What an amazing "winter" we have had. The blessing of good weather has been upon us for most of the season so far, and we frequent the park if it's 50 degrees or higher! The cold days call for a good time to regroup, clean house, and go to all the fun indoor activities that Colorado offers.
Zach and I shouldn't have wondered if teaching the girls to ski this season was a good idea...they picked it up the very first day, and I can now ski with Kaylee like I otherwise would by myself! She is quick! Tia is on the fast track to blues as well!! I think we were wise to wait until they were 8 and 7 since they understand how to keep themselves warm. We plan to teach Ethan and Owen next year. With our passes to Eldora, we've been able to ski several times this season and plan to hit the slopes at least half a dozen more before summer. One of my favorite aspects of skiing is all the great chats I have with Kaylee and Tia on the lifts. Yesterday Tia told me, "Mom, do you know what the hardest part about skiing is???....going potty! We later indulged in a conversation about where babies come from, and more specifically HOW they get into the mommy's tummy. We have chatted a little before so when I reminded her about the sperm from the dad and the egg from the mom, I thought she's say, "oh yea, I remember", but she wasn't satifisfied with that this time. She asked, "Where does the sperm come from." I told her came from the reproductive organ, the penis of the man, kind of like how pee comes out but from a different place inside." Still not the end....."But mom, HOW does it get to the egg??? Do you eat it or something?" LOL! I couldn't help but picture what she surely had to be picturing, one gigantic sperm, wiggling as it's tail was being held, while mom, gulped it down! Sorry to be so graphic, but such a funny memory!
My training for the Surf City Half Marathon came to a close last weekend when we (14 gals from the neighborhood and I) flew to Huntington Beach. I ran just shy of my goal time, crossing the finish line at 1:48:40, more happy that I ran the Boston Marathon qualifying pace, even beating it by about 15 seconds per mile. I would love to run this race, and plan to keep training through the spring and summer. The weather cooperated perfectly during our trip, with 80 degrees and swimsuit weather while we lounged on the beach the day before the race, and cool high 60s with a nice cloud cover for most of the run. It was funny to think of my family snow-skiing, while I basked in the sun. Sometimes I miss California, but the versatile weather is Colorado is quite appealing for so many other reasons...I love staying active all year long!
I still don't entirely know how to navigate this blog system. Email seems much easier to me still, as I wonder, do people really read this? But, it serves as my journal, and also Stoutstats that I send to my family each week! Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.
Love!

Let it snow!

The first big snow finally arrived! We got over a foot last night and into the morning. The sun came out as it normally does, and the kids wanted to "suit up" for sledding. Zach sneaked away from work early and we all dragged sleds to the hill by the girls' school! The best news is...we lasted 45 minutes, kicking the pants off any record we've set in past years. Our system is starting to work....bibs, coats, socks, boots, hats and mittens, (plus extra pairs shoved into my coats pockets). The promise of hot cocoa soothes any chilled hands and feet!

I must boast and say I do make a delicious hot cocoa....so truth be told, the credit goes to my Grandma Shelton. No matter how large of a batch we make....it somehow never makes it into the fridge as leftovers! Here's the recipe......

Equal amounts of cococa and sugar (more sugar if you like yours sweet and less bitter). I do about a 1/3 cup of each. Add enough water to cover the dry ingredients, making kind of a watery syrup. Whisk together and bring to a boil...Immediately add enough milk to your desired taste (I would estimate about 8-9 cups). Add some cream (this is a must if you want the Ghiradelli taste, I do about 1/4 cup). Warm to desired temperature, but avoid boiling. Add 1 tsp vanilla and a dash of salt just before serving, and if you want it really delicious, whip the remained cream (add powdered sugar at the end) and put dollops of cream on top!
Hope it doesn't sound too difficult...it really takes less time than mixing instant, and it is so so good! Hope it keeps you warm this winter!!! Enjoy.

OH The Holidays...We have a love/hate relationship!

It has hardly felt like the holiday season. We celebrated quite a non-traditional Thanksgiving, Zach's mom visiting just until Thanksgiving morning. We drove her to the airport and then had our effortless dinner at Mimi's cafe...returning home to a clean and spotless kitchen, but wishing it was filthy with dishes of all kinds, and smells melded together...stuffing and pumpkin pie. Even the movie theatre felt strangely empty when we saw Bolt later that afternoon. Needless to say, with the weather cooperating at 60 and 70 degrees (with the exception of a few days), it hardly felt like the holiday season we've had in the past....
So when we left this morning to take the kids swimming and then for our "day after Thanksgiving" tradition of finding the perfect tree, something still felt as if it were "missing." By 6:00pm, our home was covered in all our favorite Christmas decor, ornaments scattered over the dining room table, while the kids clawed to find "their" ornaments. I raced to Walmart for more lights (a bigger tree this year) and it started to snow.....my fingers automatically thumbed for Christmas music, and belting at the top of my lungs....well, ahhh, it felt like Christmas. The neighborhood is booming with lights....many neighbors hanging theirs even right after Halloween while the weather is still warm, and flipping the switch as soon as the leftovers from Thanksgiving hit the fridge....it's beautiful! Still somewhat new to all this (our third year in CO), we haven't ventured on the roof to hang lights, but boast a nice set all along the lower level...along with wreaths in every window (lower level, that is). And truly, just around the corner, there it is....Christmas. We WILL be covered with family members for THAT holiday, and we can't wait. I've too much "catching up" to do....I think I'll just start from today!