Keystone Ski Trip

We were back out in Colorado for our annual ski trip.  The snow was much better this year and with potty training behind us Dylan was eligible for ski lessons...at 3 years old!  We had him out last year so this wasn't his first experience but you never know - we hoped for the best.

Dylan at Ski School

After a big dose of Warren Miller ski videos in the condo Dylan was pretty excited about getting out there, even asking if he could "ski over some cars."  Les told him that it was probably a few years off but..."yes, someday Daddy will let you ski over (somebody elses) car."

We couldn't have been more proud of the little man, he absolutely loved ski school (Keystone prides itself on making the experience fun for the kids).  They did a great job teaching him the fundamentals of the snow plow (pizza pie) which is enough to give him the confidence to tackle real hills.

So, after a few runs down the training hill we took him down a steeper run (and a real chair lift).  Dylan was awesome - we wish we had begun at his age!

We're already thinking about another spring trip out west to get the little man back on the slopes, looking forward to the day when Mummy and Daddy are chasing Dylan down the Black runs!  (I just hope he doesn't discover snow boards!).

Merry Christmas 2012!

Our Christmas Card for 2012

Here we are at another Christmas - seems like just yesterday that summer was yielding to the cooler temperatures of football season.  Dylan was a lot of fun - we mailed our list to Santa and hoped for the best - all the while trying hard to show the Elf on the Shelf that we were on our best behavior   The man in red came through again this year and Dylan took in quite a haul of new toys, Mummy and Daddy weren't left out either.  Notable was a new toy minivan for Dylan and a (toy) Porsche GT3 for Daddy (what can I say...the kid likes Minivans!)

Dylan gets a "puffer fish" from Nanna in Australia

This year Les's parents made the trip - flying in from Wisconsin.  They looked on as Dylan opened (most of) the presents.

More cars for the collection: a British double-decker bus and a London Taxi Cab!

With the temps breaking into the lower 50's Michelle was able to get away for a short paddle out on College Creek and the Severn River.

Michelle takes a break 

Cricket

Must be the Aussie influence - Daddy doesn't even know the rules!  But here is the little man trying out a spot of cricket.  The fireman helmet and boots aren't required but Dylan thought it appropriate.  After these photos we got serious and Michelle beat Les 5 to 2.

Nice stance (I think)

Keep your eye on the ball!

Lemons

Dylan has been exploring new foods - you wouldn't know it by looking at these photos but he loves lemon.  We're even able to get him to eat his veggies if we douse them in lemon juice.

Spaceman D

It's been a rainy Sunday so we headed back to the Air & Space Museum in Chantilly Virginia: they were celebrating the arrival of the Space Shuttle Discovery.  Dylan loved the space-man stuff and we all learned a bit from the scientific experiments.  Here we are "making clouds:"

Of course we had to try on some space suits...

...and a Dylan-sized Space Shuttle:

We had a great time playing with the other kids at Toddler Space Camp:

but we had a safe re-entry from our time in space...

Cousins

One thing we miss, but really appreciate, is the opportunity for Dylan to get together with his cousins.  Here's the entire American gang...

Best buds for life...

Happy Easter!

The practice paid off - Dylan and his cousins had a great Easter Egg Hunt!

Easter Egg Practice

We were all excited about the Easter Egg Hunt - so much so, that we thought that a Saturday practice session was in order.  Dylan loved running around in the back yard of Grandma and Grandpa's house.  He got off to a great start...

But the morning wasn't without a few set-backs...better luck tomorrow!

Frequent Flyer

The little man has been airborne so often that he's now on a first name basis with most of the United and Southwest pilots - here he his hanging out in the cockpit, talking about recent developments in the Airline industry with the Captain of Southwest Flight 1460 to Milwaukee:

We'll be right back...

Sorry we've been radio silent for a few months.  We're settling into a new life in Annapolis Maryland and will be back up online shortly!

