Elf, Cookies, and Greek Yogurt

Every Year Lace and I have a tradition of using this advent calendar to celebrate the countdown to Christmas.  My parents used to get my brother and I the advent calendars that had the chocolate in them.  I thoroughly enjoyed them, and wanted to share this idea with my kids.  So Lace and I got this cool calendar with doors and you can place a little something in it.  We bought it in 2008, and Lace and I thought it would be great to put fun things inside, with the idea of doing something special each day.  That was great in practice, and in reality fell very short. 

What would happen is the kids came running to the calendar with full excitement of the surprise inside, and they would turn to us and ask, “can we open #2?”  To which Lace and I would respond, “…sure…  Go change into pajamas first.”  Yes it only took to the second of December for us to have nothing for them in the calendar.  As the kids would run to change, Lace and I would run to the pantry in search of anything to give the kids.  Jello, that won’t fit, and would be a give away as the pudding slowly oozed out from behind the #2 door.  Chicken Bouillon, it is gold colored and wrapped all pretty, maybe they won’t notice the chicken flavor through all the excitement.  Inevitably we would wind up with one of two things.  1) chocolate chips, each of them got about 10 (I love milk chocolate chips, and we always have 2-3 bags on hand) 2) (the one used more frequently) left over Halloween candy that the kids didn’t really want to eat, (i.e. whoppers, jolly ranchers, and dum dums). 

We have tried to improve since that first year.  With little success until last year.  Last year Lace went and got a bag of candy, and squinkees.  For those that don’t know squinkees are regular toys, like Disney princesses, and shrunk into little tiny toys, that are apparently the cutest things on the planet.  I have found that if you take anything, and make it really small, that makes it super cute.  So to convince my wife I need new climbing gear, I am trying to find a way to make it super small.  I will update you on my success.

This year we had the same challenge arise, what to put in the calendar.  The good news is we have plenty of Halloween candy still in the pantry for a back up.  I don’t think the kids will notice that their candy is slowly siphoned to the advent calendar.   So we are gonna take it day by day with the hope that we can come up with more memory filled activities. 

For Dec. 1st We decided we would put a note in the calendar telling the kids that at 9:00 we would make cookies, and watch Elf.  The kids were ecstatic! Day 1 was off to success.  We put Christmas music on, and started the baking.

Ayla lead the dancing (she had just returned from a birthday party for her friends, and that is where she got the makeup)

As we begun the cookies, Lace and I tried to figure a way to make healthier cookies.  So we replaced the butter with cream cheese, and Greek yogurt.  This was a test for Lilly to figure out what 3/8 a cup worked out on the side of the cream cheese. 

 

As we put the cream cheese and greek yogurt the kids were less than impressed.  They have felt a violation of their childhood, as the pure essence of Christmas was being vandalized for the sake of health.  We tried to assuage all fears and tell them all would be ok, as we were putting in enough chocolate chips that anything would taste good.  They were not persuaded.  Lace took to putting them on the cookie sheet.

While she was putting them on the cookie sheet, the kids and I were sampling the dough to assure that it was tasty.  It was quite good and tasted like regular cookie dough should.  We thought they were a little gooey, so we added a little more flour.  that solidified them a little, and we were set to throw them in the oven.  I was nervous to see what would happen to cookies with very little fat in them.  The fat is what binds the cookies together, and we were missing that. 

We put them into the oven, and Lace took position to watch the cookies to make sure they don’t spontaneously combust. 

 

After 8 minutes of constant monitoring by Lace, the cookies were…done?  They had gone in little gobs of dough, and they came out little globs of dough… The cookie didn’t even change in the oven, at least not in appearance.

After we had placed the cookies on a cooling sheet, Lace took one off the rack, and took a bite.  The look on her face explained it all.  She described it as chocolaty, cakey, and the same texture as Styrofoam.  Well that is disappointing.   

Not to deny the kids, we offered each of them a cookie without tainting their opinion by telling them what Lace thought.  They each grabbed a glob that they first thought was cookie dough, and dived in.  All three reacted as expected.  Disappointed, but not wanted to hurt feelings.   Carter said it was different, and maybe next time when we make cookies we could use the butter, just so we can remember what they taste like. 

My opinion - the cookies weren’t all that bad really.  They had more of a muffin consistency, but the taste was still good.  So we mounted up the tray to head to the movie, and enjoy some treats.

 

All said and done, the kids loved watching Elf and eating the cookies.  Since they were healthier, I felt no remorse letting them eat 5 a piece, and out of 24 cookies, we had 5 left over this morning.  Pretty successful if you ask me! 

Now I just to need to come up with something for tonight…  Either left over cookies, or 3 Hershey's kisses… 

Another Day Picking the Kids Up From School

I know that when I get into the car to pick the kids up from school my peaceful day is gone. When they hop in the car they immediately start on what went wrong that day. Who did what, who got a blue tape, so and so called someone names, this person didn't meet me where they said they would...yadda, yadda, yadda!! (sometimes I try to win the battle and ask what happened good that day, sometimes I give up and hope that if I don't respond maybe they'll stop talking...that doesn't work either...) And when they get home it's a new battle of how starving they are, how they don't want to do their homework, how the lunch I made them wasn't up to their standards, their rooms are too messy for them to clean.....blah blah blah. (This is when I try to go into my "happy place" and all the noise and chaos is muted and blurred and all I hear and see are birds chirping, a stream trickling down a hill, Prince Jeff coming to sweep me away on his galloping steed.........)

