The rest of winter 2012-2013

 Our first winter down valley was warmer than any we have had in years. We barely had any snow until mid January and then the weather dumped on us until the end of February. Even though it was a huge snow month or so, we barely had to shovel down here.....that was awesome! We still managed to ski and snowboard a good bit. Dylan loved hockey and we spent many weekends on the road and at the rink watching games and practices. Colter liked ski club and competed in his first downhill race.

  Colter's winter: snuggle kitty by the fire as much as possible, snuggle Mom or Dad and read books, ski and snowboard with Jackson, Eli or Coach Jake  (and Mom, Dad or D when all else fails), go to ski club and go down almost all of the expert runs on the mountain, jump off as many objects that can be found on or near the ski mountain, find new ways to fly through the air for giggles, go to as many skate parks as possible to perfect scootering tricks, build Lego anything, raise chickens in the basement until they are big enough for the yard, mountain bike a bit, play at the down valley park weather permitting. sketch, mold, build or any form of create endeavor, play board games, chess or any card game and play as much Minecraft as Mommy will allow. Colter is a very kind soul and he created snowman kits that he sold and gave all the money to the animal shelter, it was their biggest donation that month!

Dylan's winter: snuggle Mom or Dad and read books-especially Calvin and Hobbes or Dr Suess, play board games, Uno, chess or anything else that will allow him to "take you down!!",  bang on his drum set or play air guitar to his favorite rock and roll songs, ski and snowboard with Mom, Dad and big bro- going way too fast and getting way to good for only being 5, learn to play hockey- going from barely skating to goal scoring and goal saving force on the ice in mere months, still loves Santa and dressing up in costume for any occasion, make snow angels, help shovel the deck in camo rain boots, mountain biking, and being so tired that he fell asleep sitting up in the tub. Dylan has a great attitude toward life. loves to sing and dance and is always up for a new adventure. 

 The boys spent New Year's at Modee and Pappy's house with their cousins, we are hoping that is an annual tradition!
Eli and Colter both competed in their first down hill ski race this year and placed in the top ten. Modee actually got on skis to cheer them on.

We had an unexpected HUGE milestone this spring.......all four of us hiked Bald Mountain and skied Jackpot! Colter and Trevor were planning on going all the way up and D stepped up and said he wanted to go too, so we all trudged up to the very top. I think I am more impressed that both boys hiked all the way up (really fast and with no complaints) than the actual skiing. Colter even hiked back down a bit to help me carry Dylan's skis, such a little gentleman.

 I was lucky enough to fly to Texas for a long weekend to help celebrate Mimi's 90th birthday. She is absolutely, hands down one of my favorite people ever! I also got to hang out with my crazy fun cousins (Carrie and Brooke are in the picture above) and catch up on their lives.

 March brought us a fun weekend of biking (dirt biking for Trevor) and playing in Moab and a cardboard sled derby. The boys (including the Dads) had so much fun building and racing their sled, they are already planning next years design. Jackson and Simon Aplin are in these pictures with my boys.

 For the first time.......ever.........I got new skis. Not just new skis, but custom made just for me new skis. Our neighbor is starting his own ski company and mine are pair #13. I love them, they are very pretty, oh yeah and they ski pretty good too. I was also able to go on my first hut trip in years up to Alta Lakes. I made my first AT back country turns and used skins to climb up mountains. Super group of athletic, cool ladies to hang out with......I learned a lot.

And this brings us to the end of the season, here we are at the top of the mountain. Happy Thoughts indeed!