happy new years eve

Happy New Year's Eve!

We chose to spend the day skiing so sadly there will be no awards later tonight... if I get a chance, I might try it later in January. Instead, I have a few photos from today at Winter Park/ Mary Jane!

Just before we headed up...

On Mary Jane trail with the Rowley's and Alyssa is up there too.

And one last cute photo of Alyssa at the top where Winter Park and Mary Jane meet!

A great way to end 2015 and begin 2016!

dante dog bath

I invited our friend's kids over to come play at our house and give them a break... little did I know Katie had other plans for her and Alyssa that involved Judy taking them to a local pet shop where they gave Dante a bath!

Alyssa couldn't have been more happy to wash Dante. When I asked if Dante had fun, both girls shrugged and said "He was a little scared. He shivered the whole time!" Poor Dante!

Meanwhile at home, Jordan and Jaiden had serious boy time and I got to do a little playing of my own... well, technically cleaning but I think that counted!

learning to sew

Yesterday, Alyssa and pulled out her new sewing machine and set it up! We walked through the various features and then played with the stitches.

 She wanted to instantly work on her new doll dress and pattern, but first things first, we had to cut it out!

Today, we got right to the business of sewing the doll dress...

 which proved to a lot harder than she thought it would be and even I thought it was harder for her than I thought it would be given it was an "easy beginner pattern". I didn't realize how much there was to learn and know when teaching your little girl to sew.

And a lot of pressing to do... except I did most of that while she did this...

That made me giggle ... so cute of her!

merry christmas!

This morning consisted of waking up on my own and at a relatively decent normal time without Miss Alyssa trying to wake us up! 

I even had the chance to take this photo with the morning light coming through the window and silhouetting our finally decorated Christmas tree! Oh and yes, another white Christmas here!

May you have a beautiful and Merry Christmas!

soda fountain treats

Woke up to yet another foot of fresh powder... oh, was it hard for me to not coax, plead, beg, bribe, threaten, sweet talk and then bribe some more for the kids to ski one more day and drive home at the end of the day.

 In the end, I did ask at least 2, maybe 3 times and they were tired. 2 days of crazy knee deep powder skiing can wear one out... plus driving home earlier in the day sounded a little more appealing than driving home in the dark over two snowy mountain passes and not necessarily being able to see the road conditions. I sucked it up and mourned silently, listlessly looking at the mountain.

We drove into town because going to Steamboat and not stopping at the cute drugstore soda fountain counter just seemed wrong. Downtown is pretty awesome to check out anyway and that was an adventure too! We had to parallel park next to these enormous snow berms and everyone got out on the street side and carefully walked until we found a shoveled entrance to the sidewalk... or if you are like Jaiden, he tried to climb the snow berm in shorts and Vans that have no traction. 

Then into the soda fountain for a yummy treat!

The drive home turned out to be relatively easy. Both passes were very well maintained and it was clear that Rabbit Ears Pass and Steamboat had got the bulk of the storm. We made it home safely and now are ready to enjoy Christmas!

#unbelievable snow!

Today, I remembered my phone. I really, really wanted to bring my nice camera with me but we woke to another day of snowing and yet another 14-16 " fresh powder! I figured I would rather enjoy the powder and not deal with my camera getting wet, so iPhone photos it is!

This was the trail the kids tried to blaze to catch the shuttle to the base of the mountain...

It worked until Jaiden fell!

At this point, I am way too excited about the possibilities of skiing in knee deep powder... truly unbelievable! And so lucky for us that I planned this trip!

A photo on the gondola because well, because I love the gondola photos ... lol! It's the excitement of going up the mountain... skiing the mountain, dancing on the powder... yes, I get really excited! You wouldn't know it by their facial expressions but they are excited too!

Last year when we were in Steamboat, my friend, Noriko took a photo of this exact lift going up. There was a small trail of snow but for the most part it was completely melted with grass, mini trees, and dirt exposed. She posted in on FB and said "and they said ski Steamboat, it will be unforgettable" or something like that. Noriko and I laughed over that so this time I took the photo and texted her "they said ski Steamboat, it will be difficult to see at times and loaded with powder... we miss you!"

One of my family... since I had the phone out of my pocket!

The boys (skiing) decided to race us (in the gondola) down the mountain at the end of the day. And this is when I wished I had my good camera. We did find them but the inside of the gondola was slightly foggy, and the outside was dripping in melted in snow. But I did catch this cutie looking for them!

And they did beat us down! 

Which tickled Jaiden because last year during Spring break, I raced the gondola down and he really wanted to try the next time. I also told him it might have been harder for them in some parts because of the powder and harder for me in other spots because of the slushy snow but overall, I think he got the better run!

