Singing happy birthday at home with homemade cheesecake!

It was my birthday on Thursday and it also happened to be Spring Break for both kids. So, I took the day off and we went skiing in Keystone for the day. It was a beautiful warm and sunny day, perfect for spring skiing. We made it home in time for a sushi dinner and Marcy’s delicious cheesecake for my birthday cake. Then it was off to take Anna to cheerleading practice.

At the top of the back bowls at Vail

On Friday night we drove up to Vail. I booked two nights at The Hythe (a Marriott hotel) six months ago with points. It is a beautiful hotel about a five-minute walk from the Lionshead ski base. Saturday was another glorious sunny day and we were hot most of the day. The snow was great although the back bowls were a bit too heavy to be enjoyable. The bumps were soft so we made the most of it. With 14 runs and almost 20,000 vertical feet, it was my biggest ski day in a couple of years.

Olive loves to be on the trail and in the snow

Marcy didn’t want to join us skiing so she took Olive on a hike which they both loved.

A delicious birthday dinner at Montauk Grille

After some time in the hot tub, it was out to a fancy seafood place for dinner. It didn’t disappoint, one of the best meals I have had in years. Jude had his first experience of cracking crab legs and he was a fan.

Today, we slept in and then went for a wander around Vail. After some time in the pool and hot tub we drove home via lunch at Chimayo, Jude’s favorite place.

Anna has rearranged her bedroom as the basement work is almost done

My new pride and joy, a Tesla Model 3

On Friday afternoon I picked up my new car. I have been wanting to get a Tesla for many years and now with the business more stable, I decided it was time. I ordered my Model 3 in mid-January and about eight weeks later it was ready for pickup. I absolutely love it, it is the best car I have ever owned. I love the speed, handling, and all the cool tech that it comes with but most of all I love that it is electric and we can use the sun to power my car.

During their performance at the National Western Complex

Anna had her third and last cheerleading competition on Saturday and once again her team did great. They won their division for a perfect 3-0 record on the season. Now, there are just a few practices left and then Anna has decided she wants to try out for the Elite team, tryouts begin in March.

Getting ready for the winner’s announcement

Jude started his soccer season with the Rapids on Saturday. We were up bright and early as he had to be there by 8 am for the 9 am kickoff. It was a cold morning and the team did ok but ended up losing 2-0. Jude was not that happy with his performance but I think he played quite well for the first game of the season.

Jude getting ready to drive on the icy Denver streets at night

Jude has come a long way in his driving in the last two weeks. Two weeks ago he was nervous to go the four blocks to his school and back. But this week he drove back from soccer practice, a 25-minute drive that takes you on the freeway. He had another long freeway drive with Marcy coming back from the passport interview, and that was in rush hour.

Then this weekend we had a few inches of snow and on Sunday afternoon the roads turned icy. So, I took Jude out to practice driving in snow. Again, he handled everything smoothly and with confidence. He drove back from dinner when it was dark as well as icy, it was only five blocks so it was a good test. He now understands how ABS brakes work.

Anna had a busy weekend of social events. On Friday night she went to a bar mitzvah for a school friend. On Saturday morning it was the bat mitzvah for his twin sister. It was a crappy day weather-wise so we went to the mall in the afternoon to buy myself a new suit. Today, the weather was really lousy but Anna still had her cheerleading practice and then another party for a school friend in the evening.

Jude and I skiing in Keystone at the top of the Outback

Last weekend Jude and I went skiing in Keystone. It was a beautiful day, albeit a little cold.