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!

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.

Botany 101

Dr Reid has been holding classes with young Mr Dylan - but his first botany class wasn't very exciting...it turns out that "creating life" takes a bit longer than a 2 year old's attention span might prefer.  But, seeds planted...now we wait...

Fast forward a few weeks and class is back in session...ah...life!  Thanks for the lesson Mumma!

Merry Christmas!

 

Merry Christmas! 

  We hope Santa brings you all some really cool stuff

Get Well Mom!! - We love you!!

Christmas in Williamsburg

Much to do and see in Colonial Williamsburg over the Christmas holiday.  As was the tradition of the day, during festive periods the public buildings would be lit to celebrate the holidays, a significant public event or royal birthdates.  This year in the days leading up to Christmas several buildings were illuminated with torches, the events marked with narration and musket fire.  It was a couple nice nights out in olde towne.

This gets my vote for the best cell phone photo: Michelle captures the moment on her Blackberry

Torches blazing and fife and drum band marching - Dylan was enthalled

Sugar Loaf Mountain

Enjoying a few local walks while the weather is good. Sugar loaf Mountain is our local mountain around here in Mayland, not much of a mountain, but still nice to walk around, particularly this time of the year.

Happy Birthday Les

We wish were were able to celebrate with you but unfortuntely we can not. So you will have to just listen to us singing Happy Birthday on this video. We love you and miss you, looking forward to seeing you and celebrating your birthday when you get back. xoxoxo

Brazil Trip

On the trip to the airport my little man was blowing me kisses, it was so sweet. Had an enjoyable and productive trip to Brazil. Spent 3 days in Rio and a couple of days in Sao Paulo. Rio is such a picturesque city, particularly when you get up onto one of the mountains. I arrived on Sunday morning so was able to get out and do some hiking. This time I only climbed part of the sugar loaf mountain and took the easy route. Saw quite a few monkeys taking in the view, fortunately no scratches from these ones. I enjoyed getting back to my boys by the end of it.

Hanging Out at the Pool

The mercury hit 99 this weekend - so we spent a couple afternoons at the local pool. It's been a year since Dylan had his first swim lessons (time flies!) but he absolutely loved the water. I'm not sure who had a better time Dylan or Mummy.

'Ferraris on the Vine'

What a great combination: an exhibition of Ferraris spanning 5 decades together with local wine and food pairings from some of the finest Williamsburg restaurants. The Williamsburg Winery is located a few minutes from Kingsmill. It was a great afternoon - the food was excellent, the wines - surprisingly good and the cars were amazing! I think Dylan would agree - I couldn't quite explain to him that the owners would prefer that he didn't pound his fists on the hoods (bonnets) of their cars...no harm done...and we discovered that the little man prefers the Ferrari 360 Modena (well, that's the one with the most of his finger prints on the hood and front bumper). My personal favorite was the little blue racer...

OBX

The family took a little weekend trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Michelle found a great rental house online, right on the ocean and although we had a day of rain it shaped up to be a great weekend. We toured the Wright Brothers memorial (site of the first powered airplane flights in 1903). Other than that...just a lot of kite flying, bike riding and general goofing off on the beach.

Happy Birthday Mummy!

Please join us in wishing Michelle a very Happy Birthday today! Although I’m currently at sea and can’t be with her I’ve given Dylan special instructions to be extra good today and give Mummy lots of hugs and kisses. It was (almost) a year ago that she gave birth to Dylan and made our family complete. We love her dearly and hope she has a great day. And when I get back we’ll have a slightly belated Birthday celebration!

Blizzard of 2010

So it has been called the Blizzard of 2010, I would have to say I am in agreement with that. We got 30 inches of snow and our power was out for about 20hrs. So Dylan and I were doing some indoor camping, all rugged up and cooking on the camp stove outside. We did have a lovely day on Sunday so got to play in the snow for a little which was fun at least. We are now preparing for the next 10-20 inches that is meant to come tomorrow.

Night out on the town

Les and I enjoyed a nice evening at a work function at the Ronald Regan building in DC last weekend. It was nice to get dressed up to go out, it has been a while. Dylan enjoyed a night home with the baby sitter (one of the ladies from his Daycare), so we all had a great evening.

11 Degrees F

On our last day in Minneapolis we had to get out in the snow one last time. Although the mercury had dipped to 11 F we thought Dylan should experience Cross Country skiing for himself (sort of). We all got "rugged up" and set off on one of the many local Cross Country trails. It was a great way to start the day and after we started moving not very cold at all (Dylan was smiling from ear to ear when we finally unwrapped him).