It's birthday time around here, again. See below some pics and clips of previous years' Thomas birthday celebrations.

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Click the slideshow link for even more photos. Years 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, and 2003 are represented.

It's feast or famine when it comes to northern Virginia and snowstorms. We have had some snowy winters here, and others with no snow at all. Most of our wet storms come from up from warmer areas down south, so even in winter rain is the norm. Every once in a while a storm will run up the coast when we already have some cold air in place. Then it snows.

December 5, 2005 was one of those days. When it snows here be sure to get out and enjoy it. These photos are from the small hill in the common area behind our house.

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Skiing in the mid-Atlantic is definitely hit-or-miss. Local ski areas are very dependent on weather, more so than resorts in other parts of the country. And the weather around here can be fickle. This year we are off to a great start, with some cold temps and amazing amounts of lake-effect snow (thank you Lake Erie). Two ski areas opened today (Snowshoe and Seven Springs), and at least two more will open over the coming Thanksgiving holiday weekend (Wisp and Hidden Valley).

Winter 2005 got off to a cold start also. The day after Thanksgiving we made the trek to western Maryland for some opening weekend skiing at Wisp. The plan was to take the whole fam out, but Kathi had a freak accident as we were packing the van. She cracked her toe stepping over her snowboard binding. She dropped out, and stayed at home with Evie and Melanie. Tough break, as this was to be her first day on her new board and bindings.

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Keri stepped in as a last minute sub. The early season conditions were very nice, and we had plenty of time for laps on Wisp Trail. We even got a peek at the new North Camp runs on the back side of the mountain. They were blowing snow all day, but the new runs werent ready to be opened yet.

Back in May of 2006 Kayleigh had a dance recital...

Lynne, Kristin, and Laura joined us in Haymarket for this big annual event. Afterward we went out for an early dinner. Of course Kayleigh got to choose where we would dine, and she picked a local Japanese restaurant. Japanese? Every time I think I have these kids figured out they find a new way to surprise me. I had no idea even what to order. The kids helped me.

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Melanie recently celebrated her third birthday. Check out these photos from past birthday celebrations.

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Back on January 13th of 2005 Kayleigh skipped school, and I skipped work, for a day of skiing. This was Ski Chalet demo day at Wisp. I don't care much for trying out demo equipment. However thanks to the sponsors lift tickets could be had for the bargain rate of $2.

January is normally the coldest month of the year in western Maryland, but as you can see from the photos this definitely wasn't normal January weather. It felt more like late March on the slopes. The few runs that were actually open were just barely so, and some big puddles were forming in the low spots.

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If I had a choice I would take powder snow, of course, measured by the foot. But spring skiing can be almost as much fun. Nice and warm, soft snow, no crowds. Even if it isn't spring.

Flashback time...in February of 1999 we made a five-day road trip from Provo to Eugene, Oregon. Four were along for the ride: myself, Kathi, Kayleigh (just eight months old), and Grandma Jamison.

When Kathi was a student at BYU she roomed at Grandmas' house near the campus in Provo. She shared her space with cousin (and fellow granddaughter) Krista. Now this same Krista was returning from an 18-month LDS mission in Latvia. The plan was for the four of us to join Krista's family in Eugene and greet her upon her arrival at the airport.

This would be just the second lengthy trip for our new (new to us, anyway) Subaru. It was fully packed with luggage and ski gear. We even had a shovel and some tire chains just in case we encountered any challenging wintry conditions.

On the way up we overnight-ed with Grandma's family in Paul, Idaho. From there it was a full day of driving first on I-84 past Burley and Boise, then on US-20 through Burns, and Bend. We arrived at the Jamison's in Eugene in time for a late dinner.

Kathi and I took one afternoon to ski at nearby Willamette Pass. It had been a year of tremendous snowfall in the Cascades. The high elevation roads were lined with towering walls of snow. There was no room on the shoulders for plowed snow, so special snow-throwing equipment had to be used to keep the roads clear. The weather was cold, snowy, and windy at the resort, but the deep snow made for high quality skiing.

Krista took us on a guided tour of the Oregon coast. We went for a short hike to the lighthouse at Heceta Head. Then we rode the elevator down to the famous Sea Lion Caves. On the way back to Eugene we stopped for Oregon-style clam chowder.

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