last ski day (we think)

we had a great last ski day a week or so ago.  we skied with some good friends and had a fabulous day.  here are the kids (first eliot, then riley, then zayd, then lucy)  coming down the 1/2 pipe....  

    ....and our little lucy skied heather canyon (double black diamond) for the first time.  the conditions were very forgiving but super steep nonetheless,  and she totally rocked it!  

.....and end scene on our ski season (unless of course we ski one more time).   p.s. i have lots of pictures on my camera that i haven't downloaded yet so easter pics are coming....stay tuned!

second spring break

we got a chance to have another spring break with the visit of todd's aunt nancy and cousin lucas and lucas' friend isiah who came for their spring break.  the boys (lucas age 16 and isiah age 13) are avid skateboarders and the northwest is apparently 'mecca' for skaters. especially the renown burnside bridge park.    the kids loved having the boys around (lucy had a little crush on isiah i think)......the hood river skate park held its own and everyone had so much fun.  

    they trampolined with giggles abound.....

  and more skateboarding....  

 lots of sweet moments...    

it was a wonderful week!!    if you want to see more of the colorado road trip you can check out nancy's blog at...    www.dierkenm.wordpress.com       we are so lucky to have wonderful family to share laughs with!

spring break

we spent a few days of spring break up at the lake house.  i was a nice couple days with the glatter family joining us as well.     riley caught a dying fish with his net but then was afraid to touch it.....but it was a really big fish so I can't really blame him.  

 and of course we roasted some s'mores.  yum. yum. yum.  

  it was a short stay but a fun one. happy spring!

gymnastics

lucy has been taking gymnastics once a week which she has been loving.  a few times a year they have a parent observation day.....here are some pictures we took last week. 

.......she's quite the little gymnast! 

ice skating

inspired by the olympics the kids wanted to try out some ice skating. we headed into portland  and took to the ice at lloyd center (made famous by tonya harding...or rather infamous i should say).  the kids had a great time and really picked it up quickly. 

....super fun portland adventure!

we heart fondue

happy valentines' day!!.... (over a month late on this post...oops!).  we had our traditional fondue dinner, with first cheese and then chocolate. the kids suggested that maybe we just skip the cheese and go straight for the chocolate only next time. we'll see. 

        .......we (chocolate) heart fondue!!

greenhouse

todd built himself a greenhouse last fall. we haven't yet fine-tuned how to use it, BUT todd does use it to work in a warm environment when it is cold and snowy out.  he will grab his computer and a beer and embrace the 90 degree environment..... 

                  .......he's even held staff meetings in the greenhouse.  best use for the a greenhouse in the winter!