Things that matter - to me

Being able to take a run Tuesday morning with my girls - talking about God, family, death, kids - and the made me do 5.5 miles - changing my whole day

snapping this beautiful photo on a whim and being able to spend the time with this lady - even if we were organizing C&H bills.

The moment here when my house is quiet and I have the time to curl up on the circle chair and put together a few projects on the mobile office.

Kids at school

Love moments like these - I taught Nick how to make these sweet blankets and he made one for his teacher who is headed out on maternity leave with her first baby.  He was so happy to make a gift of love - thrilled that another momma captured this photo for me and passed it along.

New here the boys go for immigration day - time to board the boat and head to American.  Or catch a ride with Mr. Barber =)  Benecio is a fisherman and Nick is riding 3rd class with his son (not in the laundry bag)

Shane teacher sent me this photo that same day - 

Love

transfer over to swim -

So just like that we transfer from snow to swimming - - muggy hot area - lots of kiddo and racing suits.

Nick rocked his races and I love how the winter swim league really just pushed him that extra bit!  Gave him one more tool in the Nick tool box and lots of good buddies too.

This is the 50 Free - fast race - Nick is second from the wall (no swim cap!)

https://youtu.be/DcY7Cu0--t0

Since my dad was in Florida traveling (hopefully wearing sunscreen!)- Shane was happy to fill in as the man of the house for Oma Sue.  He was also first one to the birthday party the next morning - that NEVER happens when I am in charge!

The 100IM that Chris recorded on Sunday - Nick is in the middle - thankful his goggles stayed on!

https://youtu.be/nznaptTK2rE

O.k., one more

Ever try finding the right shoe, or slipper?  Well I ordered 5 pair from Zappos, 4 from Kohls and returned them all for these from Sierra trading post - most affordable of them all and made me feel a bit like cinderella - 

Yes, one more time - Friday is our work day - and while a few of us got some lessons (1 hour for me) I want to remember racing norestern to canyon, to pan to tom to pad a poose again and again.  The bumps, the crew the rain and begging the bar to open so we could just have one more!

I will say we don't get paid tons of money, but the way a job like this fills your soul is like nothing else.  this photo for me is a treasure - 

We had one more beautiful day - it was Sunday and GORGEOUS!  We all went.  The conditions were amazing, the weather was warm and it felt like we knew everyone on our little mountain.

Michigan even beat Louisville to make it to the sweet 16 in the tournament (we listened while in the parking lot) I only wish I had a Michigan shirt on especially as we hang with our Michigan Buddies!

Nick did gun barrel COUNTLESS times and since he was in all orange - was recognized by lots of our friends as he rocked it.  The trails were AWESOME

Love this photo with little maddie - have ponies, will travel!

a great night at Petes Pizza and exactly how I want to remember life at Ski Sundown.

Drew's Cross country skiing do-over

Yup - he remembers the video of him screaming as Nick passed him - so when I asked who wanted to go again - he was the only one to say yes - and he requested a video -

So here it is you strong willed brutiful child.

https://youtu.be/5ab87sIjwNg

What's one more - SNOW DAY!

Due to the large amount of snow and the ice that fell later that evening and snow removal being a challenge in the big parking lots and streets - we had another snow day (or really because they felt that last summer was WAY too long)  

I told the boys we could be the first ones to Ski Sundown 

- but I needed their help - 

never seen such motivation - 

Shane was rocking the PBJs (one Nutella for him), Nick was mixing the hot chocolate and Drew was peeling the carrots - (all in their long undies - best part!) 

I even offered to bring a 4th boy - we love Ryan!  AND that morning I got a text from Heidi that she Waylon and Madelyn could meet us there.

Check out this innovation - (not sure why he wouldn't smile....) no one gave him this idea - I only asked him to peel carrots.  He got his stool and placed it on the foot of the garbage can to keep it open.  Seriously, I was amazed and LOVED it!

Ski Sundown was in their glory - and it felt awesome.  everyone was HAPPY to do their job.  Loved loved loved being their with the kiddos.  So happy for this little mountain!  photographers were there, lots of folks were on the lift talking about the work call they needed to get back for or the 'hookie' they were playing from work.  

I LOVED seeing our neighbors there and even our principal.  Mr. Robin - he went up to Nick and Ryan saying - "Is this better than being in school??"  to which they answered yes - "Than remember that in June!"

