Thursday, April 02, 2015

Snow Soccer!

75 yesterday. Snowing today. Optional soccer practice - snow soccer! 


Saturday, March 28, 2015

Brief Birthday Bash

It's been a quick trip, but so glad we made it. A bit of time for the boys with their Pop and their cousins. And the ability for me to celebrate my amazing sister and a dear family friend as they bring in the next decade. Socializing, laughing, and pampering made for a great event. Happy birthday Sis! 


Karlen and Maul women 


Our amazing travellers 







Sunday, March 22, 2015

Pink Vail

What a wonderful weekend in Vail for Pink Vail (a fundraiser for a cancer center in Vail). It was definitely spring skiing and a gorgeous day to be on the slopes with great friends (and celebrate all the friends and family members that have been affected by cancer). 


The Pink Party People Team 


The Peavy family 


Doing the checkpoint challenge with D-man 


Après ski VIP party 


Tuesday, March 17, 2015

To cute

I put this book on T-man's bed as potential reading material tonight. He had other plans. As his teacher pointed out at parent-teacher conferences, there are spellcheckers available, but someone's true gift is their good heart and nature. T-man certainly has that down pat. To cute. 


Sunday, March 15, 2015

Denver Escape Room

A fun evening out with friends at the Denver Escape Room. You're given an hour to solve the puzzle and get out of the room. We made it out with 3 minutes to spare (and only two hints). The room has a 25% success rate so we were pretty happy with our escape. We hit a local pub afterwards for beer and dinner. Was a fun way to wrap up the weekend! 




Friday, March 13, 2015

Best One Yet

We determined this is the 7th Karlen family vacation since grandkids entered the occasion. For those doing the math, that is more than every other year. I think we can all agree that this was an amazing trip. It was a nice balance of activities and relaxing with an amazing view and venue. It's hard to wrap up and go back to reality, but I am so thankful for the experience and the memories for the entire family. 



Zoo gondola 


Amazing sunset 


Seaworld 

Penguins 


Last day at the beach 







Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Karlen Vacation

It's already been a wonderful few days with amazing weather and we aren't done yet! 


At the beach 


Date night! 


Brewery tour 


Whale watching (thanks to my sis for catching this pic) 


Disneyland 


It's a small world 



Outside our bedroom - what a view! 









Wednesday, March 04, 2015

I've Never Lost a Championship Game

These were the words uttered by D-man tonight before bed. With his basketball victory tonight, he now holds championships in football, baseball, and basketball. It was a fun game to watch - D-man shut down their star player again. Go Gladiators!! 




With his bud 


Cheering on his bro 



Sunday, March 01, 2015

Like No Place on Earth

Vail's slogan is "like no place on earth." That is certainly true and we were fortunate to spend a great weekend with friends and enjoying a beautiful day of skiing. 







Après ski at the casa de Smiley 




Snowboard Stud

T-man took his first snowboard lesson this weekend and loved it! His instructor said he was a great student. The first snowboard lesson means a lot of falling and it's so great to hear how excited T-man was. His statement - "I'm the first one in our family to snowboard" - says it all. 





The Peavy shredder 

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Music and Motion

T-man had his music performance today at school. The evening performance was canceled because of the snowstorm, but I was able to attend the school performance. T-man did great and it was fun to see them combining their science lessons on motion with music. 


On the stage on the left 

T-man's speaking part in the program 







Tuesday, February 24, 2015

14 on 24

How does a couple spend their 14th(!) wedding anniversary? Parent-teacher conferences of course! That and a really nice evening having dinner in downtown Louisville at a new restaurant. Still learning new things about each other after all these years. Warms my heart. 


Monday, February 23, 2015

Reading with the Buffs

T-man earned two tickets to the Buffs/Oregon Women's basketball game on Sunday thanks to his reading work. He really enjoyed having Buff athletes come and read to his classroom and we were really cheering on #21 (one of the athletes to visit his classroom)! 

Even better, was having him read a book tonight and commenting on his much easier it was for him this time around.  What a great way to see his hard work in action. 

It was a great outing with T-man - what a special boy. We are so proud of him!! 
 

Go Buffs! 


Ralphie in the background 


(He posed with Ralphie but I missed the photo opp because my phone was full.) 



Sunday, February 22, 2015

Friday Night Festivities

Ridiculous drama for the YMCA 5th grade championship game on Friday night. In the end, it became a scrimmage because there were 3 6th boys on the other team. The boys were crushed, but they played well. We then enjoyed going out with the team for dinner. We wrapped up the evening attending the jazz band concert at school. Another great reminder of the community we are enjoying here in Louisville. 






Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Crazy Colorado Weather

We arrived home just a bit ago after deciding to wait out the weather and the traffic due to a winter storm that moved in on Sunday. The crazy thing is that we left our friends' house in the mountains with no snow and arrived home to 8 inches of snow and a broken umbrella.  While the roads weren't great at times, traffic was great and the drive uneventful.


The boys after their marathon Monopoly game 
 


Eagle, CO - the view before we left 


The trees decorated in red, white and blue for the World Ski Championships in Vail, CO (taken from the interstate) 


Louisville, CO with 8 inches of snow
 




Sunday, February 15, 2015

Valentine's Day 2015

A relaxing day at chez de Smiley for our 2015 Valentine's Day. We watched ski racing, cooking shows, took naps, and enjoyed a nice walk. An amazing dinner of crab legs and steak and good conversation wrapped up a really nice day. 


My handsome Valentine 


Celebrating 17 years of friendship 


Our beautiful venue 


Yum!