Keystone, Colorado

Even though both kids were sick and home from school on Friday, we had a wonderful ski weekend in Keystone. The lodge was steps from the slopes and also close to the village. We skied, we watched fireworks, we walked around the village, we went swimming and hot tubbing. We didn't even hit much traffic on the way home on Monday. What a bargain we got at the auction. What a memorable weekend.

Winter Park Skiing

Our first Colorado skiing outing of the year started out on a rough foot. Two kids in tears, me completely upset about it all, and Marshall putting up with us all. The snow was really coming down in the morning (first picture), and made for a difficult start. But after some lunch, things turned around. In the afternoon, we had a GREAT time skiing and had blue skies. And I was reminded why skiing is worth all the fuss.

Ski Weekend

Pool - slope side. Great to have another weekend in the mountains.

Goodwill Hunting

Last night after a family dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings (pretty special for a Monday night), D-man and I headed to the Goodwill to look for his Suessical costume. Of course, I can't walk into a Goodwill without thinking of my father-in-law. D-man was commenting on the nice organization of the store and inquiring on whether or not the clothes had been washed.

I found it quite humorous that this is the first time I have been shopping with D-man when he was trying on clothes - and pink women's pants no less!

We had a great time looking through the clothes to find hot pink and green clothes. I loved that he never once questioned trying on girls/women's clothes. We found the green frilly blouse and he was not changing his mind. $17 later and after an experience I won't forget, we walked out of the store with our awesome costume. And in typical Peavy fashion, Marshall stated we had a big bill for Goodwill. Of course, it was a priceless experience and totally worth every penny.

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Family (x2)

This weekend, we were fortunate enough to have visitors from both the Peavy and the Karlen sides of the family. On Friday, my parents arrived and we were able to go to downtown Louisville for lunch and pizza and cards in the evening.  Saturday saw a trip to Target and a nice walk outside along the Coal Creek Trail by our house. We cooked a nice meal on Saturday night and enjoyed having Marshall's brother here for dinner.  And then the brothers headed out to explore Boulder on Saturday night.

A great breakfast cooked by Marshall on Sunday was followed by some organizing and sorting of the garage - we will be able to now get a car in the garage. Slowly, but surely, we will get this house unpacked! We wrapped up the weekend with some chili and watching the Super Bowl.

With visitors the last three weekends, we are very happy to have our "guest suite" in basement and hope we have many more visitors!

Turning Nine

To celebrate his 9th birthday, D-man decided he wanted a slumber party. After we offered several options for parties that were not at the house, I guess I should feel happy that his choice was to celebrate in our new home.  We did survive the 18+ hour party with only 80% of the attendees in tears at one point or another. Luckily, they all seem to have forgotten about those parts.The entire party was planned by the birthday boy.

• Decorating the kitchen with Uncle Matt. 
• Mummy races over at the open space followed by football. 
• A scavenger hunt and messing around in the backyard. 
• Watching "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: 3" in the basement. 
• Having Nerf game wars and playing with the cars in the basement. 
• Staying in the guest room downstairs and staying up until midnight. 
• Actually, listening to the adults and staying in the until 9:30! 
• Chocolate chip pancakes and bacon for breakfast.

 Being so thoughtful with his goody bags and working hard to make sure that the party went well. It's hard to believe that half of his years with us before college are over. Wow - time truly does fly.

February Golf

Being a golfer (although not very well practiced these days), I'm very excited about being able to walk to the golf course from our house. Today, we walked over two times and hit balls and did some putting with my Dad. Pretty great on a lot of levels. Walking there. Having the boys excited about golfing. Doing it with my Dad. Weather nice enough in February to do it.

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"Sushi birthday dinner!!"
(taken at Hana Japanese Bistro)

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"D-man celebrating being 9 with his brother. Happy birthday to my big boy!"

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100 Angry Birds!

T-man had a project for school due this week. It was a project that coincides with the 100th day of school. It was his first project homework and he did a great job!

He chose to do 100 Angry Bird Stickers by groups of 10. He dove right in and we were so proud of his focus. It's hard to believe we are more than half way the through the school year and the our Kindergartner is getting so big.

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"Winter Wonderland - and a son asking "how much snow did they get in the mountains??" "
(taken at Louisville, Colorado)

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Day 2: Bike to School

D-man kept asking me about the weather and I couldn't figure out why. He really wanted to bike to school again today (he biked with Uncle Matt on Friday). There's something I'm not going to argue with!

