Monday, March 4, 2024

What really matters

While I celebrate my birthday and the boys are off in Colorado I want to note what this time was like for the Briggs.  

When they came back from CO - Asa had a bit of a cold.  it slowed him down a bit on the final ski days.  That next day he could barely breathe and went to the walk-in.  They sent him home.  We went again on Saturday and he was rush to the hospital with low oxygen count.  He spent 2 long nights in the ER with Rebecca being frustrated and rather concerned about the care he was/was not receiving.  

Thankfully Tom was able to facilitate them getting admitted about the focus from the right doctors.  After trying to drain the fluids and taking significant antibiotics Asa wasn't getting better.  They had to conduct surgery to clear up the infection.  Tom was an integral part of his surgery and immediate recovery.  It was a time for the Briggs that they will very forget and a time for us to really pause and pray.

 

It is unsettling how quickly everything happened.  Thankful for all the advocates for Asa.  I got to bring a care package Sunday morning but couldn't keep it all together seeing one of our closest friends on the recovery end of being so sick.    I attribute his current health to why he made it through everything and for his soon ability to fully recover.  Non of us were fans ow the scare we all received.  Beautiful to see so many love and support the Briggs during this time.

Chris and Nick do Colorado

Yes - these guys are rocking a quick get away to Colorado that first weekend in March.  While I missed them fiercely I loved knowing they were knee deep in powder with our favorite people.
These kids ski/snowboard together like no other!
Their stories of how easy traveling just to 2 of them....  I bet!
Lots and lots of powder!

Smooth flip by Nick
Thanks to the May's for opening their VRBO to these guys.  Here's hoping Mary can get to some groomers - no need to keep proving yourself again and again, you are an amazing skier!

 

My Birthday weekend line dancing


Its been too long without a good cowboy hat - had to treat myself for my birthday.  Jeff Bezos brought it just in time.!
My folks treated me to a special Chicken Paprikash meal which was so kind of them!  
In a clean house right before they head to Florida - a true labor of love.

Shall I remember this night as the night my folks re-delivered my report cards?  oh boy!
Sunday the boys offered to take me on a hike - so thankful they DID NOT get my sense of direction - although their ability to get to the new trail was a bit lacking.  We made it out for a beautiful stroll.
We were cleaning the garage as part of a gift to dad when I came up with a stellar idea.  I loaded up 5 bags of cans and 2 boys - dropped them off at Marindinos where there was 1 can return machine.  With can returns at 10cents its becoming more and more worth it!  I told them I would be back in 20 minutes.  I rolled home to get ready for the line dancing evening.  The boys alternated bags and came up with over $22 dollars!  By the time I came back for them, they had 2 mini carts filled with 2 liter sodas and a win from the claw machine.  HUGE SUCCESS for all and best mom hack ever for me!

Excited for some line dancing and love these earrings hot off the press from Rebecca.
Kara was the best wing man tonight!  We had little snacks and drinks packed and got to enjoy an evening in this beautifully redone barn.
Kara was pumped just to see the inside of it all.
I was thrilled for all the fin dancing.  Loved that Kara captured this photo.  Totally speaks to how much fun I had.
They taought us about 5-6 different dances along to the music.  Mostly women with 5 guys clearly there with their ladies!

Here are a couple video clips.  Pumped to go back!



Thanks Kara for the great evening!

 

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Moonlight Hike

Moonlight hike for the Canton Land trust and we are all home!!  Yes please.  The Izzo's planted the seed and it was great to have the crew together.  Sadly the Mr. Briggs was under the weather and wasn't able to attend (a bit more on that later).  Here we are loaded up in the truck.
Such a fun small town event.  The moon was out too casting the beauitful shadows.  True candles in the luminaires too.  Bits of snow still along the path.
Thankful to ahve Beckett join the Izzo crew for the evening.  Great seeing him back with Shane.
Plenty of activity for the kiddos and cocktails for us.

Here we are loaded up to head home.
loved chatting with the kiddos and the Ceila hung with us.  I felt honored that she stayed and chatted with us for the evening.


 

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Taking the Boys to the BIG STUFF in Colorado

We are off on an adventure just the 3 of us - Saturday afternoon flight and the airport is JAMMED!  We made Shane rather nervous about missing the light.  Drew and I ran to the gate and got there just in time to board.  Perfection in my book, but would have been nice to have a few extra moments this round.
Last row of seats all together - thankful its the short flight.
Snack time!
Late night arrival in CO.  Took a while to get the bags and the airport shuttle.  Shane packed away some Ramon for a late night snack that turned out to be perfect.  Up at 5:45 to grab the rental car, load up and hit the slopes of breckenridge by 10!  Here we are headaed up the gondola at the south parking lot.
So very happy!!
Snowy day with low visibility - hoods up everyone!
Couldn't see too well the first 2 runs but these guys are never stopped!
Sun through the clouds and now we are linked up with Rick!!  They started their morning in Woodland springs and met us for the next few days.
Love Drew's love for the powder.
And his desire to do pushups.
One of Drew's photos today
My photo request of Drew as we drove into Frisco that night for a German brat assortment.  We had rattlesnake, veal, antelope, venison, elk and pheasant.  Great night out with the Roberts!

Our night ended in the hot tub and morning started like this
Love the view from our hotel room
Vail gave us a bluebird day!
Our crew GREW!  we are now skiing with the Briggs and Rebecca's family!  Love that Sam thought to dress us up with Tutu's and beads for Mardi gras!
I cannot think of a better place to spend the day
Smiling all day long
Enjoy some of our video clips





The kiddos - not sure where Will is in this photo


Thankful for the time with these 2 even though they don't like taking photos as this stage in their lives.

We did 3 runs along the blue sky bowls.  Boys did Lover's leap.  I was drawn to the moguls of Encore and Rick rocked Cloud nine.  Everyone was happy!
And tired!
Day 3 back to Breckenridge with just these 2 initially
This guy was starting to get worn down by the altitude.  We left him to sleep in horizon hut while Shane and I did the peak 6 area a few times.
He skied a few runs and then received an offer to go ice fishing. Can't pass that up!
only the Leadbetter's ice fish with ski boots on .


Caleb is the winner with 2 fish!
Wednesday, we had to head back.  Nice leisurely morning in the VRBO - returned poles to Breeze equipment rental, grabbed some CO/Vail swag and started the drive back.  Love going through Idaho Springs whish was where Chris and I stayed in September.  We drove by the VRBO and the affordable housing complex there.  I hopped out to take this photo but of course the boys opted to stay in the car.  

Shuttle bus from the car rental - Much more timely right now than the way out.  Long trip home.
Fun rec from my colleague to hit Voodoo donuts in the airport.
Flight from BWI to BDL was delayed an hour, so there was that.  We landed at MIDNIGHT - YUCK.  Thankfully my kids are helpful.  left them to grab bags while I grabbed the PACKED shuttle to get the car.  They were able to move others to let mine out to grab the kids.  Home by 1AM, heads in beds (after quick showers) by 1:30AM.  Drew and I slept the next morning til 8am while Shane rocked the early morning and headed in with Nick.

Things I want to remember but don't have captured -
- fitting 3 sets of skis in one bag (no poles - yes that means we forgot mine)
- Late night arrival in CO - Ramon for snack at the hotel
- Shane left his airpods in the shuttle but they found them for us and we retrieved them on the way back
- The altitude affected Drew and he HAD to buy the oxygen
- Frisco is a great central area!
- shopping with the girls!!  My favorite!
- Wendy's was the only breakfast they wanted - WIN!