Carnival

I am told the McCall Winter Carnival used to be craaaaazy. There were snowmobile and atv races through the middle of town. At least one or two broken bones on a racer and/or spectator every year. I think it is not as fungerous these days.
My experience has only been since Scott and I started dating. He took me in 2004 and I met some of his family who knew then that Scott was planning to propose! So, the Winter Carnival to me is beautiful and a sweet memory I get to multiply with Scott and the boys each year!

Here are some from back then...


Last weekend we spent a few nights enjoying friends, family and fireworks for the start of Winter Carnival. Aside from a poor sick baby boy, the trip was a wonderful treat. The pictures say it a little better.

They start out the celebrations with a kids' torchlight parade. Trevor and Nathan got to carry cute LED-lit lanterns and walk through town with "Sharlie" (McCall's lake monster). This is probably an improvement from allowing the kids to carry real flaming balls of goo.

The fireworks were the best I remember seeing just about anywhere! They just kept going and going and we were so very close.

And you know they are really good when Papa and Holly are trying to take a picture of them on their cell phones ; )


The boys watched mesmerized in the comfort of their chariot and blankets.


The next day I skied with Scott and Chris Dunlap. I got to demo an awesome new pair of "Lotta Luv" K2's. My quads were feeling it for sure by the afternoon. Those two are speedy!! It was a beautiful day to enjoy the mountain.

We celebrated Joelio's b-day with some cake and Trevor's birthday with a really cute lion pinata sent from G.G.! The pinata was cleverly designed to open with out having to use a bat. The kids are supposed to take turns pulling a ribbon-- only one of which will open the trap door. Again, you'll notice the the trend towards safety-- which was perfect to enjoy inside Papa's cozy house.


We were glad to have our friends Andrea and Chris and their son Nathan join us!



The iconic first year cake picture came next immediately followed by a bath and then later realization that too much sugar had been consumed by two little boys.

Trevor spent the next few days pretending
to be a fireman in a parade who throws beads to people.

Poor little sick Joel got some quality time in Papa's arms.
We played in the snow a little. This picture is going to be one of my favorites for a long time. I just love the near splits Trevor is doing just to try on Daddy's snowboard.


So, Scott built a nice little sliding path for the sled.

However, Trevor's preferred method of transportation is by bike, so Papa helped him improvise.


Again with the improvising and doing what Papa does best...