Anna with our neighbors near their cabin in the woods

We had another pretty quiet weekend. Friday we had a couple of inches of snow but not enough for good sledding. Anna had a friend over on Saturday while Jude and I went to our neighbor Vera’s 90th birthday party. And of course we watched the Arsenal game and played some soccer in the park in the afternoon.

Playing soccer in the snow covered park

Sunday we were invited to our neighbors cabin which is near 10,000 feet on the road to Mt. Evans. Jude had a futsal game so it was just Anna and I who went. We had a blast. We had to park the car a mile from the cabin and hike in because they don’t plow the road in winter.

Enjoying the camp fire

We built a fire, played in the snow and did some sledding. Anna even tried some snowboarding down the road. Anna went nonstop for several hours barely sitting down for lunch. The best part was that instead of hiking out, it was downhill, so we sledded most of the way back to the car.

Doing a little snowboarding down the snow covered road

Jude flying through the air after using his sled as a snowboard

First a short note from Jude: After a dry winter so far in Denver, we received about 5” on Friday night, to be sledded in by yours truly (Jude), and Anna. I tried to use my sled as a snowboard and failed miserably each time, making it about six feet before going OOF! Other than that, all I did was watch football and soccer, both of which ended in bad results. Then on Sunday, I burned about 10 calories all day, and other than that I played video games and watched TV.

Anna sledding on the local hill

Jude is right, we did have a pretty quiet weekend. There was some sledding on Saturday and then both kids built a snowman in the park. Of course, there was also a snowball fight and playing with some of the neighbors in the snow.

Jude with his snowman in the park

Anna had a school friend for a sleep over on Friday night and they had a great time. They watched a movie and in the morning made cookies and Marcy set up a little spa in the living room. It was quite indulgent.

Doing a “mani-pedi” at home

Today, was spent mainly in front of the TV with Premier League soccer in the morning and the NFL playoffs in the afternoon. Anna watched a movie while a lot of this was going on. Jude and I did get out during the day for a game of soccer in the snow and he also had to take a run during the afternoon. Anna had another friend over and they played in the park making an igloo.

The traditional New Year’s Eve balloon drop

The week began in Iowa on New Year’s Eve. As always there are lots of festivities for the kids including a balloon drop and countdown (video here) and this year Baba bought champagne flavored cotton candy that was served in fancy wine glasses for the New Year’s toast.

Cheers to 2019, with a cotton candy “drink”

There was confetti and lots of it as the kids enjoyed enjoyed a shower of the colorful stuff.

It is raining confetti

Jude and Baba stayed up to watch the ball drop in New York, everyone else was asleep by then. Jude then went to his bedroom and secretly stayed awake until midnight so he could bring in the New Year.

Enjoying a quiet moment with Chloe

On New Year’s Day we made the long drive back to Denver. The kids were off school all week so Marcy had lots of fun things organized including bowling, Spider Monkey and some play dates.

Saying goodbye to Lola

This weekend Marcy had Ridhwan so I had the kids to myself. We played soccer in the park, went to putt putt golf, played some games and watched soccer and the NFL playoffs. It was a nice weekend topped off with a sumptuous steak dinner on Sunday night.