Side notes:

1.  On my way up to Duluth this past Thursday I paid $1.50/gallon for gas...something I haven't done since about the year 2000, I think!  Crazy times.

2.  Jonas told Finn that expert skiers eat chili.  So, now Finn willingly eat chili.  I wonder what ELSE expert skiers do around this house.... ;)

A first for Finn!

 Today, Jonas and Finn went skiing together for the first time! Finn had SO much fun.  If his life motto is "Finn is fast," then this was an obvious conclusion to make, right?  Haha!  So glad it went well for him.

They went to Como, which is a tiny place 10 minutes from our house, but perfect for a 4-year-old to learn on.  This could be the start of a fun adventure for Finn, folks!

Photos Chelsea took at Schaefer family Christmas 2015:

She loves her ballet class.

Her cheeks were adored.  Per usual.

Layla had SO much fun with her energetic uncles!

Awwwww, come ON, Uncle Toby!  Lean in.  :)

For sure she's got something in her mouth.

Check out her eyes.

Do you see the message in her eyes?? ;)

All SIX cousins together!

This is my favorite of all the shots.

Layla's adored dress from Aunt Ruth.

Schaefer Christmas 2009:

Schaefer Christmas 2015:

When your father is a designer...

...painting the fingernails becomes a serious, 30 minute activity.  No joke.

Christmas in D.C., part 7:

No one loves a good fire more than a Schaefer!  

Check out Finn's cheeks.  No one has better "blowing fire" cheeks than Finn.

Patricia's LLBean cover photo...

 These 3 photos below make me laugh.  Finn was working hard to convince Jonas about something.  He kept ending with "Is it a DEAL, Papa?  Is it a DEAL??"

Off to collect more wood for the fire.

I love this photo!  I'm sure it's the kind of photo that people never love of themselves, but I think it's awesome.  :)

And then, on our last night there, we had a family fondu dinner!  So fun.  So delicious.

Classic fondu photo.  :)