Spring Break

 Here are some highlights of our amazing spring break in Colorado.

I didn't get any skiing pictures, although it was certainly a highlight.

Above is the sleigh ride to a ranch for a delicious dinner.

 These guys were pretty silly.

 This one was very graceful.

 This one almost got in trouble for hitting the photographer with a snowball.

 Happy boy with a steak dinner in front of him. 

In fact all 12 of us were happy eaters that night.

 After 5 days in Keystone, we headed back down the mountains to Jil's house for a night.

Dance Party 3 was a big hit with nearly everyone.

Jil took video and she may post it. I kind of hope she doesn't because it might be of me.

Dancing is hard.

 It was really warm back in Louisville, like a beach day if we had been in SB. 

We all went to the elementary school to play for a while.

Lu and Sue got on quite well.

This was as close as I got to a picture of the agreeable cousins.

Not great as there are only 5 of them.

Hopefully, Jil got a good picture of everyone.

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For more pictures of CO check out Grandma Cindy's here.

Lucy's Colorado Adventure

Lucy is in Colorado!

(This picture is at the Santa Barbara Airport, however)

She flew out with Grandma Cindy last Saturday and is gone for the whole week.

Here is what they have been up to: Desert Grandparents.

Oahu

Our trip to Oahu was so wonderful. We sightsee'd our way around the island, we visited the Bishop Museum, we went to Waikiki, we ate poke, we saw the big waves on the North Sohre, we were warm! Above is at the Ho'omaluhia Botanic Garden.

Snorkeling! It was the first time for my kids and they took to it quickly. Mae and Lucy kept up with me!

Everyone loved the warm water. Such a special treat for us, as our normal Pacific is really cold.

We had a coconut tree in the backyard that Mae climbed and picked coconuts from a few times. Yes, we ate them!

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Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes! I had a wonderful day, full of good food (lots of fresh whipped cream) and great presents.

Lucy is 8!

This lovely girl turned 8 over spring break...while we were on vacation.....

in Hawaii!!

She opened a few presents before we left, a few while we were there, a few when we got back and still has some coming! Lucky girl.

The cake was vanilla with chocolate frosting decorated with fresh flowers. Not a culinary masterpiece, but it was pretty and just what the birthday girl wanted.

More Disney!

Here are some more pictures from our trip to Disneyland.

The girls with the Princesses. Snow White and Isabel are holding Sweet Cow stickers.

The girls with Pinocchio.

Josie & Tilly heading in to Splash Mountain.

Jil & Isabel on It's A Small World.

Josie, Tilly & Grandpa Ray on Grizzly River Run.

Liz, Jil & Isabel on Grizzly River Run - before we got wet!

The girls at California Adventure (more Sweet Cow stickers).

Ray, Jil & Josie getting ready to be shot out of the cannon on California Screamin'.

Isabel driving the bumper cars.

The last day we went to Huntington Beach to see the ocean. The girls had a blast. I was freezing in pants and a sweatshirt but they got their bathing suits on and played in the water for a while. There was also a surfing competition going on so that was cool to watch, the Pier Classic.

Isabel enjoying the beach.

Disneyland!!!

Good news, bad news. The good news is that we had a great time at Disneyland with Grandpa Ray, Liz and Liz's mom Dixie. The bad news is I left my camera in the bathroom the first day and when I went back to look for it 15 minutes later, it was gone...never to be seen again. I still can't believe no one turned it in. I had faith in humanity that someone would do the right thing. Oh well. Here are a few pictures from my phone, not great quality, while I wait for my disposable camera pictures to be developed. Let me tell you, it's not that easy to find a place that still develops film :)

At Huntington Beach on the last day.

Me, Josie and Grandpa Ray riding the California Screamin' for the 3rd time.

The girls and the hats they picked for themselves.

More to come...

Merry Christmas!

Here are a few pictures from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Josie getting the cookies ready for Santa and the carrots ready for the reindeer.

All 3 girls putting their "Thank you" notes out for Santa.

Getting nestled all snug in their bed.

Chance read The Night Before Christmas to the girls.

All 3 finally fell asleep.

This is what it looked like before they came downstairs.

Waiting patiently at the top of the stairs to get the "all clear" sign from dad.

Everybody opening stockings, even Sue. Santa is so thoughtful.

Excitement!

New boots from Santa.

More Oregon Ducks gear for dad.

Chance and Josie setting up a marble rolling game.

The Christmas Explosion in full force.

Sue resting after a long Christmas morning.

High and Dry 2011

Even though this was the 5th Annual High and Dry Bluegrass Festival, it was our 1st time going. I'm pretty sure we'll be going back next year. It was awesome. Henry helped out driving the water tractor pre-festival.

Out walking the fields.

This band - the cleverly named Nancy & Jennifer (although in this picture they are Jennifer & Nancy)-was one of many amazing performances.

Some more of the family enjoying the show.

Lucy found a few friends and spent the whole time in the creek or making mud pies or roaming around having fun. Henry spent most of his time on wheeled vehicles. Mae listened, watched and soaked in everything musical or hunted for peacock feathers. I was lucky enough to sit in the shade (very warm shade), crochet, listen to fabulous music and sip ice cold tea. Bliss!

One of two hilarious and fabulous performances from Great Northern Planes (is there supposed to be a 'the' in front of their name?). I have to say, my favorite musical part of the weekend was in the kitchen cooking eggs for the kids (fresh from the chickens) while hearing these guys warm up for their show in the living room. I wish I could make dinner like that every night? I think I'll ask them to come down. They're probably looking for another gig now anyway, right?

Mae got a private lesson under the trees. If only we could find that kind of instruction down here.

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All in all, it was a wonderful trip. Relaxing, warm, musical, family, fast cars & trikes, creeky.

I've even pulled out my banjo for the first time in a long time. Maybe next year Mae and I can join the family band.