Back to School 2025

7th, 5th and 3rd grade, let's go! Here’s to another school year full of love, growth, learning, and fun. 

Cannon Beach 2025

Over the past few years, it’s been a process figuring out the best way to make the most of the kids’ school breaks. One year, we did Hawaii in February and Arizona in April—both were incredible trips, but in hindsight, it was too much. The following year, we scaled things back with a February ski trip and a few local adventures in April. Skiing was great, but not getting away for spring break left us feeling a little let down.

This year, we finally found what feels like the right balance. We spent mid-winter break skiing at Mount Bachelor and then headed to the Oregon coast for spring break. It was ideal—fun adventures without the long travel days or the expense of far-off destinations.

The kids loved Cannon Beach. Honestly, it was a bit of a surprise, but they said it’s one of their favorite places we’ve ever visited. It was super low-key, filled with slow days on the beach, long walks, hiking, feeding the resident bunnies, bike rides, kite flying, shopping in town, and beach bonfires to usher in twilight.

I recently revisited an article by Mark Manson that’s stuck with me since I first read it in 2018. He writes that adulthood begins when we live by principle—when our values align with our actions. He points out that our thoughts can be deceiving, and if we really want to understand what we value, we need to look at how we actually spend our time.

I want to use our school breaks as intentional pauses and opportunities to lean into one of our core family values: meaningful experiences and time well spent with those we hold dearest.

Skiing 2025

Building on the momentum of the 2024 ski season, we went all in for 2025 and bought five Ikon passes. We kicked things off in September by taking the Crystal Gondola up for a scenic hike. Later in the season, we returned for a ski weekend at the Loge with our Canterwood friends and spent a full week in Sunriver, tearing it up at Mt. Bachelor.

Wes, Hazel, and I made real progress in our skiing—culminating in our first black diamond run together as a family. Owen was laser-focused on conquering the toughest terrain on the mountain, and he proudly met his goal. Ty had a few moments where he realized that keeping up with his first born is a challenge. 

Our MLK weekend at the Loge was fantastic. The snow wasn’t great, but the weather was clear and Crystal really shines with the right light. The kids loved skiing together by day and hitting the pool and s’mores by night. We had a cozy dinner at the Snorting Elk and an unforgettable game of Charades. 

Our week at Bachelor was a highlight—it's still my favorite place to ski. The runs are wide and beautiful, and even when the lift lines are long, the mountain never feels crowded. We made it to the summit, where the powder was the best I’ve ever experienced. Bachelor is also where we tackled that black diamond—a sweet milestone for our family. Off the slopes, we ice skated, explored the village, swam at the lodge, worked on a puzzle, and soaked in the hot tub.

The winters here are undeniably gloomy, but skiing motivates us to embrace the outdoors anyway; it keeps us active and energized. Personally, I ski for the views—the quiet awe of standing at the summit, surrounded by glittering snow and piercing blue skies, while the lowlands often remain cloaked in a blanket of clouds.

This year, our family set a goal: 1,000 hours outside in 2025. Ski season gave us a strong start. Every hour on the slopes counts—not just toward the goal, but toward a rhythm of life that values movement, nature, and shared adventure.

                   

Christmas 2024

It was another lovely holiday season, complete with the now-familiar viral disruptions that seem to have become the post-COVID norm. We spent Thanksgiving at the Cove and had a wonderful time. Hazel started to fall ill during our travels and rhinovirus subsequnetly made its way through the house, taking the kids down in turn. Wes ended up with pneumonia, and someone was home sick for three weeks straight. We had to cancel our Seattle getaway and scale back many of our pre-Christmas plans.

By the time Christmas arrived, everyone was on the mend, in time for the traditions we love most. We celebrated early with my family in Clackamas, then hosted Christmas Day at our house with the Leitz/Rallo crew. Steve made a standing rib roast, and with less time spent in the kitchen, I was able to fully enjoy everyone’s company. The Magnolia Rallos stayed overnight, we spent some relaxed time in Gig Harbor, and then headed back to the Cove for a few days—highlighted by epic sledding afternoon at Badger Mountain.

Once we returned home, we kept things slow and cozy: board games, biking, hiking, skiing, and plenty of movie nights. Remembering how drained I felt after the holidays last year, I let the mess linger and prioritized quality time over productivity. 

Owen’s behavior leading up to Christmas was a challenge. Big emotions often come with big excitement for him, and it brought out some tension in all of us. After the holiday passed, he found his footing again, and the second half of winter break felt much lighter and more enjoyable. Getting called off work for both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day was an unexpected gift. We made it to Crystal for our first ski day of the season and went to a NYE party with neighborhood friends. I ended the break feeling grounded rather than depleted. 

Looking ahead to 2025, we set a simple family goal: more intentional time outdoors. We’ve always loved being outside, and while I’m pretty sure we’re already hitting the mark, this year I’m tracking it—aiming for 1,000 hours of time outside.