This little boarder ROCKED the moguls.

Sundown took a gamble to made snow in March (expensive and rarely done) but with February as mild as it was, it kept them open.  They even 'seeded' moguls 4 days before this storm - amazing luck! 

 With the crust of ice on Tuesday, the first few runs down these trails were VERY challenging.  By the time I finally got to them with Ryan and Nick (leaving Drew and Shane with Heidi holding down home base) they were perfect!

Look at these guys rock it

https://youtu.be/Rl2INkQ8hx0

I still love watching this video

It was seriously awesome.

Yes, I normally wear a helmet - however as we unloaded the mini van at the slope - guess who forgot theirs....

Anyone see a blue helmet in this photo??

These 2 were peas in a pod - 

And good bubble blowers.

Happy to sit on the sundeck too (if only they sold beer there!)

By the time the afternoon was over - THEY were exhausted.

Me too - school tomorrow right?!?!?

Prep for the big day - AND the big Day

We can't make this stuff up, its just too good.  Sure, its a bit late (we REALLY like snow in January and February) but if it comes late in March, we will still take it.  Pretty sure this was NOT photo shopped.

I so wish we had a sledding hill in our back yard - mostly because our kids are happy to go outside in a snow storm - and this would keep them out that much longer - so here is how we prepped.  Hoping to build a terrain park in our back yard.

Chris commented that most folks don't prop things up against their deck - in hopes of protecting it....

We let the girls out for one more romp before the snow.

Nick wanted a quick photo shoot with his girls - 

Anyone notice the different hat??  His patriots hat has been MIA for about a week.  his buddies think its fun to take it off and toss it somewhere - (mostly to a few ladies) its been found in their back packs.  Last one was found (by her mom) in Kendal's back pack - I will say, it was 5 days AFTER this photo that Izzy returned Nick's hat

Well here is Nick with his lady - Gertie

What a difference a mere 10 hours makes - Apparently the Passat got the short stick on this snow storm.

I gotta admit the snow was BEAUTIFUL.  LOTS of it, thick and fluffy - the kids played for AWHILE trudging just along the fence line.  It was exhausting.  But they never complained.  We walked along the street (that wasn't really plowed til 3 which is just fine with us!)  Loved having the Barbers close by and walking over to their house - sledded along their side yard and than built tunnels along the corner - 

I ADORE this photo - the house was quiet and bright with snow all around.

And this one coloring - be still me heart!

THIS GUY - is insane!  This may be the snow storm that convinced him we may need a snow blower - he went out several times to stay ahead of the snow, but it wasn't enough.  Our 3 car driveway quickly went down to a one car.

I do not blame him AT ALL - and am amazed he got that far.  Nothing was more punishing that watching the snow plow come by and add to the end of the driveway.  Plus since the ground was warm there was a layers of wet slush that was VERY heavy!

I was in charge of the walk way - I declared - no amount of Body Pump gets you ready for heavy snow like this - sure it was more compacted from the solar panels above - bit it was PUNISHING!  Our 3' walkway went down to 1'!

And I had to bribe someone to help!

The rock star of the snow storm - this 14 year old pooch who never vocals complained for for those that know her, know she is very vocal.  She went out, walked down her ramp, walked down her stairs, made it a good 10" and used the potty - outside - every time.  She may have bad gas, but she is a good dog.

We all slept VERY good that day.

The total amount of snow, somewhere between 18/19"

My folks Anniversary is March 14th - great day to be stuck at home!  

Happy Anniversary =)!

Kids to work day

I used to think CT could handle the snow - until I moved to Canton.  Sure the roads are windy - but geesh, we have plows....  Well friday we were expected to get 3-5 inches of snow - right when the buses were to run..... So school got cancelled.  And I had to work at Sundown.  

SO......  I brought 2 with me! 

Love that they are so independent that they can run the mountain almost safely on their own!  These 2 have come a LONG way!

Gotta admit - the conditions were awesome.  They got more snow up there - mostly because its melting on all our driveways since the weather was so warm and the roads aren't frozen.  At least on the packed powder of sundown the flakes feel at home and stick around.

I did have a few lessons of some first time folks who were excited to fall in love with skiing (they were from Mississippi!) - so it was a win win for all!  My only wish was that I didnt have to bring the head cold with me.....  

