Saturday, March 12, 2016

Projects

You would think I am getting better at taking before and Afters - but I am not - why, because I am still me - but that doesn't mean I don't try to capture some of the awesome things my husband does.

Check out this behind the sofa tables in progress. (Drew is a questionable helper!)
Seriously Love the pipe!
Next project - Powder sink - no storage - 
Really BIG storage in a vanity that just didn't fit right...
made the bathroom feel rather small.
back to powder room sink (Chris loves it when i do projects like this...)
WAY better vanity!  complete with a blue light sink!
Love these tables too - more seating in our hard to figure out family room.
We had been thinking about this one for a bit and I love how it came together one Sunday afternoon. The birch is from Saranac Lake NY one of the trips we were visiting Liz and Tam - We saw this on the side of the road and grabbed it.  Will most likely paint the shelves white - some day.
I call this the project grave yard - they are all sitting on a sheet wondering what I will do with them.  The bench was 'tabled' for the time being - the Green sofa table received it final coat (not sure where it will be used yet....) and the chair....
Yes, it was a random find and he surely needs help - just not sure about my expertise....
At least he is a bit happier here =)!
Project never end - I keep telling myself that is o.k.




Til the fat lady sings

It happened - All winter Ski Sundown kept a happy face on.  It was finally cold enough, they made snow.
It would rain, they would groom the trails.  
it was sunny and hot.  they were losing the base they worked so hard to create.

The last day I worked, they even made mogels on Gunbarrel and I was fortunate enough to get a lesson from Fred!

But on Saturday March 12, the email came out - its time to close the doors.  

The season is over.
Til next year!

Thursday, March 10, 2016

NE....... Attitash New Hampshire

We need more trips right??  

Chris told me there is a conference in NH this year and here is the Acronym
NEAFPSD
Any takers??

  New England Association of Fire Protection System Designers


Held at the Attitash Grand Summit Hotel

It was a Warm rainy few days - but right now we are envisioning a fire burning behind us in this beautiful fireplace.
We are also envisioning snow - LOTS of it.  Its NH right?

WE might have had better luck on the luge.
Thin cover - you don't say
We went on one run that was really rather crummy, but than found a nice one that had god snow and was long enough.  We skied it 5 times with some of the other guys here and than stopped just in time for it to start raining.  Perfect!
Chris had classes in the morning and evening with a nice ski time break in there.
I loved being a part of watching him in his industry.  My father opted not to come.  After 25 years in the industry everyone knew Les Carlson's name - so it was cool watching Chris introduce himself on his own.  The technology is rather fascinating, pumps, chemicals, rates, fitting.

I escaped for a bit to the gym for a little workout and Rodan + Fields.  
Love the mobile business.
Once the conference was over, Chris wanted to pop into the Mt Washington Lodge - SO glad we did.

THIS is a fireplace!
BEAUTIFUL grounds
Chris is busy planning the next family vacation here - skiing or golfing.

Glad the conference was over school days so it was a bit easier for my mom to help with the kiddos (especially since my dad was golfing in FL - but we all know he can be the opposite of help) but a HUGE thank you to my mom.  So glad we all live the life we do to make this all very possible.

Love the learning, love the time, love the experience.

Friday, March 4, 2016

I am 40!! Yikes!

There is something about that Birthday morning that feels SO special.  I wake up wanting to tell the WHOLE world its my birthday - just send a special thought my way - give me a virtual hug - or a real hug.  I was starting my morning early (since it was so easy to access my clothes and after removing the carpet - the ticking was VERY loud)  I came down stairs to Chris asking me to walk back upstairs.  Bless his heart - 
He was putting all these cards up that my sister had orchestrated
In each envelope was a memory written by family, neighbors, friends from school, college, the Army - what an act of LOVE - so excited to sit down and read all these!
But First, kids up and breakfast rolling - Chris had an early morning meeting, but prepped everything for me act of love!  
Nick was so sweet and dressed in his Michigan shirt for me - act of love!
Mother nature gave me a birthday gift with the beautiful snow falling and Kelly was willing to run in it - act of love!!  Beautiful morning!
Love this kind of snow
Meanwhile my father and husband were trying to find the best person possible to fix this ticking - Act of love!!!  The Duct whisperer entered into the Mix at 12 noon - He put some industrial strength bubble wrap in-between the metal Duct and the Nail clamp
Metal on metal rubbing never sounds good
Now its GONE!
And yes, I am VERY happy about that!
Off to lunch with my mother - what a treat - and act of love - our favorite lunch time restaurant and glass of wine =)!  Love this time with my mom - cannot believe she became a mom 40 years ago!! Imagine how far these birthday celebrations have come for her.
Glad we took this photo - it was green tea ice cream and the one candle I got to blow out (40 is WAY too many!)
The rest of the day continued on - I got to teach 1 lesson to 6 awkward 5th graders and LOVED it - Got out in time to head home and grab my gorgeous husband and hug my little guys.  My folks were babysitting while we head off to a happy hour.
Look at the beauty all around - 
Happy hour and here we are - How many years does this friendship go back - Geesh - 1990 - cheerleaders, latin class, etc.  we have stories!
Well than look who shows up - Molly lives in Avon and its because of this beautiful sole Megan that I even know her!  I was chatting WITH Molly when she walked into the bar - ALL THE WAY from Richmond - wow!
This is a friend who when I first met just a  year ago, I knew I liked her - something about her soul, her smile, who she is.  She is such a busy working momma that i was really touched she had the time to come out Friday night - Thanks Meg!  We get along so well, we wear the same jeans!
My neighbors came, my skiing buddies were there - Rebecca even with this flashy wine glass - I knew I would like her!!
Talk about busy momma - My sister came into the bar later that evening as well - all by herself.  She drove down from North Attleboro and stayed the night on our couch.  (When the boys saw her in the morning they were so excited, than bummed to learn she DIDN'T bring the kiddos with her)  I was able to snap just this one photo and we chatted early Saturday morning.  THANK YOU stacie for making me feel so loved.
Saturday morning and lets hit the slopes - This girl seriously makes everything possible.

