Deep in February

We woke up Wednesday morning to a leak in our water heater room.  Thankfully a plumber was able to come replace this valve within just a few hours.  

This sums up our week -- Olympics on TV and checkers with Daddy. 

Michael took this great picture on his way home from California on his jet ride.  Lucky guy! 

So peaceful up there.

Friday at Luke's classroom was another STEM day for us.  We built candy cars using assembly lines  in "factories" of three kids.  It was really cute. 

Here is one factory's candy cars up close.  

Friday afternoon we had a little trip to the County History Museum and Luke taught me his new trick that he's going to invent.  He decided to call it the Montana. It's a mule kick with a twist. 

We got to see a real Model A car, just like we emulated when we built the candy cars and like his class had learned about . 

After the museum we decided to celebrate the warmer weather and take Ruby to the dog park. It's amazing how warm 15 degrees feels after a week of negative temps. 

Luke is a great dog obstacle demonstrator.  He lured Ruby onto the obstacles using just her leash as a reward. 

She's so eager to please, sweet Ruby. 

She really wants that leash!

She's clever, though, and will do a lot to get her leash but still avoid doing the obstacle. 

Saturday was Josh's first competition. He did  a slope style competition at the terrain park. 

This is the group he did his BSF "training" with all season.  Squad goals no doubt!

 He's in a  white jacket, hard to see, but in the left middle of the picture. 

He did some great tricks, this spread eagle  is my favorite one!

This was our view from our 4th lodge.  Mike and I skied and rode all 5 chair lifts and had a beer in all 5 lodges. Dos Cinco.  

Josh met us after his lessons, and he was Hangry. He hadn't eaten lunch because the competition was from 11-2.  He came into the bar at 2:30 and basically just grunted at us with shifty eyes.  We fed him two pieces of pizza and welcomed him back into the real world. 

We like hanging out at the Grizzly Ridge bar...silliness always.  

Luke took this picture and he couldn't stop smiling and laughing as we took it.  He said I "have" to post it. 

Here are Josh's results.  He was happy for his first time competing!  We were so proud of him. 

Valentine's Day

Josh's friend Ryatt spent the night Tuesday night, so Wednesday morning I made them special Valentine's Day pancakes. 

Ryatt gave Josh this sweet headband for under their lacrosse helmets.  Josh thinks he looks fierce. 

This is Luke's card to me.  It's double sweet because he realized that he hadn't gone to the store yet  and Mike was out of town, so he knew he would be late to get me flowers and chocolate.  He waited until Thursday when Miek got home, and then went shopping.  (I told him that the thought of giving me such sweet gifts was plenty, but he insisted on actually getting them for me.)  He met me at the door and made me close my eyes, and he guided me to the kitchen where he showed me a dozen rose, the biggest heart shaped box of chocolates that he could find, and this sweet card.  He then told me that I was the best mom there ever was, and ever will be.  Consider my heart melted. 

Luke got new skis this weekend! He is so excited to ride the Bentchetlers.  

This is where the boys slept Saturday night.  I was at a retreat Friday-Sunday, and the boys decided to sleep on the floor in daddy's room.  Don't they look so sweet and snuggly? 

This is our fabulous ski locker.  Mike designed a boot rack with PVC and wood, and bought these cool "buttons" to hang the skis from, and we're just styling now.  It's SO much more convenient to have the skis and boots stay at the hill.  

Choir Concerts and Ridge Runs

Our handsome 6th grader at his choir concert. 

He's in the second row from the bottom, and second from the right.  He was far more expressive and enthusiastic than his past performances.  

These boys are goofy and I love them.  Left to Right - Bryce, Jack, Josh, Kyler and Colter on the floor. 

He's so cool.

Friday I was cleaning up the mud room and I caught a glimpse of Our Life right now.  cars, basketballs, and caps, of course all at once. 

We are trying to get ready for Hawaii in March, and realized that Luke doesn't have sunglasses. 

Saturday after Luke's training was done, he tried to beat me and Mike at foos ball. He said this is  his lucky start position.  His wrist looks like it's about to break. 

Sunday we had a family ski day.  We did a few runs together, and then the boys went to The Ridge.  They take the lift up as high as it can go, and then they hike to the ridge.  

They made it!  Luke was so excited to get up here! 

"I made it!!!"

Dude, he's 9!  He's so tough! 

Josh was their "guide" and showed them where to go, since he's been up at the Ridge a lot during his training on Saturdays.  

The view is so pretty from up there.  

Sporty week, plus a couple of fun breakfasts!

Happy Groundhog Day!  The night before Groundhog Day, Luke found a picture of this cute little breakfast in a magazine and asked me if I could make it for him.  I figured I'd try, but this is typically not my strong suit.  It actually turned out better than I was hoping! 

Friday I was in Luke's classroom and we built pipelines out of paper.  

Luke and Rogen got to play together after school, so we celebrated with Uswirl. 

Last year they played basketball on the USwirl team. They thought they should get the Hall of Fame Discount, ha ha ha. 

Saturday was Luke's first time ski racing.  He did great!  Check out that cornering form!

Whizzing by us!

He got to do two runs, both pretty clean looking!

He did a great job, especially for not really wanting to race. We thought it was totally optional, which it was, but if you didn't race you still had the 1/2 hour at the course cheering on your friends.  Why not try? 

He's entry #52 -- we didn't see any of the other 10 year old group in the 29's so we thought he rocked it! 

Our little future Olympian.

Already practicing his post-medal testing. :) 

Josh tore his ski pants after his lesson, so Mike and Josh went shopping for new pants.  Somehow they found the lacrosse helmet he is dreaming of buying. Odd.  I think he looks so tough!

Sunday morning Luke and I slept in and went to Red Chair for breakfast.  They have the most delicious donut holes with jam.
Josh went skiing with Daddy for the morning, which was cool. 

Sunday afternoon was Luke's track meet.  He did a great job and gave his all in every event. 

Pole Vault!  He was really raising his legs to clear the "bar" here. 

He cleared it! 

Javelin throwing. 

The shot put was his clear winning sport, the rest were all good.  It was fun to watch. 

Josh made a fruit salsa for Super Bowl using a recipe he got from his Family Consumer Science (home ec) class. 

We even made cinnamon tortilla chips.  

After the Super Bowl (go Eagles!) the boys had a fiery ping pong battle. :)