Spring Break!

V is a wonderful dad, and a great husband. He decided that he wanted to take all of the kids' spring break off to run around and do things with them.  I had to work that whole week (my spring break is this week, which is a week after theirs). They planned out the whole week....a day here around our house, a day downtown complete with visiting the Brown and buying new books at the Tattered Cover, a day skiing, and a day at V's friend's house shooting pellet guns and running around his property up in Evergreen.  It came to a celebratory end by ringing in Uncle Andrew's 50th and Owen's 21st birthdays!  (I'm including a few other pictures from the kids skiing two weeks ago as well.....they have skied almost every weekend it feels like!)

Weekend in Vail with Old Friends

Lillee and her family came to Colorado and we were able to spend a long weekend in Vail with them along with Rachel and her family.  It was such a special weekend and we had a BALL.  The three of us are old soul friends....just picking up right where we left off, and watching our kids hang out together, take care of one another, and accept one another fully was magical.

A Ski Day with a Friend

Luca and Mia brought Evan up skiing and they had a ball.  

More pics...

The girls were in Lyla's closet and found some great dresses.  She's away at college, so her room is a playground for little sisters and cousins.  

Mia's ski group had a costume day.  So, a giraffe and two penguins met on the slopes to play.  

I love this shot!  Mia ran out in the snow in her flip flops and took the photo.  And she's right....only in Colorado do kids wear sandals in the snow.  

My girl living her best life....

Some iPhone Pics....

I just love seeing V's guitar next to Mia's Ukulele.  She loves to play, and has also begun piano lessons.  

The kids LOVE to rock climb.  

At the barn.....

Just some sledding fun with neighbors.  They came home from this round pretty muddy.  

My mom broke her ankle and it has been quite the recovery!  It happened on Jan. 15th and she is non weight bearing until at least next week (First week of March).  Neil flew in to see her and us and it felt good to have the crew back together.  

Luca's teacher (whom we adore) texted this photo of the two of them when they accidentally were twinning at school.  Yes, she really is as young as she looks, and she really is amazing.  

Watching the Super Bowl at Uncle Andrew and Aunt Monica's house!

I just love this shot.  This was my view as I made dinner, which will never get old to me.  Mia likes to set up and do her homework while I cook and V joined her, working on a project.  

Mia was skiing so Luca and I had some time together and we took his scooter out and about.  Just getting some air on a weekend.  

Bijou

We had to put our sweet 16 year old Bij down on Jan. 15th.  She was very very feeble and the day came that she got sick and without even the energy to stand up to get outside, she told us in her own way it was time.  We were devastated and didn't want to lose her.  Having to actually help a loved one transition is brutal, because you have to be strong enough to do it with grace.  We did it here at the house and it was one of the most powerful experiences of my life, and I know V and the kids would say the same.  We gathered around her and she was so peaceful and calm.

I could say so much.  I could offer the tiny details: the name of the vet, the hard moments waiting for her to actually arrive, how Bijou didn't lift her head when the vet walked into the house.  I could describe how thin and frail she looked, yet how sweet, how she still gave tender kisses as we nuzzled her, how the kids were brave and fearless as they stroked her...none of us knowing what to expect from something as scary as the end. 

We all cried ourselves to sleep and huddled together for a few days afterward, just us four, and felt power in the fact that our bond had grown deeper from the love of Bijou, and from the loss.  I am forever indebted to this creature for giving me and my family so so much.  She is always in my heart.  Always.