It was Chris's day just after his foam test to clean up and put stuff back together - he unexpectedly worked to 10 that night and all day Saturday - boo - but the life of a business owner - 

Here is the hot ride he was waiting on Friday night and than driving on Saturday morning - its a mini zamboni!

I figured the best way to get over my head cold after teaching pump, was headed to Lego Batman with this crew!  We all loved it!  especially the pit stop at Oma Sue's for Lunch!

Lets Try Loon!

Thursday afternoon was 55 degrees, Friday morning getting colder (with snow in the forecast and bitter temps).  Based on our Ski Council days -Loon mountain had the deal for the weekend so we booked a condo and spilt it with The Briggs and the Mays - 

Rebecca Chris and I took the kiddos as part of the advanced party Friday after school- Loved arriving to the condo and having the kids explore it super excite about each room - 

we made it to the hot tub just in time - cocktails and all

(there was a bigger one around the corner - thankfully)

Asa joined us from Rochester later that night (his travel schedule just might make your head spin) and we woke up to BITTER cold temps - however, when you plan a ski vacation you can't predict the weather - you just bundle up!

Here we go!!

this condo complex reminded me of the one we visited YEARS ago (circa my life in 6th grade.... with Jenn Rice and the following year with my family - Rebecca went to Loon a few times in High school and Mary's family would do a few weekends up there too! - Here we are raising generation 2 of Looney's)

Waking up in New Hampshire at a Ski condo with families that love adventures like this - yes please!!  Best birthday present ever!

This is my panorama on the bus - can you tell we went over a bump??

It was SO cold - this was the only photo I took outside for fear of the phone breaking.  So here is Rebecca on the top of the mountain.  it was COLD and the longest run we took of the day.  Because it had been so warm leading up to our trip, things got slushy and than FROZE!  lots of ice.  Our kids were troopers - but at one point Shane was so miserable he wanted to stop right on the slope.  A small piece of his face was showing and his legs were cold and tired.  If I could have carried him down I would have - we turned the corner and there was the lodge - Amen!!

The mountain had an AWESOME terrain park to include some of the biggest jumps we have ever seen-  Rebecca grabbed a video of us coming down the half pipe - she managed to get us all! 

https://youtu.be/BIA_NeT7gts

Will forever remember Drew taking EVERY SINGLE JUMP - however they were SO steep that his momentum wouldn't carry him to the top - so each time he slowed just 3 feet from the top and duck walked the rest - he is the most determined kid I know.

We linked up with the May's on the mountain  - Charlie and Nick were HUGE troopers and hardly wanted to come in at all.  

They defined - 'taking a licking and keep on ticking'

Here they are looking toasty sitting on the couch in our condo.  The view out the picture window was AMAZING of the mountain!

Chris was so sweet to make cupcakes for my birthday - truth be told, he has never had such good helpers!!

They legitimately wanted to do it!

After we all rinsed off at the hot tub and pool we came back for dinner - 

That is one full dinner table!!  8 Kiddos and they all paired up so well!

A little birthday celebration on the mountain - seriously cannot imagine being in a better place!  (love Drew's expression!)

Sunday morning proved to be a balmy 20 degrees (at the base of the mountain!)  Here we are ready to attack it for day 2!  Everyone now has a significant appreciation for the turtle fur face mask!

I desperately wanted to get a group picture on this beautiful morning - folks were trickling in.  Nick as always my photogenic little man.

Try so hard to capture this guy at his best!

Ashley trying to make him smile =)!

A selfie while we wait - 

We even opted to take a run while the rest of the crew got everything together.  Love these 2 boarders in front.

Absolutely ADORE this group shot!  I cannot believe we have this many folks that love skiing about all the same and have HUGE appreciation for family ski trips - I see some good winters in our future!  Loved Loved Loved being with everyone!

Even the gondola worked today - the kids had never been in one before (notice Shane and Drew aren't ready to de-mask yet - too cold!)

A shot together at the top of the mountain - one of my oldest friends to one of my newest!

what boarders seem to do a lot of - buckle in....

See our sweet little pairs - Ashley and Lizzy

Sarah looking up to Drew - watch out for this dynamic Duo

These guys happy to count gummy bears in the lodge

Polished off every bite!  he and Charlie were unstoppable

We rode the lifts til the very end and 5 minutes into our trek home - this is what we get.....  SUCCESS!

Loved Loved Loved this weekend.  The condo, the crew, the mountain - next year would just love a few extra degrees.