Winter Decor

No, this is not a piece of fine embroidery or a carefully stitched piece of lace... it is frost found on our bedroom windows! Isn't it amazing?

Master Class

Last Saturday, Josiah had the opportunity to have a master class with cellist Stephen Balderston. Josiah was coached through one of his pieces, and also had the opportunity to observe Mr. Balderston work with several other students. Mom made sure to video the class so Josiah can pull it back out and watch those positional nuances again!

Today both Joanna and Josiah have a concert with a local student orchestra. While they have both performed in recitals before, it is a first orchestra experience for them.

In other news, Joshua survived the skiing and is scheduled to arrive home late evening tonight. Also scheduled to arrive are several inches of snow. We'll see which arrives first - and how much the arrival of the latter effects the arrival of the former.

Skiing - in flat country

Sam, Joseph and Luke atop the... whoa - the one open black diamond slope!

While Josh is out in Colorado tearing up the mountainsides, we thought we'd take a day to do the midwest equivalent: skiing down a former garbage dump turned into what they call a "ski area." Wilmot Mountain is just about 45 minutes from our place, and just enough north of us to actually be across the border in Wisconsin. Tuesday's are their "homeschool discount day" and at 10:00am sharp this past Tuesday we were at the ski lodge in line to buy our passes for the day.


The weather had been very obliging as it snowed nearly all day Monday to get the mountain ready for us. Apparently it still wasn't quite enough snow, though, as most of the trails were closed and they had snow machines running everywhere! We all still had a good deal of fun, with not too many injuries - unless you count all the sore muscles today...

Here's a glance down the mountain from the ski lift:



Jon having a blast!


Joanna and Lauren take a warm-up break inside the lodge.


Joseph, Luke and Jonathan prepare to head back out for their last hour on the slopes.


Jessica, done for the day and happy to still be able to walk, and glad to have not needed to escort anyone to the hospital...


Abbey, Dawn and Beth at the top.


Sebastian, Luke & Joseph ride the lift.


Hannah and Phil on the bunny hill.

Josh

Who is this and where is he?? It's Josh! He's out in Colorado for a week of skiing with a group of guys.

He flew out to Denver this past Saturday and flies back this coming Saturday. So far the report is that he's having a blast! Our hope is that Patrick Henry isn't wearing a cast at this year's Liberty Day celebration...

Just 'cause they're so cute...

Winston DeLadurantey


William Erber

Liberty Day '07

Information for the 2007 Liberty Day Celebration and Conference is now online! It took awhile, but it's finally up and we are very excited! Click here!

New this year is an Essay Contest we are hosting. We have three categories for anyone from ages 8-99, so get your pens out and write up something about a person or event from the American colonial/revolutionary era that inspires you, incites your respect, or exemplifies honor - especially as it relates to the establishment or defense of liberty.

The dates are February 23-24, 2007. Yes, it's two days this time! Check it out. We hope to see you there!

Happy New Year!

We're in the midst of trying to get the advertising finished and out for Liberty Day 2007, so I've been away from blogging lately (obviously), but I have some things I'd like to post. For now, here's a happy new year from the extended Erber gang!!