Bittersweet.

We hit the slopes at Bittersweet.

I haven't been here since I was in college, and now I have two kids in tow. Full Circle.

We had a great day, good weather, where we even chose to eat outside at lunch. The kids are finally on their own and more often then not beating me to the bottom. Brady enjoys going full speed without one turn, and randomly didn't fall once and seemed to stop each time before the lift. I thought he was just getting lucky, but when I asked him to meet me at the  middle of the hill to watch the terrain park jumpers, he did just that. So I know he "can" turn and stop but he tells me he just likes going super fast, which also makes me go super fast so I can keep an eye on him and my pulse in check.

 

Riding the lift with Tom, somehow this makes me more nervous than the next picture.

Brooke and Lexi somehow, I have more faith in less antics with these two.

Me and my girl.

Brooke trying out her $10 g-sale skis! She loved the color, I loved that I didn't rent. They actually worked out after Uncle Tom adjusted the bindings.

Gang on top o' the "mountain"

Campfire side for lunch.

Monkey see monkey do.....red slurshies....

This was not a good feeling not riding the lift with them. You think what would I do? Lucky the one screaming his head off is bookended by responsible peeps, or at lest that is what I kept telling myself.

Good day on the slopes.

NYE

Normally I am not about going out on NYE, just doesn't appeal to me anymore. But this year the tactic was lets go out so the kids mom and dad could stay awake until midnight. We headed to Stella's for dinner to see if this "best burger in America" held true and it was spot on, delicious as well was the butter fat popcorn. I know gross right? Trust me on this one, just go with it. We then headed to the Griffin's game where we got to enjoy an indoor firework show (which doesn't seem safe but looked really cool) as well as skate on the ice after the game. This gave us enough time to catch Mr. Seacrest right before the countdown started. See ya later 2014!

 

Minute to Win it.

Competition was in full swing at Uncle Tom's house. He called one day and mentioned that "Lexi is coming up with some fun party minute to win it games" for when we come in to visit. Later I find out Tom's been working on this like it is his J.O.B. - we all joke, but it was super fun and something that everyone can take part in! Thanks for pulling this together "Lexi"

 

Mentally preparing for the challenges ahead!

 

Pampy not letting Brady get away without a hug!

 

First up Tom and Lexi on the M & M sorting game.

 Grace and "Bob" doing the chopstick dice pick up game.

 Les and Rob competing for the cup stack.

 Bag run.....Johnny didn't have a  chance with his limber short opponents. Sorry Johnny but this picture doesn't do it justice, video will follow. 

 

There are only a few worthy videos....this one is one of them.

 

 

 Jake and Brady sizing each other up

 Chopstick stack using only one hand.

Dee took home victory for the candy cane pick up!

 Coco and Lexi for the chap stick stack.....I love Lexi's disgruntled face in this one.

 

Kids had to get the ball to stick onto the glob of Vaseline to their nose.

 

 

 

 

Cup toss.

 Tweezer tic tac pick up.

I don't know where the competitive nature stems from?

 

 

 

Jake and Chris doing trying to knock the cups down with the air from the balloon.

 Pencil grab with Lexi proved to be the rock star at this event, which of course drove all the guys nuts.

Thanks again for a good time, had by all.

Did I mention I took home the gold? That's minute to win it and spoons y'all.

Whats chew got Novaceks?

Bowling - Chitown.

Bowling is always a good way to ward off the winter blues.

We hit the lanes with Novacek clan while in Chicago.

 

Team Under Armour.

 Chicken legs still in shorts.

 

The night took a devastating turn as Chris' bowling shoes circuit 1990 something....took a digger.

 He refuses to give them up......Seriously is there anything duck tape can't fix?

 Cousins hanging together on Christmas break.

Christmas 2014

Another Christmas season has come and gone, each one seems to move faster than the previous one.  

This was Christmas 2014

 Brady walked in the Santa Parade with his boy scout troop, the clear skies and sun shining makes no indication of how VERY,VERY cold it was!

Brady and his bud Max braved the cold and threw out candy.

 

 

We found the old time Santa at the lighting ceremony. 

 This is proof of how things run in our house. You must claim stake to any sweets left out before you go to bed. Brooke will literally never let Chris off the hook for eating her entire pan of brownies.

 Christmas eve, too excited to go to bed....

 This may be my last year for the matching jammies (sniff sniff)

I admitted that I bribed Brooke with a candy store if she gave me one more year. I can only imagine what I will have to raise the stakes to next year.

 

These two decided to bunk together, not sure if that was the best idea.....

 

Case in point......

 Christmas Morning.....waiting patiently (haha) for everyone to get out of bed......

 Boom. Reading Santa's letter. 

 Stocking stuffers!

 Even helping Roxy out before tearing into their load.

 I know, socks....but that smile is not fake. They may have been his favorite gift. I mean who gets that excited over socks? Well at least he can rotate colors now.

 

Brooke's big gift was the Ipod 5 and lots of athletic wear!

 

There is a close race in our house to see who has less wall space, Chris or Brady.....one more thing to hang up.

 

The Wubble Bubble ball.

 

Plastic bubbles....

 

 

A walking sports store.

 

Little did he know he would be watching this guy go to the super bowl!

 

 

 

 This didn't last as long as you would think!

 

Testing out Dad's new "Selfie" button.

Finally Greg's gift.....This one is always a special treat. This year it included multiple boxes, packing tape, duck tape, and super glue.....she complained the whole time, but secretly loves it.

 

This year he actually had her sweating (did I mention no utensils or scissors are allowed!)