RF for Chris

It arrived!!

You think he is super thrilled??  

Hmmm  I am not sure sure.  Its an Ember Mug - one that keeps your coffee at just the right temp.  I won it through RF.  We CLEARLY aren't coffee snobs, constantly re-warming coffee and drinking it day old.  Figure this would be fun.  Of course its an app that requires charging etc....

Little update since I am blogging the passed, now that I am home, Chris let me use the Ember (let is a strong word, lets be honest, he was using it to appease me!) so now I use it.  When it works and is connected, its pretty awesome.  But there are plenty of 'glitches.....'  however those days when my tea is warm until the last sip - I am grateful!

MLK Adventure weekend - From Florida to Stratton

A tale of 2 adventures!  My sister and I have enjoyed MLK weekend escapes to visit my folks in Sanibel.  WE each brought our oldest 2.  Now its time for the final installment!  With the husbands too!  Finally my dad has someone to golf with!

Happy Campers!

Meanwhile on a weekend home with snow in the forecast, I escaped with the big 2 to visit our friends in Stratton!  The roads Saturday night were a bit tricky.  So thankful I had the truck.  

Mark took us on a Stratton tour showing us their favorite haunts.  I love the terrain here.  Great border cross track at the base of a fun mogul run.  

Tons of high speed 6 pack quads to get the crowds out!  With it being MLK - we needed all the help we can get!

Celia was our tour guide when Mark went home to help with the twins.  I love the time with the little strong lady!

Boo boo bear enjoyed his slope time too.

So cute to see and experience Andrew and Ceila's independence here.  They know the mountain and their way around.  We rocked all the trails until the final run.  Ceila didn't think we would make the 4:30 shuttle.  She didn't realize how fast those Leadbetters move!  She was on it! 

 We all drove home Sunday night.  Nick was my navigator finding the best Cumberland in MA - 

Meanwhile in a pool far away....  I love everything about this photo!

Check out the smile on this guy!

Lots of lines and hopping here!

Happy fisherman - and yes, its true, he could fish all day

Where is the all posed group photo!?!?  Where is my mom!  Clearly I needed to be there to capture a few more smiles.  However all the updates we received were thumbs up from all.  Love the boys could all be together like this.  Special weekend for all!  Loving thanks to my folks for making it all possible and enjoying every minute!

Week Night skier Shane

Random right? 

This is my reminder to blog about Shane's weekly Ski bus adventure.  Shane is our first ski bus boy - lets be honest, he is the most responsible.

Thursday morning we prep his ski stuff, boots, helmet, skis, and $40!  We drop it off at Canton Parks and Rec.  The kiddos get out of school, somehow find all their stuff and board 1 bus!  (I note this as Shane complains about the fact that it is 1 bus, they wish they had 2 because they are SQUISHED.  But hey, they are only going 5 miles, so lets just get there.

Than Shane has to stand in line to purchase his ticket (he has also provided feedback on this because he would prefer a season pass or ticket included because this one more step isn't welcomed for the boo boo bear that wants to be just like everyone else!)  He has $8 left with which to splurge on crap food - his favorite part.  He has a good pack of friends to do this with on Thursdays and we have a rocking carpool to grab them in the evenings.  

The snow hasn't been the best - but that isn't what they are there for.  Heck, Shane even one the movie ticket that is pictured here.  (Being that we would have to go to Hartford to redeem this certificate, its not happening - but its cool to win right?

Thanks to Shane for being that kid that can keep it all together (for 5 weeks!)

Life with 2 dogs

With my folks in Florida they had set up a dog sitting scenario with a lady in West Hartford.  Well..... it didn't work out.  They said stormy was pacing, keeping them up, they were sleeping on the couch in hopes of comforting her, blah blah blah.  My mom was worried and asked if we could help.  What's one more right?  I texted the lady that she could bring her to us and within 30 minutes we became a 2 dog family!  

We wanted to give Stormy her own space so we got creative with the room divider.

For the record - every animal we have had or babysat for discovered that well water is delicious.  Stormy is no exception.

First night Stormy snuggled in with Nick, because she is deaf, his alarm doesn't wake her.  He was dressed and ready and asked me if he should wake her up.

Nigh 2 she snuggled in with Drew.

This is about as close as these 2 get.  Honestly they get along fine.  The biggest problem is Stormy wanders into Nora's food space.  Nora CONSTANTLY tells her to knock it off and not to go there.  but sweet stormy is an old dog and not quite interested in learning new tricks.  So she keeps going to Nora's food corner.  THAT part hasn't gotten easier.  That and the accidents on the floor - that part is never fun.....But its not forever.

Until my folks get back - Stormy will have a happy place to call home - watching Chickens and all.

With our besties so many miles away - it does feel like we have a piece of them here with us.

He swims

Yes, he still swims!  7th grade and on the lasers.  Being 13 he is in a higher age bracket and if often swimming against 18 year olds.  Makes it a rather tough season for my sweet Nick.  But he suits up every day, makes friends and makes the best of it.  Still rocking his own times - and enjoying the chlorine hair.

Just a little note on the girls who aren't crazy about winter time.  They become freeloaders not really making eggs as they aren't awake long enough.  I haven't put the timer Christmas lights in there this year to wake them up either.

One night I went out on a previously windy day and their door had shut!  They couldn't get INTO their coop.  So here they slept somewhat together.  Thankful no one else found their sleeping spot.

New Years DAY

What if we go to bed relatively early on New Years Eve and celebrate by waking up VERY early on New Years day and celebrate on the slopes!  THAT is a family tradition I would like to adopt!  Off we go

MT. snow it is on a BEAUTIFUL New Years day.  Love how as a family we can all ski together, trying all slops, enjoying the snow board park, staying together is my favorite part!

We were blessed with chilly weather and an afternoon full of snow flakes!

Managed to find some fresh powder too!  Success boys!

Had to snap this photo as Drew LOVES these and quizzes me every night before bed - I haven't memorized the capitals again yet, but I am getting there.  Great Mom and Dad gift!