finally... officially 11!

Well, it's official. He didn't turn one...

He turned 11!  

Because all of us know the cookies are what makes it official! 

science fair

I was so excited when Mrs. Lange asked me to come in and take a few photos for the school yearbook... mostly because I was able to get a nice photo of Jaiden in front of his science project that he worked so hard on!

 But I also was able to capture a few classroom photos like Mrs. Lange reading to the class. I love how they sit, listening intently to her. I realize these days are nearing to end and watching these cute kids knowing that next year they will be roaming the halls of middle school is crazy to even consider. This has been a very special class and I know it has a lot to do with the teacher ... she is amazing!

 I showed up specifically for some recess photos. Mrs. Lange wanted some action photos for the yearbook but after recess, she chose groups of kids to go out and hang out, play, relax ... the kids loved it because it meant being outside and having fun. It was different from school work. I liked how she sent out specific close friends. And I liked that I caught this moment of Anthony, Jaiden and Muhaimmen. 

 I also loved this moment with Jaiden and Vika laughing. I will miss this, especially the stories that Jaiden comes home with about Vika. She is from the Ukraine and was adopted by a Thai family here in the US. Her stories are fascinating. 

Yes, 5th grade was a good year for Jaiden. I hold my breath for 6th grade...

district art show

The district art show is a huge event and one that we never really went to. Mainly because it was on a school night and Jaiden never had any art entered into the show. I am not even really certain how the district art show works, but what I do know was that Jaiden was shocked when he found out he had a piece in the art show... and slightly amused that after 5 years, he finally had a piece in the art show. 

To me, the funny part was that he didn't even know what piece was entered into the show?! So we decided to go find out during opening night, and he was even happy to pose next to it!

and I think he was a little proud of it too!

rubber band balistics

Sounds pretty official, doesn't it?

Until you realize, this guy is involved!

 Although I am not actually sure but I think Jaiden was trying to avoid the camera! They first started with writing their hypothesis. Leave it to Dennis to start it the official way... never mind I just told Alyssa to make salt solutions and see what happens!

Then it was to the basement, well technically, I think it was the garage first to build the launch platform, then to the basement to test the hypothesis. Don't ask me what the hypothesis was... something about how the length and thickness of a rubber band affect the distance it could be launched... yeah, that sounds good!

 So now to test it... this was his set up. I took several photos so he could use them on his board as well. But he did several launches with each rubber band to get a good basis for how far each rubber band could go.

He was also very specific on how many centimeters he pulled back. 

 And the official tape measure!

And a close up of the results!

This was the fun part of the science experiment, next was more writing and document the results... not Jaiden's favorite part!

iodized or non-iodized?

That is the question! For Alyssa's science fair project, that is!

We spent the weekend getting science fair projects together and this year, Alyssa decided to join in. She chose a question off the list of suggested science projects which was great since I was supposed to help her... and honestly? science isn't really my thing... that's why I married a scientist so he could do that stuff! But he was busy helping Jaiden.

Her project was to see which grew better salt crystals - iodized salt or non-iodized?

 First up was making the solutions to grow crystals. She carefully poured salt.

 And then of course, he came in to help her so he could be in the photo! I love how she watches so closely to make sure he pours the right amount of hot water.

 And then she mixes the solutions.

Her final product and the first stage of growing crystals!

Next up, Jaiden's project!

'ol time soda fountain...

My very last post on Steamboat. We skied 3 days on the Springalicious pass (Jaiden on his free 5th grade pass... way cool!) - totally awesome deal for $99 per person but also very risky given the weather was incredible and snow was ... well, not bad but couldn't have been a whole lot better. The condo we stayed was excellent and the price for that was incredible too... but again it was the first week of April, the last week Steamboat was open so you know it's the end of season prices! 

Anyway, we stayed 4 nights total so technically our last day in Steamboat was to check out and drive home, but I was told about a little secret in town. The ski resort is actually a few miles from town which I am sure the locals prefer and well, maybe not prefer. But the town is adorable. We have visited several times before in the summer months.

Before leaving town, we took a small detour to town... to the local drugstore.

 and Soda Fountain!

 The menu was like stepping back in time although the prices were 2015 for sure! 

 It was a little tricky taking a few photos. I really should work on my indoor and flash photography but I did capture a few fun photos.

 Jaiden and Ken with their treats. They almost look like they are reading the paper or something but I think they were checking out the menu.

 And Dennis checking his iPhone... ever since our visit to Cape Cod when my friend, Viv, pointed out how often Dennis was looking at his phone and took several photos of him, I think of her and take a photo too! It cracks me up, he is not so amused when he realizes what I am doing!

And an adorable old jukebox too!

Then it was homeward bound. We made one last stop before splitting up with our friends and that was in Dillon at the Dam Brewery where we get Dam cheeseburgers, Dam hot dogs and a Dam beer! We should never have introduced our kids to that place, but the food is good and it is next to the Dillon Dam!

Happy Spring break!

springalicious

Our ... sniff, sniff... last day of skiing!

One of the things that is pretty cool is when the shuttle drops us off, there are wagons nearby that we can load up our skis and poles and then pull through the square to where the gondola line is. It's pretty nifty and today, I brought my nice camera in hopes of catching some good photos of the kids.

