Check Off Florida

D-man was excited that we decided to have a stop over on our way to Bahamas so that he could check off Florida from his list.  T-man was excited to test out his new snokle gear in the pool. Marshall and I were excited for beverages by the pool. 

It was a long day, but we're on our way. 

Pool time 

Pizza (and beverages) by the pool 

Nana and Pop Visit

So nice to have my parents here for a long weekend. It was a pretty laid back weekend, but we did manage to watch lacrosse, hit the driving range AND play a round of golf, do a bit of shopping, enjoy drinks on the patio, take some walks, and just enjoy being together. 

Putting with Pop 

Lacrosse scrimmage 

Shopping for hats 

Using the golf membership from Nana and Pop 

Shopping with Nana 

Sweet Cow for ice cream 

Girls Weekend (kind of)

Ok well, not really a true girls weekend, but cocktails, wine, sushi and a day of skiing comes close (even with two kiddos around). 

It was great to have Nadja and Fisher here for Saturday evening and then with us on a quick trip to Eldora. It was perfect temps and snow was pretty decent for spring skiing. It even started snowing after lunch. So fun to be able to go skiing so close to home with a great friend! 

Wrestling Wrap-up

Middle school wrestling came to an end at the district meet. D-man went 1-2 in a couple of hard fought matches for a season ending record of 7-5. While Marshall and I were shocked he wanted to go out, he really enjoyed the season so much so that he just said, "I really love wrestling, but not enough to give up basketball." 

The best for me was watching D-man take tips from Marshall and be on a school team with kids in all middle school grades. 

Taking it all in 

Styling in Beaver Creek

After a fun Friday evening, we finally made it to the Vail Valley to ski this season. It was a beautiful day of spring season in Beaver Creek and fun to spend the day with friends on the slopes. 

Shredding 

Skiing the trees 

Styling in my new ski outfit 

Quince Anos

Today Marshall and I celebrated our 15 year anniversary. After attending a wrestling meet, we ordered pizza for the boys and headed to 740 Front Street in downtown Louisville for dinner. It was a fun night trying a new place and you realize 15 years is a pretty long time because your kids don't need a sitter. Happy anniversary to my amazing partner in crime. Thanks for going on this journey with me. 

Buffalo carpaccio (and my handsome date) 

Celebrating! 

6 - 3

D-man joined the middle school wresting team a few weeks ago. They have had 3 meets and he is 6-3. Today he was behind by 3 and 5 points in the 3rd period, but ended up pinning each of those opponents. In between victories, he was pinned in 10 seconds. 

http://youtu.be/Krn8GIlp0zk

This video was of his third match (videography isn't great, but you get the point). He's really enjoying it. We've got one more week left. 

Cousin #7 Finally Arrives!

Last week, the boys' 7th cousin arrived. While Kate Jean Marshall, took her own sweet time, she was well worth the wait. We can't wait to meet her in person! Congratulations to the Marshall family. 

Grit

This weekend, T-man learned about grit. His basketball team played a very good team that was really scoring a lot of points. T-man was in tears and wanted to quit after being scored on several times. We talked about not quitting and being there for your team. We were SO proud of the way he stayed with it and finished the game - 8 points in the 2nd half! 

Here's a video of 2 of those points.

http://youtu.be/pZ67kLJvfAE

T-man was also honored at the half time of the CU Women's Basketball game for being the most improved reader in his class on Sunday. CU partners with Boulder Valley schools for this program. As this is an area of development for T-man, we obviously we're very proud of him and his accomplishments. It's taken a lot of grit to get here. 

With his buddy Logan who was also honored 

Down on the floor 

Parading around the court (see #8) 

Copper Mountain Weekend

We were fortunate enough to stay with friends at their condo for President's Day weekend. We enjoyed skiing at Copper, hottubbing, playing games, and just being with friends. Saturday was a bluebird day and Sunday brought in some fresh snow. T-man took another snowboard lesson and D-man and his friend were able to tackle every lift on the mountain. No traffic either direction pretty much made for a super weekend - well.....except for Marshall's poles.....

