MVP

Tanner wrapped up his indoor winter ultimate league today and came home with a new bag as the winner of the MVP award. His team went 1-10 this season, but he went every week and we talked about how this is an opportunity to encourage younger teammates and lead. His efforts were obviously noticed. I'm so glad he has found such a wonderful community. 

He wrapped up the day with his competitive ultimate clinic as well as hosting a Super Bowl party - the first party in the new kitchen. We really should have some people over to see it..... 

48 Hours in COMO

A quick trip to Columbia, Missouri (COMO) to visit the University of Missouri. It was a brisk day (especially if you don't have a coat!) and a pretty typical college tour - overview presentation, a tour of campus and lunch in a dining hall. We then took our own tour around some other buildings before arriving at the engineering building for our engineering tour (where we caught students dropping eggs protected by straws). 

We chilled in the hotel a bit before heading to dinner in downtown Columbia. We walked and drove around a bit before heading home through campus and through dumb luck, saw the ultimate team playing. Tanner joined them and had a great time. 

We had breakfast at the hotel before heading to a coffee shop uptown before we headed back to Kansas City for our delayed flight. 

This 1:1 time is such a precious gift and I'm so excited for Tanner  and this next phase of his life. 

Tanner was not happy with all the KC Chief decorations

Checking out the Physics display 

Concrete canoe is always a hit

Bbq and root beer

Ultimate practice 

Coffee date

Downtown COMO

Exit row! 

 

From Slopes to Soaks

High winds meant almost all of the Winter Park resort was closed for the day. Unfortunately, we found out right as we got to the hill. We decided we were not going to wait it out and instead got creative and went to the Hot Sulfur Springs about 30 minutes up the road. 

I appreciate Marshall being willing to entertain my crazy idea. It certainly was an interesting spot, but we enjoyed the adventure. The worst part is some pretty horrific traffic we still find ourself stuck in...... 

Weekend in WP

A quick trip to Winter Park to put the ski pass to work. We took two cars so Tanner could come back for Ultimate Frisbee on Sunday. 

The trip up was pretty quick and we stopped for dinner at a brewery in WP before we headed to our rental. While I packed all the necessary food, I forgot games and a speaker. We ended up playing Taboo which was fun before turning in early. 

Saturday was a crowded day on the mountain, but Tanner skied mostly by himself on harder terrain and avoided the lines. We all skied together for a bit and also grabbed lunch together. Tanner chilled a bit and then headed back home. Marshall enjoyed a casual dinner, some wine and booked our tickets to Italy. Yay! 

A quick, but fun trip and good to get a day on the mountain. 

 

Ventuno

Drake celebrated his 21st (ventuno) in Florence with a Florentine steak dinner with three of his roommates. Apparently, Florentine steak is a thing and the steak houses have the meat sitting in the case to look at through the windows. 

It sounded like a great experience with free Prosecco as well as free desert. Winning!  (He also went to class and later walked around in the rain on the worst weather of the stay so far. It sounds like a night at the club was also part of the birthday activities. 

Obviously, turning 21 in a country where the legal drinking age is long come and gone means the celebrations are a bit different, but a memory to share for all time. No pictures of the birthday boy, but a few picks of the 2.2 kgs of the chianina steak. Yes - they shared the steak. Happy, happy birthday to our eldest. We love you! 

Aperitivo!

Drake started his 3-week management class today which is gonna be intense. We had a nice chat this morning and got a tour of his apartment. He was about to sit down for aperitivo on his balcony after receiving news his washer is broken. On a positive note, they are one of the few apartments that has a dishwasher. 

He also got to Pisa on Monday. New experiences and learning every day. 

Week 1 in Florence

It looks as though Drake has "survived" his first week in Florence. This week is all about getting comfortable in Florence - orientation, safety, local site seeing, etc. Classes start on Wednesday. 

He's settled into his tiny apartment with four other young men. He's got a very central location and only a 15-min walk to class. Here are a few pics from his first week. 

First night dinner 

Duomo - 3 minute walk from his place 

Fun cocktail bar 

Found a grocery store and cooking in 

View of Florence

Three kids on the left are roommates. 

Florence Bound

Other than a super hot flight and waiting in a long line to catch the shuttle to get his apartment keys, the travel was uneventful. We strategized on the packing, used packing cubes and got in all the necessary items in one big bag.  We even found a bag that fit the "personal item" dimensions in my stash of bags. It wasn't sexy, but it got the job done. The travel backpack also worked well and will hopefully be a great companion on some epic European adventures.  

Tanner came along for the drop off which was extremely easy with no lines at the airport. I'm so excited for this adventure for Drake and look forward to many stories. 

The Final Push

The arctic blast meant that none of us were really in the mood to leave the house. We did venture out to pick up some food and some shoes for the Italy trip and Tanner headed out for his indoor Ultimate league, but other wise we hunkered down. We busied ourselves with football, games, pool, Fortnite with cousins, movies, packing and cooking (well, I busied myself with this). The boys also went to Freddy's for lunch on Sunday - cheese curds, shakes and burgers were the food of choice. 

We also enjoyed a salmon dinner, surf and turf with asparagus and baked potatoes, sausage and eggs for breakfast and Boulder sausage for lunch on Monday before departing. 

I will remember this staycation weekend fondly. I only wish Marshall could have been here with us. 

Cozy Abducktion

A snowy Friday evening as an arctic cold blast moves in meant that we were not up for much here at the Peavy household. 

Marshall departed for India around 11:00 so it was just the boys and me. We tried out a new game - Abducktion which has been a fun new strategic game that has gotten some good use. 

We did venture out to Lafayette to The Post for fried chicken and a new place for the boys. (We strategized where to go based on food Drake may be able to get abroad and landed on fried chicken). 

The picture of the game makes me happy for several reasons: 

• Playing with both boys 
• The Miami logo 
• Playing in our new kitchen

Definitely a night to fill a mama's heart.