Christmas in the Mountains - Day #4

Micah and Zoey enjoying their books before bed. It's a GLORIOUS thing that both of them can now read! A smiling Micah in the gondola, on the way up the mountain.
Zoey riding up the gondola - it was a beautiful, clear day at the top of the mountain.

Dave, expressing his frustration during lunch at the top of the mountain - whining children, long wait for a table, overpriced food! EEEEEKKKKK!!!
Zoey decided to take off her skis and just slide around (near the lift line). After this photo was taken, she realized how difficult it is to walk in the slippery snow in only ski boots, so she had a minor meltdown. Of course, she's had worse meltdowns. (Perhaps the cold snow kept her from getting too hot under the collar.)

Christmas in the Mountains - Days #2 & #3

We've made it to the mountain and are getting some great skiing! Here's Dave all ready to hit the slopes:

Zoey, geared up and ready to report to ski school (we put them in for the first day and they did great!)
After day #1 on the slopes, we were all tired and ready for nice soak in the hot tub.
The start of day #2 and our first day down the whole mountain as a family unit. Quite an adventure! (It took us about 1 1/2 hours.)
Zoey riding up the mountain on the gondola.
Susan and Micah on the gondola.

Dave and Zoey on the gondola.

Half way down the mountain we stopped for a break and a photo op - Micah actually leaned toward his sister and put his arm around her. I think he must be getting used to Mom's picture taking.

Christmas in the Mountains - Day #1

Here we are in Colorado, spending Christmas in the mountains where there is snow that lasts for months, rather than hours (as is the case in Columbus.) We flew into Denver, had a night in a hotel with a pool and spent the morning swimming before heading up the mountain to Keystone Resort. Dave threw the kids in the pool several times while I watched from the warmth of the jacuzzi. Being from really overcast Ohio, we just aren't used to the sunlight gleaming off of the snow. When we came out of the grocery store, Micah was nearly blinded (okay, a little dramatic) and had us lead him to the car while he covered his eyes. We decided to take a little detour to Super Target to acquire good skiing sunglasses for us all. It became a natural photo opportunity.
I always make a point of putting the camera in Dave's hands at least a few times while we are on vacation so we can get some shots of me with the kids. Basically so that if I die, they won't forget what I look like. I know, a bit morbid, isn't it?
When we were driving up the mountain, there was a sign for "Big Horn sheep viewing" so we decided to be spontaneous and give it a try. We followed the sign down this long road that was pretty snow covered. Finally we arrived at a little outpost that had telescopes aimed at the mountainside. We put in our 25 cents and scanned the mountains for the creatures. After about a minute, I realized the futility and headed for the warmth of the car. Dave and the kids braved it out for a little longer before giving up and returning to the car as well. We then headed back to the interstate and right there, on the entrance ramp to I-70, was the beautiful creature pictured below. We pulled over and snapped a few photos while he casually continued to munch at the dead stuff on the ground. As we continued on our way, we saw several others perched on the cliffs by the roads. I guess they're pretty common.
Parts of our day NOT pictured here:

• Our waiting in line at the ski rental place FOREVER.
• The kids near meltdown inside the ski rental place.
• Zoey's total meltdown outside the ski rental place when I told her that she could not ski back to the condo.
• All of our frustration when we realize there was something wrong with our equipment locker and, therefore, had to lug all of our skis, boots, poles, etc. up to our condo.
• Mine and Dave's meltdown and threatening of the kids as we tried to settle them down at bedtime (I think we're all a bit tired!)

The Revenge of a Little Sister

It started as an innocent romp in the newly fallen snow... Then, she saw here opportunity (the look says it all, doesn't it?)...
"He'll never see me coming because he's so distracted by the snow and fun. And, he would never suspect me!" Says Zoey...

"And, if I miss with the snowball, I'll whack him with this stick!"
"EEEKKK! This is NOT how I intended to have things go!"
"Okay, we really do love each other afterall!" (A little blury, I know. But it's not easy to get these two to pose together in a nice way!)

Leaves and fun in the backyard

When we moved into our house 10 years ago, there were no trees in the yard and, therefore, no leaves to rake in the fall. Finally our trees have grown enough so we can rake up big piles of leaves for the kids to jump into. Zoey was pretty happy about the whole thing. Of course, Dave and the kids jumped in the pile, but never actually bagged the leaves, so there they sit in our yard. It snowed this week, so they will soon be decomposed into a wet, sloppy mess where they will undoubtedly create a big eyesore in our yard come spring. But alas, our entire yard is pretty much an eyesore most of the time, thanks to the kids "creative gardening". Micah has been working hard on his football skills. When it's not too cold, he and Dave go out back to "run plays". He's very serious.

Hockey!

We are now learning hockey! The kids are participating in a rec center sponsered program for city kids. It's a lot of fun.

Dave has been helping out with both the Friday night "learn to skate" program and the Saturday morning "learn to play" program. This is ironic because he's really the one learning to skate and play. But, I guess they'll take any help they can get!

I think getting all the equipment, including pads, helmets and jerseys, made Zoey's year. She was so thrilled with all the equipment that she wore her helmet constantly for the first couple of days after she got it.