Winter Park, Colorado

While Amanda and AJ were here, we took them snowboarding up at Winter Park. I was glad to go there because Dan and I hadn't been to that resort in literally 5 or more years. We just usually go to Keystone or A-Basin now. It was great to get back there and see how much our skills have improved.

Speaking of improved skills, Amanda and AJ both did awesome especially considering that it was their first time. By the end of their lesson, they could both stay up on the board long enough to consider themselves snowboarders. After the lesson, we had some time on the mountain to ride together. It was so much fun. Both of them want to come back next weekend and do it again (You're always welcome, guys). I was nervous that one or both of them would not like it and the day would be a bummer, but they both had a great time. Here are some pics from the day.

Amanda rockin' the slopes:

Amanda and AJ after a couple of pretty good falls: Amanda and I at the end of a LONG run: Amanda and AJ at the end of the day: Amanda wiping me out: AJ at a yard sale: Amanda and I getting ready to ride:AJ in his lesson:

Happy New Year

My little sister, Amanda, was here for New Year's Eve with her boyfriend, AJ. We had so much fun. We had dinner at an Indian restaurant. Neither Amanda or AJ had ever eaten Indian food before so that was an experience. Then we took the light rail downtown to watch the fireworks. Denver does their fireworks display twice on New Year's Eve: once at 9:00 for families and once at 12:00 for partiers. We went down for the 9:00 one. Dan loves fireworks so I knew we couldn't miss it! While we were waiting for the fireworks, we went to ESPN Zone and played some games and hung out for a while. Noah loved being able to run around all over the place and thought the fireworks were really cool. The ride home on light rail was kind of a nightmare because so many people were leaving at once, but they really did a great job of managing all those people and it definitely could have been worse. Noah didn't go to bed until 11:00!!! Then we all actually stayed up and rocked in the new year with Ryan Seacrest, Dick Clark, and Carson Daly. All in all, it was a really fun night and I am so glad Amanda and AJ were able to be here for it.

The ride downtown on light rail:

At ESPN Zone:
Walking around downtown Denver:Dan and Noah watching fireworks. It was a dual display so you can see the second set in the background

Christmas in Iowa

Playing air hockey with Grandpa: Noah's cousin Brayden:

Go Favre:

Uncle Mikey teaching Noah how to golf:

Aunt Christie, Uncle Jim, and Brayden:

Noah and Brayden:

Grandpa with his Christmas present from Noah: Grandma opening her present from Noah:Sara and her Grover:Brayden: Grandma and Brayden:

Christmas in KC

Noah's cousin Luke:

Dan and Luke:

Luke:Luke: Noah's cousin Kenny (the one he couldn't stop talking about after Christmas):

Noah and Kenny jamming:

And then "sleeping" on G.G.'s bed afterwards:Luke:

Luke and Dan:

Noah and Grandma G.G. reading a bedtime story: Noah:Aunt Amanda and Noah: Daddy and Noah playing with the new toys: Noah opening presents: Noah and G.G.:

Noah and G.G.: