Snow Weekend

Denver and the mountains got some snow this weekend. Lilly and I went sledding on Saturday and then went downtown to REI and played around. Holly worked on building a shelving system in the basement to organize some of our stuff down there. Saturday evening Holly and I rode inside together. It was nice to ride with someone - I worked harder than my normal morning rides. Spring is coming. :)

Sunday I went skiing with Geoff and a couple other guys. It was a gorgeous day and the skiing was great. There are still a few bare spots but it was a lot better than the last time we skied. Holly and Lilly went to a movie and Lilly's yoga class. I got home in time to watch some of the Olympics as a family.

Holly's New Phone Number

Holly has a new phone. Her number is: 720-256-4919.

XC Skiing

Holly and I cross-country skied this weekend at Frisco Nordic Center. We met parents of a child in Lilly's class there and took turns skiing and playing with the kids (they have 3 children). It was a gorgeous day for a ski with temps just below 30 degrees and not a cloud in the sky.

View from the deck of the Nordic Center

We left town early thinking there'd be traffic but made great time and were in Frisco in time to have a cup of coffee before skiing. Lilly and her friends had a great time skiing and sledding.

The Royal Family

Princess Lilly enjoyed a horse-drawn carriage ride in downtown Denver and a royal meal (at Steve's Snappin' Dogs) with King Geoff and Queen Bee.

Lilly and Willow

Princess Lilly and King Geoff

Princess Lilly and Queen Bee

A great time

Ski Day

Holly, Lilly and I got up to the mountains to ski this weekend. There hasn't been much snow lately and it really showed. Holly XC skiied the morning and joined me to ski later in the day. Lilly had a full day of ski school and did great. "Thank you for signing me up for ski school guys!"

Holly and I had a beer at the bottom and then picked up Lilly from school for a run as a family. What fun.


I hiked to South Bowl.


After skiing.


Mom and Lilly.


Lilly's ski run.

Christmas In Iowa

We're back from our Iowa Christmas tour. First Manchester for my grandma on my dad's side, then Waukee for my grandma on my mom's side. Then Sioux Center for Holly's family. We were able to avoid most of the storms and didn't have too bad of driving this year. Over the course of a week and a half we: ate plenty of food, went to church a couple times, opened plenty of presents, drank a few beers and some wine, had a great time with family, sledded, walked the family dogs, played volleyball, swam more than once, snowmobiled, played Guitar Hero, played dominos, cooked homemade pizza, cooked jambalaya, watched movies and spent 30+ hours in the car. It was a great time and very nice to see family again but also nice to be back home.

Grandma Rotach

Grandma Merical and Boo

Grandpa Jerry and Lilly Drawing

Lilly's Doll House

Lilly's Room

Lookout Mountain

This past Sunday, Holly, Lilly and I rode up Lookout Mountain. Lilly was on her tag-a-long behind me. I rode Holly's mountain bike so I'd have disc brakes for the ride down. In the car before the ride Lilly said, "The ride down will be the ride of my life." :)

Lilly did great - she pedaled the whole way up. There were quite a few comments cheering her on. There were a couple guys who noticed us at the top and said, "You made it! Good job!" What fun. The day was sunny and warm and we were all a little overdressed. What a ride on December 20th.

Here's the profile of Lookout:

Dance Recital

Lilly had a little dance recital last week. They did both a balet and tap routine. Mom, Dad, Aunt B and Uncle Geoff were in the audience.

A little nervous.

Ready to start.

Balet routine.

Denver Parade of Lights

Saturday evening Holly, Lilly and I went to downtown Denver's Parade of Lights. We got a little cold by the end but held out for Santa (the last float). There were people juggling fire, dogs with lights, around 8 high school marching bands and three giant balloons: Rudolph, The Denver Post dog and the Penguin, the mascot of Parade of Lights.

Dogs with lights!

Rudolph.

Fire jugglers.

A float.

Penguin - Parade of Lights Mascot

Another float.

Santa!

Thanksgiving Weekend

Holly's sister Aimee and her children, Kalie, Kelsie and Alex came to Denver for Thanksgiving weekend. Thursday morning we took a tour of the parks in Stapleton.


Lilly and Alex at the rock park

We celebrated Thanksgiving at my sister Beth and her husband Geoff's house. Geoff is a terrific chef and made a great meal. After the meal we all relaxed watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. It was a great evening.

Friday we went hiking at Buffalo Creek recreation area. It was the first day of Christmas tree cutting season so there were plenty of people at the trailhead. Fortunately, tree cutters didn't want to hike very far into the woods only to drag out a tree so we had the trail to ourselves.


Holly is strong


Kalie taking a nap in the sun


Kelsie and Lilly climbing

Friday evening the girls went to New Moon while Lilly, Alex and I watch Jumanji at home. They both got a kick out of monkeys driving the police car.

Saturday we ate breakfast with Beth and Geoff and then drove to Colorado Springs. Kalie is considering attending the Air Force Academy and had a tour Sunday morning. We decided to go to Pike's Peak Saturday afternoon and then get a hotel room in Colorado Springs Saturday evening so we could do some swimming. The highway to Pike's Peak takes you all the way to the top of the 14,110 foot peak. The view is unbelievable.


Summit 1


Summit 2


At the top

Sunday morning Holly, Lilly and I went to Seven Falls before heading home. There are two staircases for sightseeing. One is 220 steps to the top of the falls. The other is 181 to an observation deck. The canyon is breathtaking.


Holly, Lilly and the falls

What a great weekend.