The Warmth

Had a relatively low key week and weekend...Lily is officially registered for kindergarten, six months away! We got a visit from Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom on Friday, and Grandma Gail came over again on Monday to take Lily to gymnastics and join us for dinner. We had relatively nice weather on Sat and Sun, and Lily was all about short sleeves even though it was still a little chilly. The kids had fun playing in the backyard, and had a semi-picnic with the tent, blankets, food, books, cards, and their new chairs and hula hoops - we even had a mock easter egg hunt, which even Daisy enjoyed when she got her jaws on an egg and ran crazily around the backyard with us in chase.

Enjoy the few pics we have!


Showing off the new wares ... two hula hoops and matching chairs.


Kicking back.


Horsing around.


Inside the tent.


Catching some rays.


Enjoying the nice weather.

Thunder on the Mountain

Two weeks since our last post so there is a lot to update.

We survived the snow and headed out to Colorado for a visit with Tracy, Stan, Casey and Kelly and some skiing and tubing. We had a great time visiting and relaxing. We had a chance to ski for 3.5 days - Keystone twice, Breckenridge once and a half day at Arapahoe Basin. Lily spent two days in ski school and had a chance to ski with rest of us for two half days. Jack hung out with his cousin Casey and went to school with her for two days. He seemed to have a good time after getting over his initial apprehension.

Lily had a good time a ski school but it was a bit colder this year so she was a bit moodier on the mountain. After an initial hiccup on her first day of school (not quite ready for the mountain right away) but by the end of the trip she was skiing down blue runs without problem. By next year, with Jack and Casey on skis, she will probably have even more fun.

Lil continues to be an expert flier and enjoys traveling. Jack remains a bit of a trouble maker on the plane. After about an hour he is bored and ready to wander. A 3+ hour flight is killer and Marcy continues to earn motherhood saint points for dealing with him - he is a handful. We hear back to Colorado in May for Aunt Kelly's graduation

We returned home ready for the end of the week and came upon a pet tragedy - Charlie and Charlie who had been with us from the county fair for more than a year and half did not survive while we were away. Despite being fed, they just did not have the will to live without Lil around and they moved on to the great koi pond in the sky. It was quite sad for her but she seem to recover by the next day and she used them as motivation for her art. Daisy was happy we were back but missed spending quality time with her sister Ginger who she visited with while we were gone.

We had a busy weekend to catch up on errands and rest. We had a chance to visit with friends Purnima, Selvin and their new baby Sowmiya and Lily had a chance to see her friend Madeline's new baby sister Eliza.

Anyway, on to the pictures and video ... but before we get there ... Birthday wishes go out to Uncle Stan this week.


Little drummer boy.


On the lift with her teacher.


Reading to the little ones.


Hanging out in the shower - a favorite spot.


On the gondola.


Three of us.


A trip down the mountain.


Snacking away.


Ready to go to school.


Getting ready to go down our first Black Diamond run ... the snow is a bit deep here.


Not sure what happened to this picture but we ran into Lil's class on the mountain on one of our last runs.


Jack skiing while the rest of us were tubing.


Lily helping Jack out on skis.


Jack and Casey.


The trip summary @ the school news feed when we returned.


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Daisy relaxing after a tough day ... she is growing fast.

All The Tired Horses

Exhaustion has set in. Two giant snowstorms, eleven days at home without school or Beatrice, early mornings, cabin fever and potty training a dog in a blizzard ... ready for vacation?

So, we survived the Snowpocalypse, the Snowmageddon but we are beaten down by the weather. There is still close to two feet on the ground and it has made getting around and playing outside a chore. Needless, to say, we are ready to head out to some more snow in Colorado on Thursday.

The week that was was spent indoors and playing out in the snow and watching movies and playing in the basement and re-stocking on provisions when the wether allowed. In and around the week there were some play dates and a trip to Disney on Ice. Other than that, not much to report. We are all ready to get back to the routine.

No blog next week. See you when we get back.


A view out the back.


A little dressing up.


On a mountain of snow.


A little perspective on the amount of snow.


Some icicles.


Playing outside...


The Princess and the chicken.


Jack watching the Olympics, Daisy watching Jack.


Taking in Disney ...

Cold Feet

Snowmaggedon, Snownortious B.I.G., Snowtacular, whatever you want to call it, we got a lot of snow - definitely about two feet, maybe more!

We have not left the house since Friday morning when we made a quick trip to the grocery store and got Lily a haircut - cabin fever has definitely set in! The snow began as predicted around 10am on Friday and did not stop until Saturday evening. Lily and Jack have been having a blast, especially since Dad and our neighbor Mr. Greg built a snow fort/igloo in our front yard, which also includes a sledding hill. Lily especially has been outside every hour possible, and Jack has been taking some good naps. We have been in the snow for three days straight, doing lots of shoveling and playing, including Daisy who has learned to love the snow! Tomorrow the fun will continue as work and school continues to be closed, and there are 10-20 inches predicted beginning tomorrow morning.

Lily and Jack want to send out special birthday hugs and kisses to Bubbie who is celebrating her birthday on Sunday, and wants to send out Happy Valentines wishes to everyone else!

Enjoy the pics and video!


Lounging around on a snowy Friday afternoon.


The Snow Fort 2.0 - Lily, Bess and Madeline.


Jack checking out the snow fort.


Playing around in the snow.


Lil's first snowboarding attempt.


Some snow perspective.


Taking a walk.


The walk.


Deep snow.


Jack was holding a snowball, and kept saying 'Snowball Fight.'


A short talk.


This is where he was sitting - he just plopped down to take it all in.

White as Snow

One week with Daisy in the books and I think that we will all tell you she is a lot of work. In addition to regular puppy issues, we have had some interesting weather here to add to the task. Last Sunday it rained all day and she did not enjoy that and this weekend it snowed about four inches. So, enough with the weather.

The kids are getting used to having the pooch around and she has been pretty good at night. That being said, she has been a lot of work during the day and Marcy has been busy taking her out quite regularly. Even with diligent efforts, Daisy appears to have the bladder of small field mouse and she has been making a few messes in the house. Thank goodness there is not much carpet in the house :) Kudos to Marcy who has borne the brunt of the thankless task of potty training.

Anyway, as we adjust, life goes on. The kids are doing well and had a busy week of activities and play dates. Lily had time to play with Madeline, Hayley and Cole and her friend Claire from school. Lily continues to do ballet at school and started gymnastics again today. She is busy busy and is rocketing towards kindergarten.

Jack is staying busy with Beatrice but is ready to go to school with Lily. He is talking a ton and is learning stuff so quickly that we all collectively shake our heads sometimes (Lily included) with the things that come out his mouth. Last night, Lily was singing along with the radio and Jack told her to "Stop singing". Lot's of long car trips ahead of us!

Anyway, that is all for now, onto the pics.


Checking out Cole's snowboard.


Ready for some sledding.


Daisy investigating her toy basket.


Princesses.


Group coloring.


They got in their themselves.