When I pick them up from school why can't things go like this... " Hi Mom, it's so nice to see you! Thanks so much for picking us up! We were all angles at school today just like you taught us. We're so excited to get home to work on our homework so that we can play all evening with no worries. We will also make sure our rooms are clean so the sanity stays in the home and then play quietly while we wait patiently for dinner to be ready. You're the greatest Mom!!

Am I really asking too much??

Ski Jumpers in Training

So the kids and I have skied a couple of times since the last post.  We went again today.  As we were skiing down having some fun, Carter crashed and created a new mound of snow with his butt.  We didn’t think too much about it and kept skiing…  Carter came down the same hill and hit his butt indentation, now a small jump, and crashed again!

Carter is known for his daredevil desire, so what happened next was no surprise.  Carter proceeds to fly down the hill and hit the jump… again… with what I think was the full intention of taking off.  He hit the jump and crashed for a third time still with a big smile!  Tough kid!! 

Undeterred, Carter raced up again to the top of the hill, and I got this one on film!

I was amazed he actually landed it!!!

Lilly, having watched Carter go over the jump three times, was well aware of how to approach it.  I sat with my fingers crossed to see how Lilly would do, and I got her on video too!!

I was amazed at how Lilly did on her first try!

Ayla was right at my side, and I asked her to stay there as I went over and talked to Lilly.  I congratulated Lilly, and explained I was nervous for her!

When I was done talking with her, I turned around to see Ayla walking over to the jump and wanting so badly to do it as well!!  That’s my girl!  I had to let her try!! 

I laughed so hard and was thrilled at how dang cute she was.  Yea for Ayla!

After that, the kids learned how to turn.  As this is the first official day of learning how to turn, I am very impressed!

What a WONDERFUL day!!  Finished up with some delicious hot chocolate and everyone in the car had ear to ear smiles talking about their jumps, crashes, turns, and snowballs!  I just love being a dad!!

Great day skiing

Ever since I got the idea of kids in my mind, I looked forward to skiing with them, one day. 

Although I always had the rule of “don’t teach the ones you love,” I pictured that since I was a ski instructor, I could teach my kids to ski.  (because of course I was different…)  If you want the full account of their first time skiing click here.  Needless to say it didn’t go well.  Why, because I was the classic parent, teaching their kids to ski.  My dad taught me how to ski…well, tried just as I have.  So let me take a moment, and say to my dad thank you so much for trying to teach me how to ski, as well as thank you for putting me in lessons 13 years later after I had gotten over the fear that all the adults would fall on me ;-).

As a parent you find yourself wanting to enjoy the sport with the child. The child on the other hand, is for some reason cold, tired, and sick of falling down with larger than life shoes.  Because I was so focused on success, every time my kids would complain I would find myself tensing up, seeing this dream going away, and I would just want to take their skis and throw them, throw them far away and tell the kids they can’t ski anymore…  I didn’t throw them, I held composure and just pictured my dad throwing his ski pole uphill…on one of his first lessons, and having to walk up the hill and get it.  (Dad I am not trying to embarrass you, just thank you again for a visual that helped me hold composure.) In the end, as a parent I am so caught up in getting my kids to ski a perfect parallel turn by the end of their first day, that I can’t stand it when they don’t try hard…The kids don’t know the fun on the other side of that pain…

By the end of the ‘08-‘09 season the kids had attempted to ski 3 times, in that I am sure there were lots of under the breath cussing, tears, crashes, and lastly vows that I would give up skiing to not have to go through this. 

This year I had to approach it differently.  I had to think back to my instructor days and not care if all we did was eat snow, talk about Mickey Mouse, and never put a ski on our feet.  It would at least be in a wintery alpine setting shared with my little friends.  So I took each kid out individually.  Trying to focus not on how advanced we can get three kids, but having a blast with one. 

Ayla was the first, and we went up to Alta, and I reveled in the fact that she was giddy on the rope tow (with me holding the rope and her between my legs..Something you can’t do with three for some reason).  We got to the ski run that we would be playing on.  We went down two times.  After the second time she said “Can we make snow angels?”, Of Course!  It was great.  We made two exceptional snow angels.  We then finished a couple more runs which she was able to pizza, and French fry, and had a smile the whole time. 

We headed back to the car, where Ayla delighted in hot chocolate, and fruit snacks.  At this point I regain the hope that I will one day have three little ski buddies to accompany Lace and me on great snow adventures…

Slow down I am getting ahead of myself, I still have two more.

After Ayla’s great success, Carter and Lilly were very anxious to go out.  We recounted what happened last year, and they both said they would love to go together and they would work it out…

I gave in.  I went with both Carter, and Lilly. 

