One more picture from Howelsen Hill

Last run of the night, Luke wanted to tube alone.

"Spin or no spin?" the guy holding onto him asked.

"Spin!" Luke said. "Lots of spin!"

We've got a little daredevil on our hands...

Grace in small things, marshmallow making edition (December 13, 2016)

1. Kids helping me make marshmallows from scratch this morning, one of our Christmas traditions...love making things with them for others vs having Christmas be all about getting...and, minimal mess this time, unlike last year when the mixer went wild and I got marshmallow all over the kitchen, lol...
2. Trying something new with a chore chart...kids get to add a sticker for each chore they complete and if they get all the stickers for the day they get some TV or iPAD time the next. Trying to stop getting angry/frustrated with them all day long for not getting dressed when I ask, not picking up their toys when I ask, not putting on boots and buckling into the car when I ask, not brushing their teeth when I ask, etc. The plan is no more yelling, just ask once and there is a sticker or not. Kids and I are excited (and they both got all their stickers today)...fingers crossed this helps...
3. Today's snowboarding and walk plans both got canceled, giving my day some much-needed breathing room...
4. Work done on schedule...
5. Snowy evening dog walk with the kids...

XOXO

Howelsen Hill Ski Area Community Christmas Party

The best time at Howelsen Hill Sunday evening, with Christmas carols and cookies and hot chocolate, fires to get warm next to, a real live camel, Santa arriving in a fire truck, sirens blaring and lights flashing, and the tubing! Oh my gosh Bubs and I had so much fun...

XO

Grace in small (and big) things, December 12, 2016

1. Bubs playing DJ at breakfast-time (after he and Sis "helped" make the scrambled eggs)
2. A new baby girl enters the world...so thrilled for her AMAZING mommy and daddy...
3. Some good strong sun on my mid-day dog walk...felt good...
4. Cleaned out some bathroom drawers and cupboards...always satisfying...
5. Picking up Bub's left-behind snow pants...walking to the car with these little pants in my hand...thinking about how I'm so grateful my life includes little snow pants...

XOXO

Grace in small things: In which we get stuck in a ditch edition

1. X-mas shopping with Bubs downtown today in the snow...he worked so hard considering all his options for Sis...he's so excited about the present he got her...
2. Lots of Christmas-y things accomplished today, including wrapping some presents and getting them under the tree (they look so pretty!) and getting my Christmas Card list in order...always a balance because I want to do fun stuff like snowboard or take the kids to play in the snow but I don't feel good if things feel out of control around the house (and/or with work)...really glad I spent today getting on top of things...
3. Community Christmas party at Howelsen Hill this evening...it was magical...so much fun...
4. ...followed by us taking the back way (River Road) home and getting stuck in a ditch...it rained and then snowed last night so the roads are as scary as I've seen them...but the good things about getting stuck were: We were all fine, the car was fine, we have roadside assistance and a tow truck was there in about 45 minutes, it was a great adventure for the kids to get to see a tow truck in action, and almost everyone who passed us stopped to see if they could help which reminded me of one of the many reasons I love love love living in small-town Colorado...
5. My husband helping with feeding the dog, taking the dog out, getting the kids into bed, making the coffee for the morning etc. when we finally got home...appreciate him so much...

XOXO

Snow and construction...

Bubs on a sled...

Santa 2016!

We went to see Santa in his study on a crazy-snowy Saturday this year. Zo's always been a little shy about visiting Santa (she wouldn't go in unless her Dady went with her and stood nearby)...Luke not so much.

Zo asked for a pony named "Pinkie" and a huge stuffed cupcake--pink with rainbow sprinkles of course. Luke had a long list of stuff to tell Santa about including a racetrack that glows in the dark and an amphibious vehicle. Santa was happy to listen since there were no kids waiting.

Zo made a comment about Drowner and we explained to Santa that that was her imaginary fox.

"Oh," said Santa. "We have foxes up where I live. They're white."

"That's because they're arctic foxes," Luke explained to Santa.

Thanks for the visit, Santa! Good times...

XOXO

Sledding with friends...

Delightful little sledding party with friends yesterday...so fun...

XO

First couple days on the mountain...