 My first photo of the kids pulling the wagon is pretty typical. Skiing with kids is low key and I am so glad I figured that out early on. I don't rush them, I just slowly keep moving them in the right direction. This photo reminds me that walking in ski boots isn't easy or comfortable and having a wagon to pull our gear is awesome!

Onto to the gondola and up the mountain we go...

Alyssa and Ellie and those pigtails cracked me up!

 Jaiden and Ken all smiles and ready to get on the slopes!

And they are off! Actually, I like waiting until everyone has headed down the mountain before I start. My main reason is because I can then ski at my normal speed which tends to be fast. I can't really help it. I love that feeling. But my side benefit is I get to capture a few fun photos like these. I notice in this photo that Jaiden must also really enjoy that fast feeling of flying down the mountain, chasing friends, and whooping it up. I wonder if I should be concerned?!

 While this one (Miss Alyssa) is a lot more cautious. She tends to freak out a little easier and I have to remain very calm and coax her over to the cat trails or find the easiest way down for her. This run is a blue run but it's steep so she will take her time. The nice thing about her though is she is learning control and good skiing form.

 We made it back over to Sunnyside. From the gondola, it's kind of a roundabout way mainly because the direct way over is no longer open ... aka not enough snow on the trails. This photo is at the top of Sunnyside and the valley behind the kids is Steamboat Springs cowboy country. I just love the views and the wide open blue skies and the fact that Ellie is always trying to photobomb and her pigtails are out of control!

 Another view of everyone flying down the mountain. Even these runs, Alyssa gets a little crazier. She knows them and she is comfortable on them. And I want to remember this... 

 I want to remember the cuteness of Alyssa skiing on the flatter area with her arms wide open, smiling and looking like she feels the freedom of that sensation of skis slipping down the slope. She is happy!

 I can't remember if Jaiden stopped or if he is still moving in this photo but he too is happy, happy! Especially since I gave him my lining of my coat and he didn't have to wear his heavy coat!

 And Dennis is right behind him. I think we are lucky that we both enjoy skiing so much. I think he is lucky that I am patient and motivated to keep taking the kids skiing knowing one day they will be in love with skiing like we are... and on this trip, I can see the kids are already closer to skiing our preferred terrain - steeper, powder, moguls, more skilled skiing, not as much groomed runs. Even Alyssa is leaps and bounds where she was last year or the year before when I pulled her out of her Blue level ski class and put her back down to Green level because she was scared. I knew it was step backwards but I also knew it was more important for her to have fun... I need her to enjoy skiing so we can all go as a family. This trip showed me she is ready and having fun!

 Speaking of that cutie, here she is on our last run down the mountain, the face of Steamboat mountain. It's steep and long and she is doing awesome! Behind her is the view of the ski resort and part of the actual town of Steamboat Springs. 

And we made it! We wrapped it up a little earlier than the rest but what was funny is that they ended up being right behind us! The cloud coverage came over, the wind picked up and well, the snow was quite slushy so calling it quits at 2:00 sounded like a good plan!

We loved Steamboat... we will definitely be back but not necessarily for Springalicious!

strawberry hot springs...

Second day skiing was just as beautiful weather. There were several very icy patches so it was tricky finding the sides that had softened in the sun but not so softened that we had to swim down the mountain!  

We ended the day a little earlier and headed to Strawberry Hot Springs. The drive to the springs was a little crazy and we could see why they don't recommend most cars going especially during the winter months. But once we got there?

 It was incredible! An all natural hot springs just like the many we have been to in Alaska and Canada. 

 Each pool had slightly varying temperatures. The river that ran beside the hot springs was frigid but swimmable if one was inclined to do so. And of course, Alyssa was inclined...

 She jumped in several times...

 ... and every time came out smiling!

 I love this particular photo of Alyssa warming up on the rocks, apparently the springs were too hot for her!!

 Then Jaiden snuck into our friend's family photo!

 One last look back to the hot springs as we walked out of the ravine. It was so beautiful!

On our way down the crazy, bumpy dirt almost non-existent road, I realized we could see the resort so I took a quick photo. I had not realized how big the mountain really was. The irony is Alyssa's favorite area is Sunnyside, and it is technically on the other side! So that gives you an idea just how crazy huge this ski resort is!

9, 10.... 11?

... and then he turned 11!

 He was all smiles today! For his 11th birthday, we spent the day skiing at Steamboat Springs... if you ask me, that is a pretty rockin' birthday. And by the looks of that smile, I am pretty certain he thought so too!

Here we are heading up to the top of the mountain in the gondola.

 Our friends joined us for the ski adventure too! Jaiden is with Ken and my dear friend, Noriko.

Then across the way is Mark, Ellie and Alyssa!

 This photo makes me laugh. I think I was trying to nab one of him with my iPhone on his birthday on the slopes and I love how Noriko and Ellie photobomb him!

 The skiing was by far the slushiest Spring skiing ever! But the sun was out, it was warm... almost hot, good friends and on skis... life is good!

When we got back, we, of course had to do the proper celebration ...

His choice this year of cake was rocky road ice cream cake so I made one for him. I think it turned out pretty good as it was hard to cut just like I thought it should be! I didn't actually eat any as I am so not a fan of Rocky Road but the birthday boy and everyone else loved it.

So there it is... Jaiden's 11th birthday!