Visit from Uncle Joel

My brother Joel came to visit for a little over a week, this was his first time here since we have been in the new house about 2 1/2 years ago. We tried to show him a good time, I think the kids liked having him around, Caleb even wanted to go back with him. We made a few trips to the park, a soccer game, a St. Patricks parade in old town Fort Collins, some bowling and a visit to a couple breweries. The weather was beautiful, a little cold some mornings, but hardly a cloud in the sky all week, which coming from Oregon was a welcome sight to him. I personally neglected most of the housework that needed to be done and stayed up too late most nights watching movies and playing darts.

Uncle Joel reading Toy Story 2 to Caleb

Going high on the swing

Joel and Rachel waving to the camera

Caleb caught coming out of the tunnel

Feeding the elk (reindeer as Caleb calls it) in front of Sportsman's Warehouse

St. Patrick's Day Parade

Happy St. Patricks Day

Caleb loves chocolate (imitation oreos)

Rachel uses chocolate cookies as styling product...courtesy of Caleb

Steamboat in February

We spent the last weekend in February in Steamboat with the Caplingers, it was a crazy busy house with the 4 little ones, and not much sleep was to be had our first night, but we all had a good time. Caleb got to strap on a pair of skis for the first time and join Anna on the slopes, he did great, much better than I anticipated! He loved it and if you ask him he likes to talk about making pizza slices and french fries with the skis and how he skis backwards. I posted a video below, please forgive me, I did not realize that the camera wouldn't reorient the video, so it is best viewed lying down on your side! I also got to strap on a pair of skis after a 4 year hiatus, Jen and I had a mom's afternoon on the mountain and had a great time.

On the soccer front if anyone is still dying to know, Doug's team won the game against the in town rivals and thus headed for Las Vegas for the International Championship, as it turns out so did the in town rival due to another district not sending their team. Both the local teams were out after pool play and did not advance, so indoor soccer is done....for now. Outdoor soccer has once again resumed, and after the first game it is clear to me that if I take the kids with me to the game I will not see any of the game due to a playground in proximity.

Caleb skiing with a big smile on his face

Caleb ski video, again I apologize for the sideways view

Auntie Jen sitting on the sidelines with Rachel and John

Anna's second run on the hill

Me on the slopes at the end of a beautiful day, thanks Jen for the fun time and the only photo I have of me on skis


Anna flying down the steep sledding hill in front of the house