They looks almost like the Leadbetters right??  I give them HUGE credit tackling the slopes.  We were able to outfit them with clothes and equipment and the mountain isn't far away which was REALLY helpful since they really just wanted a taste of the mountain.  So we did just that.

Than we grabbed some food and snuggled in for the evening!  Much more our speed!
Again, even washing our face is more fun together - 
Sunday morning was just glorious - slow morning, the kids WANTED to go outside and play - for HOURS - Seriously.  We stood in our kitchen just watching them and loving it - warm coffee in our hands.
It was sad to tear them apart when its time to head home - love this little line up and that it all worked out so well.  Megan, Kerry, Kallen and Nolan - We LOVED the time with you!  What a true treasure. 
As they were headed home, I started a birthday project - yup, a project....  operation paint.
Chicken Paprikash!  
Its what's for dinner and WOW was it an awesome dinner.  My father was sweet enough to make a 2nd batch - I enjoyed it for an entire MONTH!
When your wife has a birthday it can be EXHAUSTING.  I give HUGE credit to this guy - so keeping a secret, prepping the house, helping with the kids and all around pulling it all together.  He is so mild mannered and the best partner in life.  Thank YOU Chris for keeping us all pointed in the right direction this weekend.
Had to get one awesome family shot - of course Goomba was taking the photo.  This is the 3rd iteration of lights in the Shamrock that was made with love in Arizona!  Birthday weekend - HUGE success - YES YES YES, I felt the love.  100 million times.  
Thank you all!

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Birthday Prep

Thursday morning and I get to pick out the kiddos clothes and THIS guy is a totally treat - he won the award for the most helpful this morning - well done!
Seriously Darling - I know - 
That night it was chilly - but not too cold.  After dinner I offered to take the boys skiing.
I have to say, this was THE BEST night we had ever been to sundown.  The conditions were AMAZING.  Well groomed.  The staff was SO kind and helpful and friendly.  We were at the top of Expedition while they were finishing up the grooming.  
EVERYONE was lined up ready to race down.  I was a bit nervous that that everyone included my boys - They too wanted to be first down the corduroy.  
So it begins.
After that they decided to try the Nastar Race.  
Nick had done it before and I was confident about his skills
Shane had too and he wanted to try it again.  Now its the 3rd guy I was SO hesitant about.....  I asked the lady at the booth if they needed to be 5...... nope.....
I asked a million times if he was sure.....  YUP
The guys behind me in line told me to just let him go....... (easier said)
The other guy in the shack offered to follow him down (so sweet)
So off he went
He LOVED it - was SO proud of himself  - want a feeling.  We even wanted to do it again.  The staff was so sweet and awarded metals to the boys and prices.  I had tears in my eyes knowing how brave they all were for such different ways.  When Drew crossed the finished line they were both waiting for him and cheering him on.
I honestly could have stayed at Sundown that night until they closed the lifts....  We did stay until 9, but it was time to get home.

I STINK at iMovie, (and at holding the phone steady) but here are some clips of our evening.

Meanwhile - my amazing husband was trying to accomplish my biggest birthday wish.  Make the ticking stop.  (we have been listening to ticking in our bedroom every time the heat or AC turns on.....sounds like water dripping - very annoying)  As we finally decide to rip open the carpet, Chris discovers, someone may have already tried to fix it....  
Now he is in - See that BIG silver Duct?
Wait, there are 2 of them!  Yes, that guy right there is amazing
Needless to say, at 10pm that night, nothing was fixed or finished, and now VERY loud - 
the upside is, I am VERY close to my clothes and should make for an easy birthday wake up tomorrow morning