A Visit From Grandpa Rich

Abby had her last ski lesson a couple of weeks ago.  They always end with a cookie race.  (Instead of a medal they get a "cookie medal.")  Next up, her preschool will be starting ice skating lessons!

Emma won an award for one of the best 1st grade science projects.  You can tell she's not looking too good here.  This is when the sicknesses (and numerous visits to the doctor) began...

We had this past week off so my dad decided to fly out for a visit.  The girls had a blast with their grandpa, even though we had to work around some influenza, a trip to the ER, and colds.

While Emma stayed home to rest the following day (and we were blacked out from skiing), Abby and I took my dad to the RV show.  Abby tired herself out from going up and down the steps of all the big rigs.

taking a leisurely walk around the neighborhood

We took my dad to watch the girls ski one afternoon.  Emma is very curious about the terrain parks and is, slowly, getting the courage to try things out.

 It wouldn't be a trip to Main Street without stopping for ice cream at Java Cow.

The zoo is a must when my dad's in town.  It wasn't super warm but the animals were sure active.

The lions were amazing--all 6 of them!

 Abby caught what Emma had so we made sure to give her plenty of rest and fluids.  When she complained of her ear hurting, that's when I made a doctor's appointment.  Not only did she have an ear infection, but her oxygen was really low (84).  Scary.  The doctor gave her albuterol and put her on oxygen.  She gave us a choice--we could either monitor her ourselves (with an oxygen tank) at home or have her go down to Primary Children's in Salt Lake so they can monitor her.  We felt better about the latter so off we went.  My dad stayed home with Emma.

at the pediatrician's office

at the ER

She was such a trooper!

Here we are, about halfway through our 4-hour visit to the ER.  Once we got into our room, they took her off the oxygen to see if she could maintain normal levels, which she did.  Thank goodness! (We came prepared to spend the night.)

And this little girl had her first corn dog at the ER!    

The doctor wanted to do chest x-rays to see if she had pneumonia, which she did not.

It was a long night.  We got discharged at 10:00 p.m. and made our way up the canyon in a snowstorm.

All of the rain we were getting finally turned to snow and, overall, we got about 2 feet over our break.  Andy and Emma went out for a daddy/daughter ski day.

Andy went out another day on his own.  Can you tell the snow was deep?

 Abby started feeling a lot better so we took my dad to the planetarium.

This was a really neat exhibit.  Emma had to code in order for the rover to move.   She knew exactly what to do because she has coding as part of her specialist rotation.  Very cool!

 Playing with Grandpa is exhausting!  We had a great visit!

My dad taught Emma how to play solitaire and she is hooked!

We met up with one of Emma's friends and her family on the slopes today.

Finally, I'll leave you with Emma's latest writing project (after studying space) and...

...a video of her hitting a box at the mini terrain park.

Much Needed Family Time

Do you remember when I said I needed to get my priorities straight?  Well this past weekend was a step in the right direction.  We said "no" to the couple of events we were invited to and it felt good to not be rushing from place to place.  It all started on Friday night with take-out Chinese and a movie.

Saturday was filled with perfectly content kids playing with each other at home, a trip to the gym for this momma,  and then going to watch the World Cup (mogul competition) at Deer Valley.


Emma had ski lessons all day Sunday so, while Andy went to the gym, Abigail and I ventured out to the grocery store.  She is finally getting to the point where grocery shopping is not as difficult as it used to be with her.  And...she can help push the cart, which she loves.  Andy and I took Abby skiing after lunch and then met up with Emma after her lessons.  Finally, we had a nice, quiet evening at home watching that amazing Super Bowl game.

It was quite a hike to get up to the spectator area.

While we waited for the preliminary round to start, the girls had a blast sledding down the hill.

While skiing on Sunday, Abigail found the trees and LOVED them.  I think she's hooked.

This girl!  This girl skied black diamond moguls, 15,000 vertical feet, and did a little cliff jumping and she was on top of the world after lessons.  Her ski teacher is amazing!  He knows just what to do to push the kids a little bit further each time.  This momma better step up her skiing if I want to keep up with this girl.

It's fun to look up how much (and where) Emma skis each week.  

These are all the lifts she went on just last Sunday.

 

2017 Is Off to a Great Start!

I can't say that things have gotten any less busy in our family, but I am trying really hard to say "yes" to "no."  If you really know me, you know that (a) I like to be busy and (b) I have a hard time saying "no."  I took a step back and realized that I need to make a few changes.  Even though most of my commitments last until the end of the school year, I am taking small steps to get my priorities straight. I am stepping down as president of the board for Abigail's daycare.  Also, I have already mentioned to some of our school staff that I will not be in charge of the social committee next year.  (Three years is enough!)

Now, on to the fun stuff!

Look what Emma got in the mail! We sent the photo of Emma dressed as "The Pioneer Woman" for Halloween to Ree Drummond and, 3 months later, she receives a package in the mail.

Emma was beyond excited and we have already made a few of her recipes.

Yep, that's a machine from the gym.  After months of talking about it, Andy and I finally got gym memberships and are loving it.  We have to rotate the days we go (since there is really nothing for the kids to do there) but, so far, we are really enjoying it.  I consider it all cross-training for my running.

Fun on the sledding hill!

When you get new coats and you don't want to take them off...

Our little chef...

Family time at the ice skating rink...

Abigail's hair is finally long enough for a braid!

Emma's writing from Spanish class...

Working on her science project...

The finished product...

This past weekend was one of those epic Park City weekends.  On Saturday, Andy and I had tickets for a Sundance film, followed by a couple hours of skiing, then dinner and, finally, another Sundance film.  Phew! 

Waiting for our first film, Before I Fall, to start...

A couple hours of AMAZING skiing...

Dinner at the Boneyard...

 Waiting for our 2nd film, Mudbound... 

The amount of people that come to Park City for the Sundance Film Festival is indescribable.  While, yes, the amount of traffic creates an inconvenience going to and from work (and getting around town), Andy and I have learned to embrace it and enjoy it.  We have seen some absolutely incredible films at the festival over the years, most of which have been world premieres.  That is, we have been in the first audience to see the movie.

 Here are some of the cast and crew from Mudbound.  (Mary J. Blige is fourth from the right.)

 On Sunday, we had one film, To the Bone.  It was written and directed by Marti Noxon who is known for writing and producing Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  She also is an executive producer and writer for Unreal and Code Black. 

 After the premieres of the movies, there is a Q & A for the director and cast.  This is the cast from To the Bone.  Lily Collins (daughter of Phil Collins) is 2nd from the right.

Keanu Reeves (I just can't help but think about Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure!)

 After the film, we had some family ski time.  It was our first time where our entire family can now ski together (and Andy and  I don't have to hold on to Abigail)!

except on the jumps

such an awesome feeling!!!

She even insisted on riding the magic carpet by herself.