Ring of Fire

7 Springs

We didn't have any big ski trips out West planned for 2012, but we couldn't let the winter go by without getting in some skiing. Once we saw that Owen had a four day weekend over my birthday, we decided it was the perfect opportunity for a little East coast ski adventure, so we rented a condo right on the slopes at Seven Springs in Western Pennsylvania.  This winter has been incredibly warm, and the week leading up to our ski trip was no exception as the temperatures in DC were pushing 70 -- not exactly prime skiing weather.  We weren't surprised when our first day on the mountain brought warm weather, and just a smattering of man made snow.  But this was plenty for the kids: Owen hit the lifts in ski camp, and Nora kicked off the day with her first ski lesson.  Nora was a bit nervous at first, but she had great balance on her skis, and she did an amazing job cruising down the little slope.  The speed scared her a little bit, but not so much that she didn't want to ride the magic carpet and do it all again!



After the warm weather on our first day, a storm rolled in and it snowed all day on my birthday. The snow was heavy and wet, so we were all a little soaked after a long day of skiing, but the storm brought about five inches of snow to the mountain, along with a healthy dose of winter beauty, and of course opening up a bunch of new trails.  Nora skied with us in the morning, showing off her new skills, and Owen spent the day in ski camp before skiing with Daddy at the end of the day.  Elaine and I took advantage of our time without the kids for a little skiing on our own, and a lovely birthday lunch at Helen's.



Our last day on the slopes was Super Bowl Sunday, and the weather cleared up for a beautiful sunny day on the newly snowy mountain.  Owen spent the day skiing with us before having a private lesson in the afternoon.  He took on a few intermediate blue slopes, and started speculating about when he would be a better skier than Mommy ;-)

Hopefully we'll make it out West for a ski trip next winter, but this was a great little trip, and I have a feeling we'll be doing it again on our next 'off' year.

(click here for all the pictures)

In the immortal words of Nora Fawcett...

In January three years ago, we had a post of some of our favorite, "Owenisms" -- random things Owen had said that were adorable or phrases that had become a regular part of his vernacular. We had decided to do it as a "Year in Review" post and as such, had a running tally that we added to and refined over the course of several weeks.

We didn't do that with Nora.

Partly because Nora's been more verbal at an earlier age than Owen was, that by the time we started writing stuff down, it seemed pretty rote. Partly because Nora mimics her beloved older brother so much that a lot of her phrases are really Owen phrases. And partly because what makes Nora's comments so endearing isn't necessarily what she says so much as the way she says them (there's a lot of singing and exclamation points).

But for the sake of equality and posterity...

1. I LOVE Uncle Dave.
2. I’m Ladybug girl.
3. I don’t have any poopies.
4. I want mines!
5. Go away, Mommy! I want Daddy tuck me in.
6. I want snack!
7. It’s my birthday.
8. I got a lollipop!
9. Don’t go breakin’ my heart...
10. I’m the baby robot and you’re the Mommy robot.
11. I’m awake.
12. Baby, baby Crockett...
13. We’re going to outer space!
14. I have a little gas. Do you have gas?
15. Argh…Where are all the peoples?
16. Thanks for cooking, Mommy.
17. I have blue and Owen has blue eyes and Daddy has blue and Mommy has brown eyes.
18. I’m so pretty.
19. I need the happy face.
20. Can I have Baby Jesus?
21. I’m swimming!
22. Bon appetite!
23. I go to church.
24. Can I watch Dora?
25. Tickle me!
26. My favorite colors are purple and pink.
27. I want to fly.
28. I’m so big.
29. Waaa…I want a tissue.
30. You have cold hands.
31. I’m spinning!
32. I don’t know.
33. Silly, Nora.
34. I need a wipe.
35. I’m Wonder Woman and Owen’s Superman and Daddy’s Green Lantern and Mommy’s Batgirl.
36. Yee-Haw!
37. Thanks for setting the table, Owen.
38. I want to sleep a little longer.
39. Can I have my crocodile be-be?
40. I’m not sorry.
41. Want to see me do something cool?
42. See my cool cool tower.
    
43. I LOVE my big girl bed!