Ski trip!

The kids had 2 days off school so we took an extra day and hit the road!  We picked the kids up from school on Thursday and headed to Uncle Robb's house.  We spent the night there and left early Friday morning (Gram's birthday!) for Breckenridge, Co.   Nathan's uncle & cousins own a condo there that they graciously let us have for a long weekend. 

I will preface this blog with this: Addison didn't even want to go back to Colorado.  And she definitely didn't want to ski!  The kids both took ski/board lessons the first day.  By the time I picked her up she had a smile on her face and was ready to go back up the lift and show me her stuff.  She is now PASSIONATE about skiing!  And there were at least 3 of us that couldn't beat her down the mountain by the end of the trip.

I can't even describe the fullness of my heart on the last day of skiing/boarding.  There was 4" of fresh powder.  We get off the ski lift and I'm a bit skeptical of the fresh powder and worried the kids would have a difficult time with it.  Fifty feet in and we were all gliding through the powder like we were on clouds of fluff.  All day we just skied & boarded in sync with one another.  Just to look down the mountain and see my family all together in such a beautiful setting and having the time of our lives.  We would get down to the ski lift and be talking over each other about the awesome trip down.  The kids would be talking about who was going to go up the lift together... I didn't want that day to end!  

Here we go...

Stopped at Starbucks for a birthday breakfast for Gram! 

Our equipment!

Our lil professional skier

Beautiful day for a ski/board!

On the gondola headed up the mountain.  These are Nathan's cousins- Justin & Jennifer.  Meeting Jennifer for the first time.  Great couple!

a couple that boards together... stays together...

He LOVED his cool board!

Beautiful pic of Breckenridge.

morning!

Morning in the condo

Gram!

Justin & Jennifer came up for the morning. Great seeing them & meeting Jennifer!

Joan's brother & nephews own this condo we stayed in.  It couldn't be in a better location!  And we were SO grateful to borrow it for the long weekend!

Gondola fun!

EASY walk to the gondola.

Gram ventured up with us one day after lunch. She just stayed on the gondola and rode it straight back!

Uncle & his besties.

Ski BUDDIES!

The skiers/boarders.

WORN OUT!  That's a successful day of skiing/boarding!

Can't wait for the next family trip back to Colorado!

Fancy Night 2012

Every Christmas Eve Grandpa Bob treats the family to a VERY fancy night!  Every other year we get to join the fun (since every other year we are with my parents & Figs on Christmas Eve).

This year we went to the Grand Cru.  We were entertained by a live piano that took requests.  It was a super fun evening of family, amazing food (I got lobster stuffed trout!), music and fanciness. 

Uncle Robb & Jackson.  Best buds.

Jackson looking handsome. 

Lovebirds.

Me & mini me.

Silly girls.

I could kiss that face off somedays!

Uncle Robb & his fave's.

I can't believe I didn't get a picture of Gram & Grandpa!!  Terrible me!

Thank you Gram & Grandpa for the fabulous evening filled with MANY memories!  We love you!

Grandma & Grandpa's Christmas FUN!

Grandma Norma loves to do something fun for the great grandkids (and grandkids) every year.  We had SO much fun last year at Flipz USA (a gymnastics gym) that we went back again this year.  And as always, the adults have about as much fun as the kids!

Erica leaping from the wall!

Cousins Alexa & Josh jumping from the wall.

Jackson jumping into the foam pit.

Addi practicing her beam skills.

Ashton leaping from the wall. 

Jaelyn on the beam.

This seems to be the big hit with the boys.  This year they built a ramp!

Ashton crashing.

A fun cupcake snowman!

A grand treat!

Thanks Grandma & Grandpa!  We always have a great time and you know exactly how to make the kids feel special!  We love you!

Christmas w/ Nana & Papa

Since the Figs were heading to Massachusetts we did Christmas early this year.  It didn't stop us from keeping our traditions.  Mom made her traditional mexican feast (I think it gets better every year!) and we had a great evening.  The kids are getting more excited the older they get and dinner was WAY too LONG and boring for them!  I can remember this SO vividly as a child.  Mom & Dad and Grandpa & Grandma would eat SO SLOWLY and talk and talk and talk.  So, I could feel their pain :)  

  Cousins.  And best of buds.

 I always love when the kids gather around Grandma & Grandpa.  And always try to snap a shot.

Heather bought mom a picture cover (of the 4 grandkids) for her iphone.  

I have to record this moment.  Mom said "This is the BEST present I've EVER gotten!".  If you've ever bought a present for my mom you know how HUGE this statement is.  And Heather will carry this the rest of her life.  Mom is the hardest person to shop for!

Another present of the night!  Hess Helicopter! Very happy boy. Thanks Auntie! 

Auntie hit the jackpot with presents this year.  Girl lego's for Addi!  She had the house and car built before we left Nana & Papa's! 

Us cousins used to play Wahoo on a board just like this that my grandpa had made YEARS ago (same board that my grandpa had YEARS before I was born).  This year he made boards for all the grandkids.  Favorite gift of the year for me.  And what memories we will make with this board!

I also gave some good gifts this year :)  When you give Parker a great gift you will know it.  When you do not give Parker a good gift... you will know it.  Immediately.  LOVE this boy!   

Another great gift... Thanks Nana!  Lap workspace. 

Love these two lovebirds.  SO MUCH.  And feel SO blessed to have them near us.  And especially this year... they didn't leave for Florida so we've had them the whole season!