how she rolls... I mean, swims...

As Alyssa got out of the car tonight, I thought I absolutely must capture this... because this is how she goes to swim practice... 

... goggles, swimsuit, bathrobe and flip flops... 

and yes, even when there is snow on the ground!

the mile...

So if it isn't snow, it's going to pour rain like nobody's business and spoil another track meet! 

Dennis got to the meet before Alyssa and I and he managed to catch Jaiden running his 1 mile event.

I am not sure I would like to run a mile (although I do) but especially in a race and in the rain. Shortly after this, the meet was cancelled so I still didn't get to see him run his 400 or 800 meters. Hopefully, next time!

happy easter!

Personally, I think we should have left the eggs un-dyed and made it even more challenging! But the Easter Bunny was able to strategically hide the eggs regardless!

The funny thing is that kids were going to walk in the deep snow in the back yard when there was absolutely no tracks of any sort! I found this extremely laughable especially when I questioned them about it and Alyssa said "maybe the Easter Bunny can hover!"

In the end, Alyssa still spots the eggs quicker than Jaiden and this year, we found all 11 eggs... despite that I was certain we had started with 12 eggs. Jaiden confirmed Alyssa ate one the night before.

Later we had Granny Suze and Papu over for Easter brunch. It turned out to be a lovely day and a perfect way to celebrate Easter!

more skiing...

I told you we got slammed on Wednesday, well, we got hit again Friday night and this morning but that didn't stop us from heading up the mountain to see if we could find some champagne powder!

All bundled up and ready to go!

We went with friends so I got to hang with Alyssa and give her lots of one on one! It always surprises me how she keeps going even when it's hard to see and the snow just won't quit!

We then met up with our friends and Jaiden and tried out the terrain park.

Alyssa was so cute. She followed the boys down the terrain park but anytime there was a jump or rail or box, she would ski off to the side!

Whereas Tyler and Jaiden went for all of them...

again and again... 

It's hard to see Jaiden in this next photo but he's mid air in the bright yellow coat against the trees... not in the trees!

For our last few runs, the snow had finally let up and we were having a good time. One more run... well, that was our misfortune. Here we are stuck on the chairlift with Steven and Rebecca for get this... 45 minutes!

While Jaiden and Tyler had just the right amount of luck in being only 3 chairs in front of us but they were able to get off... so they skied the half pipe and then, hiked back up the half pipe! Two little specks just to right of the first Woodward flag.

They took a break from hiking to sit on the ledge and wait for us! I need to remember to ask Rebecca to send me that photo she took! I bet she had a cool angle from where she was!

So our day ended after a long wait on the chair. I had to laugh that they gave us free one day ski tickets to use on our next visit but the problem for us is that we have season passes so it doesn't really matter! Rebecca and I thought free hot chocolate would have been a better compensation!

woot, woot... crazy snow day!

Woke up to another crazy snow day but this time it was even crazier than before because it didn't really start snowing hard until about 6:30 am and thank goodness, the school district took a risk and cancelled school for the day because in less than 4 hours, maybe 3 hours, this is what our backyard looked like!

So what do you do on an unexpected snow day?

Rent movies.

Try to drive your husband to meet his friend so they can attempt to drive to the airport. 

Spend almost 2 hours trying to find a way home where the roads weren't closed.

Get home and find these two enjoying their movies...

Decide a batch of Gramma's chocolate peanut butter cookies sounds really good!

Work on origami thank you notes.

And be so thankful that we are home enjoying yet another unexpected day off from all the craziness of school, after school activities, work, working out, errands and whatever else we seem to fill our days with.

As for Dennis? He and Stein never made it out but luckily the storm was swift and their drive home many hours later was much safer than the drive trying to get to the airport! Maybe next time for those two.

Can't wait for the next big storm!

woof, woof

How much is that doggy in the window?

I do hope that doggy's for sale...

I can't seem to get that song out of my head while planning and preparing for Alyssa's birthday party. I found some adorable dog party themed decorations while I was out collecting supplies yesterday and I adore how they add to the festivities.

The first step for the girls was to "adopt" a dog.

We had doggy bags to take home the goodies. (Got to love clip art, right?)

I had Alyssa choose a Whole Foods yummy chocolate cake... I needed easy with all the prep I was doing for her birthday party and my original cupcake idea was going to be one of those Pinterest fails ... I was certain of it. So since there wasn't a dog themed cake, I figure some cute napkins and plates might do the trick?

