Winter Break

Winter break is a time for this...reading in bed with a cozy sweater and blanket and your ol' faithful dog.  We've had the nicest Christmas break so far and have done a bit of everything and nothing.  

Mia's friend, Maddie, came over to decorate gingerbread houses.

After a morning of opening presents on Christmas morning, it was time to head to Nana's to spend Christmas dinner with the family.  Seeing the cousins all together is still always so fun.  

 One of our favorite family gifts!  We got another huge puzzle to work on.  We framed last year's and we're already well over half way finished on this one.  There is just something so relaxing about sitting around together and working on it. 

Mini Ski Vacation!  We went up to the mountains for a few days to ski and had the best time we've ever had skiing together.  The kids got these cool ski carriers (see them strapped to their backs) and that was one less thing to worry about.  

The kids are good skiers and it was so fun to all be enjoying it together and calling out what runs we wanted to do next.  I kept seeing mamas with tiny little ones and I wanted to shout out, "You'll get here...to this moment....that you never think you will....when they are grown up a bit and you're just enjoying it all."

Family Photos

We weren't going to take a family picture this year for a card but when Mia found out, she said, "Oh yes we are!" I had already told our photographer extraordinaire, Rachel, that we wouldn't be taking one, so my sister was our fill in photographer and she did a great job!

It means a lot to have Bijou in this year's picture.  She'll be 15 in two weeks and she is such a big part of our lives.  

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

We went downtown in the afternoon yesterday to have a drink at our beloved Brown Palace.  We thought we would beat the crowds but alas, we chose the day of the Parade of Lights, as well as a wedding, so it was packed!  We made the best of it and ordered drinks and Shirley Temples and found a couch to sit.  The kids absolutely love this hotel and ran around among the gorgeous lights and opulent decorations.  They love chocolate truffles and feel special that their dad can get them an unlimited supply from the tea servers.  

The kids weren't ready to go so V took them to walk around downtown a bit and Mom and I stopped in a restaurant to have a glass of wine together.  I feel so lucky that not only is she a dear friend, but she's a dear friend who happens to be my mom.  

This is the way to kick off the season!

Grateful

Thanksgiving break started with a trip to the mall to pick up some things.  Luca is really into cars these days and no trip to the mall is complete without a stop into the Tesla store.  The employees were more than gracious and let the kids "drive" all the models and touch every button they could find.  Luca thinks I should get a Tesla as my next car.  

Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday of mine.  I love the whole idea of it.  The food, the family, the time it takes to prepare the meal, etc.  Mia has taken after me and takes such joy in presenting and hosting.  Here is her pumpkin pie....a totally solo effort.  

Andrew and family and Emily and family joined us.  My mom was TN with Neil and Pam and while they were missed, we had a beautiful holiday.  It was gorgeous weather so after dinner, everyone sat outside. 

Mia and I went on a run together that afternoon before our guests arrived.  As I pulled on my shoes, she said, "Oh can I go too?"  She's at that age that she has taken it on and is a kindred spirit in so many ways.  She ran her first 5K several weekends ago and I see a lifelong runner has emerged.  

The day ended the way they do sometimes, on a note that seems so opposite of the rest of the moments.  Carl, Mia's beloved fish, died.  This fish has been with us since 2014!  People may laugh at such a small life, but here, in our house, all life is valued.