Wonderful Weekend (date night, fancy dinner, winter hike)

Friday started off very well, as I was sent home from work in the morning. I spent the afternoon at the park with Wilson and a friend, then met Cody for dinner and a play.

Saturday was spent with Cody and included a trip to the dog park, with moose!, and January's fancy dinner.


pictures later...

Seafood Dinner:
Clam Chowder
Crab Cakes (from cast iron skillet cookbook)
Smoked Salmon Pizza (no recipe)
Halibut Piccata (from Cody's memory)
 Garlic Rice Pilaf
Sauteed Veggies

Salad with Avocado Vinaigrette  :
Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and scoop out the flesh. Place half of the avocado in a mason jar and mash up with a fork. Add the remaining 2 TBS of olive oil, the vinegar, and the lemon juice to the jar, close the jar, and shake vigorously to mix up the dressing. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cut the remaining half an avocado into rough chunks.

Today we hit the icy trails on the hillside- it felt so great to be out in the mountains!

Powerline Pass was very icy- only I remembered by ice cleats

Beautiful weather, even if it was a bit windy

We set out for Hidden Lake, but the trail was impassable

Larger than life Long family

Avoiding the ice

We tried to go up and over... that only lasted halfway up

So the boys slid down, that got Wilson very excited

They were reluctant

Beautiful!

I love the colors in this shot

January in Alaska

Amanda clipping in on our first cross country ski adventure

Cody was surprisingly steady, until we stopped to talk about the route, then he fell

Cross country skiing success!

High five at the park

We already love our pasta roller

Cody's first batch of noodles

noodles!

 here's the dessert I requested: beggar's purse (Cody even made it mint chocolate: was delicious!)

Wilson, still hoping for a nibble

But he settled with helping me open gifts

The Caillat helped scrapbook

Cody and his friends finished the fort this weekend... now they're just waiting for more snow to make it taller

Christmas- Nebraska Edition

I apologize for the hoards of pictures, but we rarely all get together

Before midnight Mass on Christmas Eve

Opening 'stockings' from Santa

Learning how to use her new art supplies

Skeptical Nolan

Birthday buddy high-five

Enjoying time with Omi

Learning how to play her harmonica

Gift opening begins

Taya had to put her Christmas dress back on in the morning

Drooly boy

Rory couldn't resist trying Uncle 'Toady's' shoes

Girl plus Nolan coach

Excited about her mustard box

New drill

Photobook from this summer

Rory is quite the hugger

Pure excitement (mostly about the upcoming sleepover)

Getting some fresh air Christmas afternoon

Nebraskan sunset

Baby carrying (and lulling to sleep)

Touring the woods

Sleepy boy

Christmas dinner (complete with toasts)

Milk is ok to toast with right?

Fingernail painting and mustaches, Papa was obviously invited

Papa taking his turn at sleeping Nolan holding

Using some energy

There was much rough-housing

Wirey Otis

Cody held Nolan is this position for a good three hours, don't worry, we brought Cody some water

Naps all around that afternoon

Movie night (while we played cards)

'I can't see, Emlyn!'

Love this picture :)

The whole family (how often does this happen and everyone over the age of 1 is looking at the camera?!)

Building his race car

Aunt Erin is so funny

More cuddly Rory

Sophie's head is tasty to chew on

fresh flower in her hair

mmmm, solids

my turn

And the goodbyes

We had a wonderful visit, despite some sickness. It was all too short, but it was great to see everyone and spend time at the house.  Merry Christmas to all!