Bro aka Uncle Matt

One sibling visit was followed by another. Our guest room is getting a workout! As always, Uncle Matt's visit was a great one. We enjoyed take out on Thursday night, worked from home on Friday, and Matt helped out with the slumber party on Saturday. Unfortunately, he was ill one night, but he fought through. At dinner one night, Matt was telling stories about college. D-man was very entertained of stories of playing soccer inside with a painted goal and breaking a window. It was great to see D-man so enthralled.

Sunday was beautiful - we enjoyed a walk along the bike path by our house and lunch outside and yard games in the backyard. We always enjoy his visits and were excited to show another family member our new home.

Thankful

Today, I cleaned out D-man's room to prepare for his 9th birthday party. I found the following entry in his 2nd grade writing journal. Recently, I created my own list of things I am thankful for to help me keep things in perspective. Seeing a list from an 8 year old that had so many of the same things I listed on the top of my list has even provided me with more perspective.

In the end, we are thankful for the same things. Life really is about a few key things. The rest is small stuff. In today's world, it can be easy to forget all that we have. Thank you son for helping me remember what is truly important.

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"Every time I go to pick up the mail at our PO box at our local post office, I think of my Dad and feel a bit closer to home. "
(taken at US Post Office)

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Long MLK Weekend

I'm always a bit sad after members of my family leave. Today was no different. But, I was happy having my sister and her son here for the long weekend. After a day in Louisville, she headed down to Denver to see some friends on Sunday.

On Monday, we headed out to partake in a unique Denver experience: the National Western Stock Show. We enjoyed the petting zoo and taking in all the animals being shown at the event - horses, birds (they got to pet a show turkey), bulls, and cows. Afterwards, we enjoyed going out to lunch - always a special treat.

While cousin D took a nap (and Marshall watched him), Jacki and I headed out to HomeGoods to check out some home furnishings. With her help, I got a few items to start decorating (see the only picture of the two of us standing in front of the new shower curtain). After a trip to the park, we enjoyed homemade pizza and more special time for the boys with their cousin (with a bath for all of them together in our big tub).

On Monday morning, we sent the boys off on the school bus and headed to downtown Louisville for coffee. It was beautiful outside and Cousin D was able to walk around while we checked out the the area. I was so happy it was so nice outside because it was so cold in Minneapolis.

Thank you to the Marshall's for visiting us. It is a lot of work traveling with a little one and we were so fortunate they took the time and effort to come see us in our new home and town. It truly warmed my heart to have the boys being so sweet with their cousin and it was so wonderful to spend some time with my sister and her son.

Visitors from Minnesota!

Our second set of visitors arrived on Friday night. I was so happy that the temps were going to be warming up for our Minnesotan visitors.

We've enjoyed some walks and time in the backyard. It really is the first time we have been able to walk around the neighborhood. The toy room with lots of trucks and trains has also been a popular destination. The boys have REALLY enjoyed having their cousin here and have been so sweet with him.

Dinner in downtown Louisville on Saturday night was a fun outing. Pizza was too busy so we hit the BBQ place and then ice cream. Hard to believe we were sitting outside eating ice cream on January 19! It is great having family here and sharing our new home/town with them.

Cowboy Day!

Today was "Cowboy Day" at T-man's school. It was a celebration as they wrapped up their Western unit. I was only able to stay for a little bit, but it was great to be with T-man in his classroom and see SO many parent volunteers (over 10 for a class of 21!).

Giddey-up!

Village People "YMCA"

Last weekend, I got the toy room in the basement organized. While I lament the number of toys we have (and I am giving 3 boxes to family and several to the Goodwill), T-man does play with them. Trucks. Hex bugs. Football guy. Electricity set. And dress up clothes - all played with in the first week.

He loved the dress up clothes and is really enjoying the police officer. Coupled with the leopard print gloves, we've got out own Village People YMCA member. And without window coverings, he was really enjoying checking himself out in the window.

Christmas 2012

2012 wrapped up with us celebrating Christmas in our new home, our greatest gift of the season. We had fish chowder and grasshoppers for dinner and egg casserole and Pillsbury cinnamon rolls for breakfast. All of which are becoming traditions in our household. On Christmas Eve, D-man asked if they had PJ's to open. This really warmed my heart as he remember this tradition. 

Opening gifts and spending the day playing with presents was relaxing and a good way to pass the day before flying to Idaho. While our house may not be in tip-top condition yet, it was WONDERFUL to be out of the apartment and into our permanent home for the holidays. 

annual Christmas Eve picture by the tree

Christmas Eve dinner

Christmas morning

C'mon Broncos!

We've already had tears - we need a Bronco victory!