Then this evening we made the slow and rather crazy drive into town to hit the town's rec center/ hot springs combined. The pools were fun and the kids loved it. I even got in which these days is not so often... must be getting old because the idea of being in a swim suit to walk through the snow to get in a hot tub or in this case, hot springs is not all that appealing to me! I did get out before everyone else and bundled up to watch from inside even though I couldn't see much.

Another epic ski day at Steamboat!

day 1 of champagne powder!

We knew it was going to snow while we were at Steamboat but we didn't know it would snow a little over a foot in one night! We (okay maybe it was Dennis and I) were so excited to open the blinds to see this view!

Where is that mountain? Buried under fresh powder... woot, woot!

The kids were ready for anything and so we bundled up...

and rode the gondola up! 

Dennis grabbed a few photos during the day with his phone since I had left my phone behind by accident! The skiing was magnificent and really not too cold. I think that is bonus when it's snowing, it's normally a tad warmer or maybe I just tell myself that and ignore those cold toes!

Two cuties!

And a cool shot of Jaiden skiing through the trees!

The sun did try to peek through the clouds near the end of the day but only briefly and then it started to snow again! Looking like it's going to be another day of awesome skiing!!!

red torch light parade

At a last minute sort of whim, I booked a condo at Steamboat for the first few days of winter break. I had received an email for a substantial discount and called on it, as it turns out I didn't qualify for that discount because we had season passes but I qualified for an even better rate so I did it! 

Everyone was pretty excited to get the skiing underway which is a huge change from year's past when Alyssa wasn't so sure she wanted to ski. The forecast was optimistic with snow and it appeared a decent amount had fallen which is always a gamble early in the season.

We timed our arrival to close to 4 pm so we could check in easily and get settled. 

The kids were so antsy to get out of the car even if it meant sitting on an old chairlift that was piled with snow!

And then that evening we were hanging out when all of a sudden we heard fireworks. Our condo was actually a fair distance from the base but we had a great view of the front slope and shortly after the fireworks, we watched this...

... the red torch light parade! We had no clue that was happening so it was fun to watch!

On a side note, I had really wanted the kids to watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and found a perfect opportunity to watch in on ABC Family cable. This worked out well as it would be edited for families but what didn't work so well was all the commercials which drove the kids crazy! They could not believe all the commercial breaks and kept groaning every time... I still managed to laugh until I cried while they just look bewildered!

A perfect start to skiing at Steamboat!

santa, japanese food and face

What does all of that have in common?

Our fabulous first day of winter break!

Actually I wish I would have captured a little more about our Santa visit. It was a fun and different experience, maybe partially because the kids are still interested in visiting Santa and partially because I met these other kids while standing in line who were the sweetest kids. A brother and sister (7th and 6th graders) who reminded me a lot of Jaiden and Alyssa.  

They were patiently standing in line, and chit chatting with me about this was their tradition with their dad who was off getting them hot cocoa from Starbuck's, while my two unruly kids were running in the snow in front of the courthouse, they excitedly point out when Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived (which was quite the performance) and told me how they apparently drive a red mini van! 

When their dad came back, the boy asked if I thought my kids would like to have a snowball fight with him and I said of course! So 3 of the 4 kids had a snowball fight while the dad, girl and I chatted. The dad was hilarious too. The girl hoped it would be their last year doing this, while her dad said maybe when she was 16 and then I told her that my mom had me do it while until I was 22! She rolled her eyes and her dad's face lit up! She was so cute and funny. She told me this had been their tradition for years and after this they watch the infamous man climb into a small plexiglass box and then her dad tries to get them to do the same. I never laughed so hard. 

It was finally our turn and by this time, the 3 snowball fighters were drenched and not looking so picturesque, but it worked out. I love that I get to take more own photos!

When we went to leave, the girl asked me if I would like to join the tradition of trying to climb into the plexibox, and I laughed again and said no thank you. We said it was fun and as we parted I said I am really sorry about the next 10 years (referring to her visiting Santa). She laughed and so did her dad. It was such a fun and different experience standing in line with her and her brother, and later her dad. They were such sweet kids and I hope we see them again next year. 

Then we headed to Japango for our tradition of getting sushi after visiting Santa!

Alyssa chose the kids bento box... I so love the kid plate and the pretty presentation!

Jaiden and I shared handrolls and a few other sushi delights.

Then it was home before we headed to our next event at the Paramount...

... tickets compliments of Papi and Nana...

I wonder if Jaiden will ever learn to stop making those faces especially after you see this year's Christmas card!

... to be completely mesmerized by the performance ...

and instead of lighters everyone turned on their phones to simulate the look...

... for the fantastic a cappella band, FACE!

What an awesome show!

yeah christmas break

Today was the class party where they do a fun book exchange and a big fruit parfait style bar! I grabbed a few photos but not enough as this is the only one I even liked. I am going to be sad I didn't take more because I am really going to miss having Mrs. Potter as my kid's teacher. 