Skiing at Keystone

We've bypassed the amazing back-bowls of Vail for the more family oriented experience of Keystone, Colorado 40 miles to the east.  The snow this year was miserable with a scant 38 inch base (and that was probably all man-made!).  Still, we had a great time in the mountains, got a few runs in and put Dylan on skis for the first time (at 2 years old!).  The best I can say is that he didn't hate it - and I think he's looking forward to getting back out there.  In addition to the skiing we put the little man on a new pair of snowshoes - great for stomping around...and we explored a huge ice fort at the top of the mountain.  One great aspect of Keystone is the night skiing - rare in Colorado.  Michelle and I took turns in the evening, ripping a few solo runs without the little man.  Overall a great family vacation - we're already planning another early January trip for 2013!

D on Skis!

Follow me...

Kings of the Ice Castle

Snowshoe stompy to the Mountain Top

The Top of the Mountain

5K Fun Run for Dylan and Mum

Ready Set Go!!

Go Go Mumma

I decided that it would be good fun for Dylan and I to participate in a local 5k fun run. We started with Dylans run, he was very excited to do his run, but paitiently waited at the line for the start. He did a great job made it all the way to the end to collect his medal. Next it was time for me to do the 5K, Dylan was very motivating, telling mummy go go go, it was a little easier for him he got to ride on my back. He even enjoyed cooling me down at the water stations by tipping water on my head, he thought it was really funny. My time wasn't that great, but all in all it was a great family day, just wish Les was there to join us.

Rock climbing

Dylan and I are enjoying a lot of weekend adventures over this summer. This time it was a morning hike to great falls with some rock climbing thrown in for fun. It is good exercise for me to carry about 40lbs on my back, but after a while it is time for Dylan to do some walking. We took a look at the falls and then hiked down to the waters edge for a picnic where there were lots of boulders for Dylan to climb all over. He really was great at climbing over the rocks, I think next time we will bring a rope and harness.

Summer Fun at the pool

During the sweltering days of July we were able to get to the local pool for some fun. Dylan really enjoys the pool and had a great time having swimming races with the other kids in the pool even if he wasn't wining. The water slide was also a big hit, but of course he wanted to go on the big water slide but he didn't quite make the height requirements. He stretched up as much as possible but I think the life guard saw right through that.

Shaving

On our recent visit to Spain Dylan thought he was quite the man and it was time to start shaving, and he also thought Daddy needed a shave too.

Visiting the Big Boat

Les had a Duty day on a Sunday, so Dylan and I decided that we would go to visit Dada on the Big Boat (The Carrier George H.W. Bush) and take him some Sushi for Dinner. It was a good way to get Dylan use to the idea of where his Daddy will be when he is deployed. Dylan went for an explore around the boat including where Daddy works and sleeps, we even got to see what Les does at work, watch the Simpson's all day :). It was quite an enjoyable evening for us and a great way to make the most of Les being on Duty on the weekend.

Tennis is a dangerous game

Dylan was going out for a game of tennis and given how dangerous it can be he decided he should put some goggles on.

Fathers Day: A Salute to Daddy

I’m Happy You’re My Dad
Dear Daddy, I miss you very much,
But I know you are on the big boat
Helping keep things safe,
I am so proud you are my Daddy.
I feel safe when you are with me;

You show me fun things to do
And make me laugh;

You make my life much better;

The best father I know is you.
I’m very glad you’re my Dad

and so I want to say I love you Daddy,

and wish you

A Happy Daddy’s Day!

The picture is Dylan Saluting his Daddy on the carrier just before Les Left.

A day in Jamestown

Williamsburg is certainly an enjoyable place to live with lots of activities going on. One Sunday afternoon we decided to go to Jamestown and they were having a re-enactment of the military through the ages, from modern times to medieval times. It was very impressing and Dylan certainly had fun checking everything out. The tent even seemed pretty similar to the Tenna's we make with the sheets.