Colorado Campfire

It was nice enough this week that I was able to get three walks in during the week. I found a new 30-minute loop and was also able to get in my old standard 45-min loop walk today. It was great to get outside, but the warmer weather also means that you can really smell the smoke in our neighborhood. This, of course, is not surprising given the amount of destruction in every direction. But, some lots are starting to be cleared and we are moving forward in small ways at our own home. As is so often the case, you can be grateful and sad at the same time. Overwhelmed and calm. Frustrated and productive. Moving forward and feel like you are standing still. And all of that is ok. 

Signs at the entrances of damaged neighborhoods

Bike path right by our house (golf course in background) 

Burning right up to this house 

Disaster of a Porch 

Cleaned (after the restoration company came by because we were not getting things done) 

Black snow - so much still in the air 

You can see the soot inside the rages above the front door 

New growth in the burn area 

And from the horrible events, there are new beginnings 

Belated Birthday

T-man decided to trade in his birthday massage for an outing with a couple of his buds to Podium Karting. It was a last minute decision, and so fun to focus on T-man for the afternoon. 

The boys had some food and enjoyed four rides for the price of three. There was a delay due to track repair so the boys also got in some ping pong. 

After we got home, we needed to park the other car in the garage and that led to some nice driving time for T-man. He got in some good practice and we picked up Sweet Cow ice cream while we were out. 

We wrapped up the night with dinner and homework. A nice outing to celebrate! 

Senior Stuff

The schedule is getting more full as D-man heads into the final weeks of his senior year (I’m not crying, you’re crying!) 

On Friday night, he cheered on the girl’s basketball team to a playoff victory and then hung out with friends. On Saturday morning, he presented his science research at the regional science fair. And on Saturday afternoon, he headed off to Colorado Springs for the State DECA event with tons of other Monarch Students (the majority of the trip funded by a GoFundMe campaign given that so many had lost everything). 

It seems small, but I am so happy he is getting to have these experiences. These kids have been robbed of these types of experiences last two years and I am so glad that he is able to participate in them. 

Science Fair Poster 

Ready for DECA! 

Fifty and Fabulous!

We celebrated our friend Lynne on Friday night with drinks, food and comedy. The Wilbanks lost their home in the Marshall fire so it was nice to be able to celebrate this milestone birthday and get in some laughs with their friends. 

With my sexy date 

Fun with friends 

So much fun celebrating Lynne! 

Gold Crown

At the last regular season game, the old Gold Crown team got together for a picture. These boys are still D-man’s best buds and glad they had the shared basketball experience together. 

Blackjack Anniversary

21 years. People tell you there will be ups and downs during married life. Of course, when you are young, it is hard to think what these could he. You anticipate the challenges of juggling kids and work and life, but then so much more can come your way - a flood, job loss, a stroke, loss of friends and loved ones, and wildfires (to name a few). While no one wants to go through these things, I can’t imagine going through them with anyone else. I love you Robert Marshall Peavy. 

Fitting right now as this picture is in a box surrounded by nerf guns 

I grabbed these two photos when we evacuated from the fires. So fortunate to still have them and so many other things. 

WP 2022

What a treat it was to “host” my sis and her family for a ski vacation in Winter Park. We all arrived on Saturday (PV family skied) and we all met up at our condo in old town Winter Park. 

We had two beautiful days for skiing and enjoyed time in the hot tub, playing games, watching Encanto and just being away, we figured out the path to walk to the slopes and while the condo didn’t have a lot of space, we were happy to be close to the slopes and have a private hot tub. 

The entire Marshall family was able to see a decent part of the mountain and we even got Jacki on the top of the Panoramic lift. Drew kept up with the older boys and Ari held his own as well. Drew and Sean got to ski on powder on Tuesday (and braved the cold) for only $50 thanks to my friend Alana. 

We headed home late Monday night to beat the weather and we got to see the Marshall’s before they headed to the airport (for their very delayed flight). So thankful for this time with them all! 

On the lift! 

Most of the crew 

Marshall family 

Sisters 

Condo is back behind there 

Pitch 

View from the condo 

On top of Pano 

Hot tubbing 

Encanto 

Bonus visit 

It Gets Worse…..

Before it gets better. This is a phrase I remember my mom saying when I was a child as she sorted the basement. That phrase is something that is certainly true in our life right now. Fortunately, we are starting to see the better part as we get the house in order. 

The amount of laundry my mom did this weekend has gotten us so much closer to being in a normal state. And while here, they had to balance the insulation installation (lots of time in the basement), TV challenges and a snow storm. But, we enjoyed prepared meals thanks to my cousins and their spouses, celebrated Valentine’s Day, enjoyed sushi and Thai take out, played a bit of cards Friday night, watched Olympics and played some cribbage games. Mom and I went on a coffee commute on Friday morning and we got in a couple walks around the block. 

It was a crazy week, but having my parents here was extremely helpful. We are so fortunate to have so many people willing to help us and this week we were reminded of this again. 

Folding laundry and sorting hangers 

Yup - the tree is still up, but the soft goods  people did come this week 

Friday night cards - boys came back from 51-10. 

Take out Thai 

The homemade clothes line mom made in the storage area (reminded her of a clothes line hung by my mother that she still uses) 

More laundry


Final game of cards 

Life

Our life right now. 

Insulation removal, laundry, snow. 

Remediation trucks throughout neighborhood 

Working from the Coal Creek Clubhouse while insulation being removed 

Shoveling snow with the boys 

Feb 14 ❤️

The boys are now all in on Valentine’s Day being the “worst holiday.”  However, they each came through on their Valentine gifts and I was fortunate to receive kind cards, chocolates, a rose bush, and amazing flowers. I had a big fat fail for Marshall, but considering he has trained the boys that it is the worst holiday, I hope he knows that my love is so much more than today. 

I took this picture on Valentine’s Day to show the reality of our world right now and really life in general. There is beauty coexisting with the mess all around us. The flowers and all the laundry in our living room speak to that for sure. And we are so fortunate to be in our home and feeling the love amidst the crazy. 

 Beautiful 

Winter Ultimate

T-man wrapped up his 6-week ultimate league today. He was able to play four weeks and had a fun time and let some new kids and worked on some skills. I’m glad he has found a sport he really enjoys. 

Taking off after a pull 

Spirit award for a game today