Sunday, February 19, 2017

Snow, Snow, Hello Snow


Cally had a favorite book when she was really little.  It started out with a refrain, "Snow, snow, hello snow.  Glad to see you, don't you know".  She always wanted us to read it.  We read it over and over and over again.  We were so sick of it, but loved it just the same.  It disappeared. It was bittersweet.  In any case, we've been waiting for an amazing snow cycle for years and this February, we finally got it.  


It was so fun to have gobs and gobs of snow for a few weeks.

skiing Bolton to Trapps with my wombats
Bolton to Trapps
So fun to see these guys riding the chair together

My ski buddy!
Screaming barfies-- defrosting toes
The best part about all this snow was the backcountry skiing.  John and I managed to get out numerous times together and on our own.  Being in the woods, earning our turns is what we both love.  Not only do we get guaranteed fresh tracks, but we get to be in the woods, away from the bustle of our everyday life.  It is elixer for my soul. 






We even managed to make it to Burke Mountain.  I hadn't been since I was a teenager, but my dear friend Greer lured us there (by being there to visit her sister) and we loved it.


Skiing with my oldest ski buddy of all-- Greer
Instant friends
Skiing makes me so happy.  Skiing with my family makes me even happier.  Seeing my kids really enjoy the experience of skiing is what makes living in Vermont and doing what we are doing all worthwhile to me.  Whether we are nordic skiing, backcountry skiing, or doing lift service, it is hard to be unhappy when you are in the mountains with great people.  These two weeks in February exceeded my expectations.  I feel so, so lucky!

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Happy Birthday Hazey!


This little man is 6!  Here's six reasons we love this guy so much:
  1. He goes for it! I'm not sure whether to call it grit or tenacity, but this kid does not give up very easily.  He tries and he tries again if it doesn't go as planned. 
  2. He is a total goof ball-- whether dancing around with underpants on his head or telling jokes, he loves to laugh and make people laugh around him. 
  3. He is a love bomber.  He's never one to hold back with hugs and kisses and statements of adoration.  Just when I need it the most and am not expecting it, he throws out a kiss or an "I love you, Mom".
  4. He's curious  He surprises me with his great questions about current events or a movie and wondering about how things work.
  5. He's creative.  This may involve a ton of tape and paper scraps or wood and nails, but he loves to make all sorts of inventions and solutions to "problems".
  6. He knows what he wants!  This is a guy who doesn't hold back on letting you know what he prefers or does not like at all. 


Cynthia made Hazey his favorite lemon cake and we spent his special day with the "Fairy Godparents":




He was thrilled  to get a ukelele:


We celebrated as a family by going out to eat at the Jericho Cafe and Tavern.  Hazey has taken to wearing his blazer and tie any time we head out to someone's house for dinner or a restaurant.  He's even been wearing it to school?!?!??!  


talking on the phone to Bumpa and Grandma
New backpack
 To celebrate his special day, Hazey wanted to have a skiing birthday party.  This did limit his invite list to friends that both skied and had a pass at Smuggs, but it worked out really, really well.


He had another delicious lemon cake, this one made by Auntie Cara in the yurt after taking a bunch of runs with a really fun pack of kids.


We love you little man!  Such a great celebration of you.