And now the fun of Christmas break begins...

cutest girl ever

She was pretty bummed about school being cancelled yesterday as the student store was cancelled, but Mrs. Potter carried on with it today and sent me a photo of Alyssa with her store!

Seriously, isn't she the cutest? 

And her store was well received. She was thrilled that everyone bought from her, she even gave a few way or sold for less because some of the kids didn't have enough Potter bucks. 

unexpected snow day

Best. Day. Ever. 

I love unexpected snow days in a huge way! It was awesome to wake up at 4:30 am by first my cell phone, than my home phone to find out school was cancelled. (Note to self: remove home phone from the emergency call list.) Yippee! 

First, I need to share these adorable charms Alyssa made last night and I only helped paint them for her! She was planning to sell them at her classes student store today... which makes today a bonus to get to photograph them since it was too dark last night!

Then, it was outside to shovel! I tried to get the kids out there to help me but instead Alyssa took a photo of me doing the work!

Then it was to the gym for my workout but the kids are awesome about going. They chose to swim in the pool today so you know, wearing your swim trunks and Sorel is definitely appropriate snow clothes right?

We spent the rest of the afternoon lounging around the house and doing whatever we felt like doing, but then headed out one last time for Jaiden's Court of Honors!

He was one of the MC's for the event.

And also a recipient of his First Class Scout rank!

Photos from Court of Awards are complements of Alyssa! 

It was a perfect unexpected snow day!

mirror, mirror on the wall...

Sometimes, I just want to remember the funny things these kids do and this was one of them. Tonight as Alyssa walked past the mirrors in Hobby Lobby, she'd stop and make a shocked facial expression... seriously made me laugh!

the perfect imperfect tree

Did I mention that Alyssa tells us we absolutely can not pick out a tree without snow? 

Well, we finally got snow and her okay that we can go pick out our tree. We went to our usual local Blue Ribbon farm to find the perfect imperfect tree among the select and wonderfully lopsided Charlie Brown trees!

Poor Dennis though, he always tries to persuade us to get a bigger more even tree and he tries to find one of those among the Charlie Brown section...

Alyssa chose this one!

Jaiden tried to convince us to try a minimalist tree...

... one that he pick up and make a goofy face with...

or just cover his face with it!

Silly boy! 

But now we have a tree that I have dressed with lights and am waiting for helping hands to decorate... wonder how long that will take!

merry merry tuba christmas

Not sure where I should start telling this story but technically it started back in October when Jaiden came home with a flyer that said "Merry Merry Tuba Christmas" and asked if could do it?! There was very little information on the flyer and I wasn't sure how exactly it worked so I had to email his teacher. She, of course, encouraged him to try it. She assured me all levels go from beginners to professionals and it was concert for tuba, baritone, sousaphone and euphoniums to play Christmas music. I agreed he could attend but honestly, I sort of assumed he would decide not to at the last minute.

As the weeks approached, he would ask to make sure he was still going. A few times, he asked if he could do something else but then I would say that's the day of merry merry tuba Christmas and he'd reply never mind, I am doing that.

So when the morning arrived and we woke up to a lot of blowing snow and getting up early, he was ready to go and he and I headed up to Fort Collins to go find this merry merry tuba Christmas. 

He was pretty quiet in the car and the drive was slow but we made it with plenty of time. The room was already filled with people warming up and having never done this, it took a moment to orientate ourselves. He found his band teacher who immediately had him sit with her, her son and her husband. You can barely see him in this photo, but he's wearing a red merry merry tuba hat and is just in front of the man standing in the back.

I was uncertain about just leaving him by himself so I hung out in a corner of the room and listened and watched. The minute they started playing I was surprised! The deep sound of all those instruments playing Christmas music was truly impressive. They broke for lunch and instead of coming with me to meet Dennis and Alyssa at a local restaurant, he chose to stay and eat lunch with everyone at the church. 

Then it was off to the actual performance...

The snow had actually melted on the sidewalks and streets but it was a bitter, bitter cold. Apparently, the tuba was also very cold to carry!

Close up of where he chose to sat, next to another girl from Altona but she's in 8th grade.

Again, you can barely see him behind that tuba!

And even worse finding him behind the now filled two rows in front of him! Our view of him the entire concert was his little head peeking out - thank goodness for that red hat he chose!

A few fun facts about this concert (besides being so cold by the end we could barely move!), they played in the middle of town next to the old post office in Oak Tree Plaza, 2 of his friends drove up with their family to see him, the conductor was the mayor of Loveland (a friendly rival town to Fort Collins), the youngest tuba player was 11 but beat Jaiden by only 3 months, the oldest player was 76! There was lots of other fun facts but my hands were way too cold to find paper that would be soggy and a pen that probably wouldn't write on soggy paper to jot them down. 

The best part? 

Listening to Jaiden excitedly talk the entire way home and ask can I do that again next year?