. We went there a lot with him, so it makes us happy and sad to be there now.
Jolie stayed with Heather and worked the whole time to get her sale items organized. It looks great! I'm sure Heather has loved having it this way.
Matix and Hawk rode their ripstiks through the airport on the way home, and no one stopped them. They were very careful to watch out for people, but I wasn't too convinced they'd be able to ride them the whole time.
We got to the gate and Paul took a nap. We played games, and our flights were delayed a million times and we finally got home LATE. The bonus is that we saw a lovely sunset while we flew.
