work day

Today may end up being the best "work day" ever. I am working until around 10:30 and then me and the COO of our company are going skiing. Does it get any better than this? OK, I could get picky. I could ask for 12" of new snow and bright blue skies, but at any rate a day skiing is much better than a day in the office.

Music

I find it interesting how important music is to us. It can change our mood just from listening to a certain song. The emotions that are tied to certain music - I just find it amazing. Sidney has inherited a love for music from Merilee. She has this uncanny talent where she can remember the lyrics to a song she has heard only a few times. Merilee can sing along to 90% of the songs on the radio. If you don't believe me, just ride in the car with her and turn the radio up. So, I thought what better way to bring back some good memories than with some 80's rock! Wow, I didn't realize what I would remember.

A few (that aren't too embarrassing to admit to - or are they?):

- Watching MTV with a group of friends every morning during the summer of '88
- "Laying Out" at Hyrum Damn - summer of '85, '86, '87
- Skiing with my two brothers at Brighton
- High school dances
- Driving around Salem in my sister's Volvo cranking G-n-R and Skid Row - summer of '88 and '89
- Camping in the Wellsville Mountains with our group of friends at our secret camp spot - '85, '86, '87, '88, '89
- Multiple scout trips

The embarrassment of growing up in the 1980's. Oh the shame, the shame...

Baseball in Oregon

Saturday was baseball tryouts for Boston. I can't believe baseball is already here, where did winter go? Anyway, the weather has been very warm here the last few weeks - in the 50's and mostly blue skies. (I am not really sure why Merilee is complaining) Saturday rolls around again it's pretty nice out, but it is cloudy. I take Boston to baseball and as soon as I check him in this happens...

(yes, that is hail in this one!)

ugh...

I have realized that I have been very grumpy lately. I would like to take this moment to apologize to all that have felt my grumpiness. I will try and change. I love you all!

Plus, Merilee and I are having a date night tomorrow. I am sure that will make everything better too!

I think the pic below will cheer up anyone!

Back to Life, Back to Reality

I am back from my trip and regular life has kicked in. Work, school, kids, etc. I think I was really ready for it though. I had a hard time being gone for that long, even though I had a great time. I can't believe it's almost the end of February. That means that Boston will start baseball soon, Mason is halfway done with basketball and Sidney is saying she wants to play baseball this year too. Looks like spring is going to be busy!

Happy Birthday Dad! My dad turns 73 today.

Friday

Well my trip is almost over. It has been a great trip except for my friend Trevor being sick Tuesday - today. He is feeling better now and even made it up for an afternoon of skiing. While here we met some Germans that are staying at the same resort we are. We have developed a friendship while we have been here. Today I skied with them all day (or at least until 2:30). We hit some great runs. Today the weather was really great, blue skies and very cold. When we came home from dinner the temperature was 14 degrees. I don't think it made it much over 25 degrees today. This morning I saw a fox running outside our condo, this fox was out last night too. The funny part is that both times I have seen it it peed on the same little tree. It must be marking its territory or something. We didn't see any moose today and Trevor is getting upset about that, it seems that he has missed all of the wildlife except for the fox. We ate a great little burger joint tonight. Just a counter that wrapped around the cooking area. There was grease everywhere and it was VERY unhealthy, however it was very good. That's about it, enjoy the pics below.

Here is our little fox.


View from the top of one of the runs. Note how far down the condos are on the left, that's where we take the first lift to get to the top of the mountain a difference of about 4,000 feet.



My new friends (from left to right) Leo, Karo, Michael and me.


Trevor finally made it up to the mountain today after being sick for 3 days.


Some spectacular views.

It's almost Friday already...

Where did this week go? I can't believe it's almost over. Today was kind of a downer of a day. My friend that I came to Jackson with has been really sick since Tuesday afternoon. He didn't ski at all Wednesday so I went up alone. Today I stayed home to give my legs a break and give Trevor some company. We had breakfast and sat in the hot tub and steam room. We also watched some movies. Other than that we didn't do much besides a few snoozes. I missed out on a great day at the mountain I bet as it was blue skies. Tomorrow should be the same though. Here are a few pics from the last few days.

A view down one of the runs.



Me on the slopes Wednesday, the snow was awesome!


The view outside our window this morning. The Grand Tetons are on the right, aren't they just beautiful?


The same view at dusk.