Yankee Swap at Bud and Barb's House

Before moving full steam ahead into finals week, the team gathered at Bud and Barb's house for the annual holiday party, featuring the yankee swap--a tradition started many years ago by a ski team alum Loryn Kipp '99. Lots of lasagna, a men's team specialty salad, brownies and sundaes from the ladies team, and amazing swap presents were in abundance.   Below are a few pictures of some epic exchanges.

Exams and final papers run through Monday, Dec. 15th and while schedules are busy, the team is making time to find the snow and get workouts in while keeping on top of the the workload.  Alaska Besh Cups, NENSA Eastern Cups, various local races, and hopefully lots of snow will await the team as we return home for break.  The majority of the team will reconvene on December 27 to travel to Mont Sainte Anne, Quebec for our annual December training camp where we'll get a full week on snow, thanks to a lengthy break this year, a New Year's Day time trial, lots of sleep, reading, movies, massages, delicious meals, and the chance to dominate Bates in The Snowball Fight.  Those not with the team in Quebec will be ripping it up and rocking the cow at US Nationals in Anchorage, Alaska!  Winter study starts up on January 5th, where a reduced course load for the month of January will be a welcome complement to the beginning of the carnival season.      

Above: Aubrey, Bud, and Barb were delightful hosts!  Bud is sporting his Yankee swap acquisition, a "Santa's Little Helper" baseball hat.  

Holly Whitney with her twin sister, Nina!  

Hannah goes home with a flashy Rossi jacket and rainbow-colored boa.

After many years and countless appearances at ski team events, Emily parts with the wrestling suit and Milka hat.  Lucky recipient Robby models his new outfit.  

"Rawwr!" 

A new decoration for Caleb and David's room? 

A-Tay prepares to open his gift.  

Suspense.  

Keith gets after it ("I use my fingernails") with his lottery tickets from Nick.  Total earnings: $0  

Also on Friday night, sophomore sculptors Robby Cuthbert (top) and Dave Hansen (bottom) show off their final projects at the sculpture show in Spencer.