We are Strong!

 We play hookey.

It felt goooood.

We took the day and went to Strong Museum.

I had plans for a hookey day, a week after Covid began.  Needless to say...we never made it.

We haven't been here, to Strong,  in almost 3 years.  

Wow!!!  What a difference!

There is a parking garage now, an ariel park, no food court-really, and a ton of new exhibitions.

We used to be able to do it in a day.  

It is now very difficult to do that!

Initially, I was worried Dyleva was too old for the museum.  I was wrong...I could completely be entertained there!

ice cream and steak...guess who?

the healthier child

DMB fish

When did skiing and waiting become synonyms?

 Jeff's family came in for the MLK long weekend to ski.  The first day was very cold.  It was about 15 degrees.  The good news is that the temperature scared a lot of people away.

The next day, however, it was 25 degrees.  It was mobbed!  It was at least a half hour wait for each ski lift.  And at one point, we waited a half hour, and the lift broke.  Thank god we weren't on it, but then we didn't know whether to keep waiting in line, or to try and find another way down or up the mountain.

We spent a lot of time in the lodge.  It was a great weekend spending time with the family!

Throwback photo!

Snow day!

 Now that virtual learning is a thing, there has been a sense of fear over losing our snow days!

But kudos to the superintendents!  They must have needed a day too!

Snow day! Good thing Dyleva put their undies on inside out!

The morning was chill, then we played outside.  We came in for hot chocolate, Mami style.

Just as we settled our brains for a long winter's nap, Henry knocked at the door.

There went my ninos.

So much for a nap.  

It was a great, beautiful day!

A New Year!

 Every year New Year's Eve is incredibly disappointing.  Someone always ends up sick!  

Last year I made the best taco table.  One of us did not keep it down....

Anyway, I was kind of relieved when Jeff booked us at Ellicottville for a couple days.  I had made reservations at Jazzboline, but then cancelled.   

We hiked with Joe and Di in Alleghany.  It turned out to be a beautiful day!  The sun came out, the temp was in the high forties.  The trail was great!

Later, we went to an early dinner.  I love going out to eat.  IN ELLICOTVILLE, we had no problems getting a table. 

I'm still in shock!

Later, we hung out in our room.  We had some toddies, some snacks.  Watched a little Guardians of the Galaxy.

When Dyleva had a craving for chocolate.

Well, then let's find a chocolate store spoiled ninos!

****

Our second outing for the evening was all on Jeff.  He has this thing about fireworks.

He likes them. 

I don't get it.  Yeah, ooh, ahh, but enough to leave my cozy room?

We hiked a half mile uphill to the ski resort at 11:30 at night to watch pretty colors in the sky!!!

Seriously?

Dylan was on my side.  As soon as he heard we weren't driving he was out!

But nonetheless, my New Year's Eve butt hauled itself up and down (barely ) a mountain side to watch fireworks.  

Although, I'm pretty sure I was zoning in and out of consciousness during the whole extravaganza.

Welcome 2022. 
We needed to sleep.  Returned to hotel to rest for ambitious day of New Year's Day skiing in the rain!