Some good things during some dark times

We've had some tough times in the past few weeks, tragedy and loss to name a few, but in the midst of hard times is always some light.  Here are a few highlights.  Our incredible exchange student moved in with us and we put her to the test on the first night with one of the most hilarious games we know.

We watched the Taylor Swift movie together and braided hair.

Got pedicures.

We went to the Maurice Sendak exhibit at the art museum (Ads was up skiing with some friends for the weekend).

Went to an old time favorite restaurant for dinner.

Brian and I took these 5 kids to watch my nephew and his girlfriend swim at the Air Force Academy (my parents and brother also were there).  After the meet Friday night we all went out to dinner before watching them Saturday as well.

They played Monopoly.

B spent the night with my parents and built NYC.

And today when things in our country feel especially scary and out of our control, I took the kids to Costco and we spent the afternoon making bags to hand out to people experiencing homelessness on the streets.  

 

XMas-New Years

We spent the week between Christmas through New Years (plus a few days) in the mountains.  We did some sledding, swimming and lots of skiing with big powder days.

The first powder day was 8 new inches, and was really fun for the most part, until it wasn't.  B wanted to go on a black, which was fun, but didn't end well with him needing to be dug out by his brother and Bri crashing (waiting on MRI results for a knee injury).  

Of course there was a lot of cooking (in our TINY kitchen with many people there).  Ads taught B lots of knife skills.

Annual NYE fondue (LT was in Denver with his girlfriend at a party).

On New Years day, B, Ads and I headed to Vail so Ads could meet a friend and so could B.  The only picture I got was of these two in the candy store post skiing.

The next day Copper got 10 inches.  Everyone was tired (and Bri was hurt), but I wanted to go.  I woke the kids up and everyone said they were too tired.  As I was about to leave, I nudged LT a bit more and he agreed.  It was one of the best days I've skied (albeit a bit cold and windy).

 

Christmas Week

With Christmas being on Wednesday this year, and the kids getting out of school the Friday before (and the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas combined with jet lag and a terrible stomach bug), we felt a little rushed.  But, we did manage to go to holiday events Friday and Saturday, head to the mountains Sunday, ski Monday, come back down because our nephew/cousin flew in and still celebrate holidays with family.  Above, Ads with a few friends on Monday.

My brother only has his kids parts of Xmas eve and parts of Christmas, but we managed to get two big family events in.  Grandma and Papa hosted a big holiday brunch on xmas eve and we hosted (by we, mostly Ads) Christmas dinner with everyone.  We also went to the candlelight Xmas eve service where my parents go to church and where LT works.  And of course a big pazole and tamale dinner following that service.

X mas morning was sweet family time, just the 5 of us.  B woke up quite early ready to go, the big kids slept in, we had gift opening and a big brunch (plus Bri, Lexi and I squeezed in a run).

The whole thing was lovely, but my favorite part is always the gifts they each choose for each other.  So thoughtful.

Ads planned, and invited, everyone over for Christmas dinner.  I bought all the food, but he prepped, and prepared it all (with a little help of his older brother and dad, and later uncle).  It was perfect.  Cheese ravioli, salad and cheesy garlic bread.

Holidays are always better with funny games.

 

December Fun

It was a rough re entry from Italy with all of us getting sick, laundry piling up and a million things to do to get ready for the holidays.  But we recovered and have had a great few weeks.  B went with one of his best buds to the Botanic Gardens lights.

LTs girlfriend works at a horse ranch that had a fun holiday event one day, bonus that B LOVES horses (though is very allergic to them).

I love holiday lights and this street is so beautiful in the mornings when I go to workout.

Annual holiday treats (not pictured was the cinnamon roll making day).

B's shoebox celebration in his class (the same week as the nutcracker and the poetry reading day, not pictured).  

Zoo lights with our friends (only photo I took).

Ski day 1, both older boys had already left us to ski with friends, but we were all 5 there.

Holiday dinner out with some of my best mom friends.

I came home from work one day to Ads making fried chicken and LT and his girlfriend making chocolate dipped marshmallows with peppermint.

One of my bookclubs does an annual white elephant, fancy dinner out night.  This year was a fun one.

Only photo I got from B's holiday performance.

Christmas #1 with LTs girlfriend.

Followed by a hilarious game of Go Bananas (my white elephant gift).

LT and one of his best buds at their white elephant exchange.