Saturday's view 

Chillin' in the village 

With his friend on the lift 

Hanging 

We Got Our Money's Worth

 

Our evening at the Buff/Coug game was an exciting one. We ended up getting free tickets at the door (woohoo!) and then got to take in a double overtime game. It was a very exciting game, but unfortunately, the Cougs ended up on the short end of the stick (again). Both boys were really cheering for the Cougs in the 2nd half (D-man wore his CU shirt for the 1st half and Coug shirt for the 2nd half). Gramma and Granddad would have been SO proud of their Coug cheering grandsons! 

These games are tough for Marshall as he has dual allegiances, but it was a fun game and with no school today, it was a great night to go! 

 

Playing Hooky

Late last night we decided to take the boys to the Broncos parade in downtown Denver.  I cancelled some meetings, checked out the bus schedule and told the boys this morning. They were both very excited (one to go to the parade and one to just miss school). 

After picking up the boys from school, we headed to the Park-n-Ride only to be told that people had been waiting two hours at the bus stop. We aborted that plan and decided to take matters into our own hands. Surprising, we hit very little traffic, found a strategic parking spot (a mere mile away from the route) and then hoofed it to Marshall's office. It was a gorgeous day and a really fun adventure - you definitely see a different side to the city when you're walking. 

T-man's favorite part was getting a candy bar at Marshall's office; D-man's was seeing the Lombardi trophy. I loved taking it all in and having Marshall be able to join us for lunch. It was truly a magical day and hopefully one the boys will remember for years to come. I know Marshall and I will. 

T-man's Talents

T-man had quite the last few days. On Friday, he was presented with an I-CARE award during the monthly community gathering at school. He earned it for respect.  

On Saturday, he scored 6 points in his basketball game and was having a phenomenal game until he stole the ball and was knocked down and hit his head on the concrete gym floor. He was a trooper. 

On Sunday while Marshall and D-man were at basketball games in Greeley, T-man and I had a breakfast date at the Huckleberry in downtown Louisville. T-man picked the place and we had such a nice time chatting, people watching, and looking for Bronco gear (we even spotted a dog in a Bronco jersey). 

We are so proud of his accomplishments and the young man he is becoming, 

Our breakfast date with yummy coffee and Huckleberry lemonade 

Super Bowl 50 Champs!

We didn't think we would win two weeks ago. We didn't think we would win tonight. And yet, the Broncos had other plans. As we tell the boys, that is why you play the game. 

It was fun to cheer on the Broncos to   victory as a family. Likely, this is the only time this will happen and we're thankful for this memory. GO BRONCOS! 

Epic Escape

Or not......in our case......but, we still had fun on a night out in Denver with friends. After failing in the Epic Escape Games in Denver, we enjoyed deep dish pizza and libations. The boys enjoyed their evening hanging with friends as well. 

The Melting Pot

When we were on the ski lift last weekend, people on the lift asked us our favorite restaurant in Louisville. T-man popped up with Smashburger and D-man with The Melting Pot. And since it was his choice for his birthday dinner, we headed there for dinner tonight (thanks to Marshall scoring last minute reservations). 

It really is a fun experience with the boys - probably one of the rare ones where we aren't trying to rush out the door and the boys are continually asking when we are leaving. And who can say no to chocolate fondue?

Um - not a great selfie but a great night 

Uncle Marshall Visit!

Marshal had a business trip to Minneapolis and made a surprise visit to the Marshall family. He delivered a couple little gifts, hung out for a bit, and then help put Ari to bed.  So glad it worked out! 

The Pure Joy of a Snow Day

There aren't many things these days that bring both boys to that really excited state - the one where they end up shaking their fists in excitement or wanting to hug is. But today, a snow brought out this reaction from each boy separately. 

It was a nice day to be able to stay in. I worked and they did the typical snow day activities - watched TV, played video games, played board games, wrestled, and did a bit of baking - peanut butter balls and snow ice cream. We also got the drive shoveled and T-man went sledding with the neighborhood crew. 

Most of all, I was happy to see them enjoy being together. They laughed, sang, and just chatted away. I hope that never ends. 

Lots of snow 

Playing stratego 

Making snow ice cream 

The other baker 

Cheers!