February Update

Wow, I just realized I have been lax in updating..........what's been going on?  Grandma is still here and plans on returning to Ohio in May after Lauren's wedding shower.  Arn and I have been trying to walk more since we haven't had snow since the last big dump when we made the snow dragon.  Arn worked over a whole week which tired him out and I have been trying to work as much as possible.  Some of the recent walks/hikes we've taken..............walked from Spruce Mt. Trailhead almost to Larkspur (6 mi.), Black Forest Section 16, thru the fire burn area (4mi.), Monument Preserve with Tyler, Lauren and the dogs (over 3 mi.) , around  the neighborhood (over 3 mi.), and I stopped on the way home from work and walked 4 mi. on the Santa Fe Trail until the Air Force Academy closure (should reopen this spring).  We took a mud hike on the Lincoln Mt. Open Space for 4 mi. which was a mess and now are checking out some of the drier places we don't usually go until the snow melts and the ground dries up.
I have also been trying to keep up with Betty Rocker, a 30 day challenge workout video series.  Gotta get this excess poundage off!

Puff the Snow Dragon

Arn and I were busy for a couple of hours this past Sunday before the Super Bowl.  What started as a snowman became a robot, then a cat, then a dinosaur, and finally a dragon.  We really started getting into it and raided the trash can (the Christmas tree was still in there since the trash wasn't picked up due to the blizzard). Some pieces of it became his toenails.  The weather was warm that day and will be warm for the next few days so we think that Puff won't be around for long.

Our new Nordic Ski area

  This winter has been great for Nordic skiing.  We've used our skiis almost weekly depending on the snow. Our golf course has a new nordic center with a volunteer director  - Michael Brothers, a top-ranked Nordic skier who represented the U.S. Armed Forces at seven Military World Ski Championships and, as a biathlete, in the 2002 Winter Olympic trials, and he is doing a great job.  He grooms the trails daily and we usually go a couple times a week for 1-2 hrs. We've always skiied at the club but it's great to have groomed trails. 

Happy Birthday Meredith!

My youngest turned 28 yesterday.........it doesn't seem possible.  We spent last weekend together and went out for a great sushi lunch.  She had been in Denver for a dental conference and extended the weekend.  She and Tim were going to go to Ouray but a snowstorm kept them in CB. They went to a hot springs outside Gunnison (want to check it out) and got some powder skiing. Happy Birthday Meredith Ann!!

Merry Christmas 2016

We had a great Christmas this year even though we missed having Grandma with us.  All of the kids made it home on Christmas eve.  Lauren spent her first Christmas with us too.  Arn and I had blazed a cross country trail through our lot, the empty lot next to us, and a neighbors lot.  Mere and Time brought their nordic skiis and everyone took turns using the trail.  Tyler and Lauren got snowshoes for Christmas but now they also want some nordic skiis.  We all went to mass on Christmas Eve and then had our traditional cioppinno.  We played games and had a Santa trading exchange game too.  On Christmas day we opened gifts, had monkey bread, skiied, and made prime rib.  Val and Eric needed to leave on Christmas Day but Tyler, Lauren, Mere, and Tim were all able to stay until the 26th. Unfortunately we forgot to take a group pic............and as always ....no pics of me!

Happy Birthday Valerie!

Valerie took off from work for her birthday on the 22nd.  We picked her up and headed to Devil's Thumb Ranch in Tabernash.  It was absolutely beautiful with miles and miles of trails.  We skied for about 2 hrs., had a couple of apps and a beer and headed back to Golden so she could spend the rest of her birthday with Eric.  We liked it so much we bought a 10 punch pass so we will definitely be heading back up there to nordic ski before the end of the season.