We raced around the flat ground and reminded everyone how to ski, and I remembered how I should approach this with my success with Ayla.  I stayed on the flat until the kids were the ones to suggest moving on.  Carter suggested we hit Collin’s Face, the black diamond that comes off of the Collin’s lift, Lilly suggested the rope tow.  Sorry Carter. 

As we headed over to the rope tow, Lilly started whining about how hard it was.  I went into instructor mode and was able to shrug it off with no temptation of ski throwing.  Lilly went with me on the rope tow, and Carter went with an Alta employee.  I forgot to tell the Alta employee we were going half way.  So I had to drop off Lilly, and go get Carter.  Carter and I skied down to Lilly.

I had to stick to my idea of one at a time, so I left Lilly at the bottom and went up with Carter.  He did great! He was doing the pizza french fries, he was even turning.  (had he practiced in our backyard??) 

So after a couple times with him I went with Lilly.  She also was on it quick.  She only had trouble getting off the rope tow.  She would end up sliding into the powder, down the hill backwards.  Again kept my cool, and all was well.  After a couple times with Lilly she too was doing great. 

I then had them go up on their own, and wait for me and we were able to play follow the leader, they could stay on the mountain on their own, and their was no whining on their part, or yelling on mine, it was wonderful.    

After we had learned for some time, I wanted them to have fun so I told them to go up and come down and show me their stuff.  They both headed right up to the top and had a blast coming down. 

Here is a video of Carter going down the hill like the downhill racers he had been watching in the Olympics.

After some great runs we headed down to the car, enjoyed a Reese’s peanut butter cup, and some hot chocolate.  We then enjoyed what I enjoy most of the ski day, the conversations afterwards.   “Dad did you see me do this”, and “Lilly you were awesome when you did this, and that.”  It was the picture I had when Lace first told me we were about to have a kid (we then had two, but she first said we are having one…) 

What a great day skiing!!

A Lovers Dinner Party (Feb.13,2010)

  

To celebrate Valentines Day this year we had a few friends over for a delicious dinner.  No paper plates this time!  I had fun setting the table.  It was quite cozy. 

Here’s Annie digging in to her delicious potato after the salad and rolls we had as our first course. 

Britt loading up! 

Me and my Valentine!  Isn’t he cute!

Most of the night we spent laughing at the random, odd things people would come up with.  I think my favorite was Matt’s airplane with a parachute that needed to do a barrel roll before the chute could deploy.   (I know that doesn’t make sense now but it makes me chuckle as I write it in my memory log) 

After the dinner plates were cleared and we settled our full stomachs, it was time for dessert!

Chocolate dipped strawberries!  I had so much fun making them.  We had two trays full of them and most were devoured. (By Annie and me…)

 

I love this face Sean is making.  I’m not quite sure what’s going through his head but it reminds me of the yellow smiley circle guy.

Passing around the strawberries!  Yum!!

 

I think Sean picked the biggest one :0)   

Annie made this awesome Éclair cake as well.  

Everyone enjoying dessert.

Every time Britt would laugh she would tear up.  She spent most of the night wiping her eyes!  It was great :0) 

We played a game where one had to act out a mood and the others had to guess.  We were having a hard time getting enthusiasm from Matt….(yikes, do you think he’s having fun at all?)  

Just kidding ;0)  Matt had a great time and was a great sport and even laughed out loud a few times and I finally caught it on camera!  (wink, wink)

After games we took some great pictures of our Valentines couples!  I grabbed a rose and poked myself first thing and actually drew blood so here I am trying to get rid of those nasty thorns.

The Drakes, so cute huh?  I thought this was such a great one!

The Wilsons, Sean wasn’t quite as cooperative…

That says it all for those two, I think.

The Beldins, I don’t think that’s the Valentines face that Carolyn was hoping for…

That’s much better!  Perfect :0)

The Olpins, Jeff’s wild valentine side…

……………. TMI (Too Much Image lol)

Perfect, this in the one I want to frame!!

What’s a Valentine party without some booty shots, the competition is on!  Work it, work it!

And finally the group high school dance picture!  Love it!

Happy Valentines Day everyone!!

Snowshoeing Vs. The Ski Lift

Today Lace and I went hiking up to Snowbird and had a great time. We decided to make it more adventurous so we went down a big snow plow hill. It was much more fun than walking to the lodge.

Here is Lace right before we threw on the snowshoes.

After the hill we came to a rushing river that we had to cross. As I was crossing, the snow that I was on fell out from under me. It was quite humorous as I looked over my shoulder to the lodge, and we had collected an audience.

Lace was able to get across in a different place quite easily. It helps that she weighs 50 lbs less than me.

As we were hiking we came across a make shift shelter. It will be great if we ever get stranded 600 yards up gad valley…

Within the time frame we had, we made it to the top…of a hill right next to where mid gad lets off… at the half way point (see the map below). We were quite happy we made it that far.

We then rewarded ourselves with a wonderful ski down. 1 Hour up, and 5 minutes down. If there are any takers that want to join Lace snowshoeing during the day, give her a holler.

We made it where the thick black line is (not the ones with the diamonds on them, those are for skiing)