Second stop for the girls was to create "collars" for their dogs.

And the collars were a hit! They turned out so cute!

Next up was a type of game sort of like a relay but I had to make sure I was clear it wasn't a race since we were stuck indoors with all that darn snow!

It started with hiding a rawhide.

Lapping water out of bowl (I missed that photo opportunity)

Eating a dog bone on a string

And teaching each other a trick!

The girls loved the bone on a string... no hands allowed.

And so did the boy!

The girls also played a game of pin the paw on the dog but as it happened I missed that part as I was busy with the next preparations and also helping a girl who suddenly felt the need to go home.

But I was able to catch a few photos as they decorated their sugar cookie dog bones and paws!

In between that, we also had a fun dinner of ... of course, hot dogs, fruit salad and chili which they had to eat out of their dog bowls!

And time for cake!

I think the party was a success. This sweet 10 year old was very happy at the end of it all... next year though, I need to increase the time a little. I felt like we were really rushing through it all and we didn't get to do the origami dogs either!

fortune and misfortune

This afternoon, I was working on my computer while the snow carried on. Out of the corner of my eye, I must have noticed a commotion or something because when I looked up, I swore I saw a hawk in my yard. I grabbed my camera and sure enough it was a Ferruginous hawk! 

I tried a few photos through the screen with my small lens but it wasn't working too well so I thought could my fortune really work that this hawk will stay put so I can get my bigger lens?

Sure enough, I was in luck and I quietly opened my sliding door and when I zoomed in, I noticed it was the dove's misfortune to meet the hawk! I watched for a good 15 minutes as this hawk managed to kill and eat the entire dove!

It was pretty amazing and a little gross but lucky for you I didn't crop in so you could see the details... of course, I zoomed in on my computer screen to see what exactly I was capturing!

So today was my fortune and the dove's misfortune, and as Dennis said when he got home and I showed him the photos "It was a visit from our old dear friend, Wayne."

double digits

Today is the official day this cutie turned 10! Just where did 10 years go?

For school, we now can only supply store bought treats so she chose these super yummy fruit bars to share with her classmates.

She came home to decorations, a few presents and homemade pumpkin pie!

Happy girl!

Got to love how Sophie always photo bombs her birthday photos! These two are truly inseparable!

And then it was a quick ride to Apple.

To get her new iPod Nano that she has been waiting for for 2 years! Apparently, when we got one for Jaiden's 10th birthday, I told her she would have to wait until she was 10! She has been pinning for one ever since!

And that was her delightful 10th birthday!

Hippo birdies two ewes, sweet girl!

snow cave adventures

Dennis and Jaiden left Saturday morning to the mountains for another snow adventure with the Boy Scouts... except this time it was building snow caves to sleep in!

I also think Dennis decided to be a little more prepared and he order him and Jaiden each a bivy to sleep in. They also decided to try those freeze dried camping meals. Before Jaiden left, I was teasing him about bunking with his friend, Anthony. I jokingly said this way Anthony can dig out your snow cave (at the last snow campout, Anthony helped Jaiden set up his tent!) and to my surprise, I was texted this photo...

Just what I thought... Anthony doing the work and Jaiden giving the thumbs up!

This next photo was Dennis' second snow cave! Apparently, his first snow cave he had almost completed before 10 am but he got a little too cocky and joked about heading into town to get some coffee. Shortly after that, it caved in on him so he had to start over!

And this is Jaiden, Anthony and Ben's snow cave! Got to love the tree ambiance!

Alyssa and I were happy to sleep in our warm beds in our warm house but we did get up ridiculously early to head to her swim meet!

Just a couple of photos of her...

She did great. I think she may have place 5th or 6th... lol! The best part is she doesn't mind what place she gets, she just loves to swim and for me, that is delightful!

crazy 'bout horses

Photo warning: Lots of them!

I had no idea that Alyssa was crazy 'bout horses until I took her and a friend to the horse show at the Western State Complex in Denver. I had thought it sounded interesting as it was part of a Girl Scout event combined too. Some parts were more interesting than other parts especially when they got to be next to the horses!

This dog and horse are really good friends!

This horse was so beautiful and gentle.

Inside the girls tried our horse aerobatics! 

I hope she isn't considering asking to do this!

And then we went to the Girl Scout part where they learned all about the horse and the various equipment used to care for horses.

Even learning how to be around a horse.

And finally the best part? Riding the horse!

This, of course, means that I will be signing her up for a week long horse camp this summer!