go skiing this year...check

as planned we took advantage of the recent snowfall and i got my 11th hour ski in after all. i was sure that the window was closed but in minnesota you learn to never say never. this was the first time that the entire family went together and it went well. we sort of have had to take turns monitoring owen on the bunny hill so we never actually had any runs all together, but allie let me break off a couple of times with the girls and on my own and she did the same. the temps started off in the 20's and probably peaked out at about 35, pretty close to ideal actually. i was happy to check this one of the list and am fully prepared to turn the page to spring, weather permitting. a couple more pics here.

it's beginning to not look a lot like easter

as the only minnesota transplant in the family, i often struggle with the logic of anyone that enjoys late march snow, but i guess i'm outnumbered. we bundled up the kids, trudged through the fresh 4" of snow, and attended the annual easter egg dash 'n grab at driftwood park today. among the hundreds of jelly beans, the kids also got to trade in special eggs for prizes. the snow is only supposed to stick around for a couple of days, but it might just enable me to sneak in a last minute ski day as i'm off of work on monday (we'll see). i've added a couple of new pics here for those keeping score at home.

tin grin...

noelle got her braces this week. i guess the technology is much better than it used to be plus you get to customize your "skin" by choosing from one of several colors. she's adjusting well though apparently having a mouth full of metal takes some getting used to (i missed out on this particular rite of passage in my youth). anyway, they look very natural on her and i look forward to seeing how they could possibly improve her great smile.
photo's courtesy of big sister alaina.

high honors

my oldest was just awarded a certificate of high honors in her 5th grade class. needles to say, mom and dad are quite proud of her achievment. fortunately, she has her mom's brains and her dad's good looks.

the top of the world

over the past year or so i've read some really interesting books by climbers including "into thin air", and "eiger dreams" (jon krakauer),"left for dead" (beck weathers), "touching the void" (joe simpson), and the one i'm currently reading, "high exposure"(david breashers). brashears' book details (among other things) his expedition to the summit of everest in 1996 as part of the imax film documentary entitled "everest". the timing was therefore perfect for me to go see "everest" and "the alps" today with my dad at the science museum in st.paul. the "everest" documentary happened to coincide with the greatest tragedy that has taken place on the mountain to date, as 8 people from another climbing expedition lost there lives after being caught up in a blinding storm at 25,000 feet. after assisting with the rescue of some of the missing climbers, brashears and his crew reached the summit several days later. to see these documentaries (shot with 70mm film) on a 6 story high domed screen was truly amazing. some of the images and footage shot for this film are spectacular; the closest you and i will ever get to seeing the top of the world up close. i can fully recommend seeing it unless you are afraid of heights.

if it wasn't for bad luck

i live in a family of current and future skiiers. it seems like everyone has gotten to go skiing multiple times this winter, expect for me. i've gone "0" times. i took last friday off to go and we had a major cold front set in. temp was 4 degrees in the a.m. i don't care what you say, skiing in single digit temps blows. so, i thought i'd try to go tomorrow (2nd consecutive friday attempt) and now it looks like it may be too warm. the only thing worse than skiing in single digit temps is trying to ski on a slushy. so, this is probably it. if tomorrow doesn't work than thats that until next year. grrrrrr.

40 is the new 30

ok,that may be debatable but one thing is clear. at 40, you are no longer considered a kid. i remember once being the “young pup” the “rookie” and all that. no more. something changed a few years ago when i started noticing that all of my favorite athletes were now younger than me…by a lot. i have come to accept the fact that i am clearly and adult now, some might even say middle-aged (not me however). i’ve pretty much given up on my dream of becoming a major league baseball player. i keep waiting to feel older and become more mature and grownup-ish and i just don’t think i’m there. i still like video games, keeping up with current music, taking in an occasional concert, sledding and skating with the kids. when will i know to start yelling at the neighbor boys who are riding their bikes across my yard? (ok, i've done that). when do i load up the medicine cabinet with multi-vitamins? when do i start buying sensible shoes? start aggressively watching my cholesterol? eat a diet high in bran and fiber? i can’t say i feel 40, although i certainly don’t feel 22. i have pulled a muscle getting out of bed and the years have caused an expanding forehead and added bulk to certain parts of my frame. the good news? no noticeable ear hair or andy rooney eyebrows. i think it’s pretty much everyone’s goal to live as long as they can and without birthdays it just isn’t possible. so, as i enter my 4th decade i have taken a realistic approach. i may not be what i once was but i’m better in many ways (i’ll not use the fine wine analogy here). i have a great family, surrounded by great friends and am so blessed it’s impossible to feel depressed. so..c’mon 40. i’m ready…bring it.