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!

Winter Hiking Challenge!

We began our fourth challenge.

I was going to let this one go....with hockey, football, theatre, and woo hoo! skiing, it just seemed like too much.

But then Jeff said, "Well then it wouldn't be a challenge!"

Fair point.

We began New Year's Eve.  We went to Alleghany and hiked a new trail, Osgood.  It was a little steep, but not too bad.  It turned out to be a beautiful day, very mild.

 

Osgood trail

December 31, 2011

Our Christmas week

 The Christmas season is ALWAYS a magical time in our house!  

Here are some highlights of the season!

Rise up!

 As hard as it is to compare to Lin Manuel's version, Jeff insisted on taking us (Eva) to Hamilton when it came this year. 

It was....amazing.

There are no other words.  The actors were excellent.  The singers spot on.

It was a lovely evening!

Blackout! Blackout!

 It was a crazy unexpected storm!  It led to a blackout!  We had so much fun with it!  We played cards and mini hockey in the dark!  

Unfortunately, the storm also severed a giant limb into our pool and broke the liner.  

Ah. Cocos.