A Tahoe Christmas with Family and Fresh Snow

We took our holiday family photos in late December 2010 on a nearby grassy hill, just before packing up for the mountains. The girls were so little, and even the dog got into the spirit with a Christmas sweater.

Part of our celebration at home involved making Christmas cookies. My older daughter got very focused on rolling out the dough and using the cookie cutters. It's a simple tradition, but these are the moments that always stick with me.

After a few days, we drove up to Lake Tahoe to get some skiing in. The weather was incredible—clear, sunny skies and a ton of fresh snow on the ground. The views from the chairlift and the top of the slopes were just stunning, with the deep blue of the lake stretching out below.

It was a perfect day to be out on the mountain. The slopes were busy with people enjoying the holiday week, and the air was crisp and cold. Just a classic winter scene in the Sierra.