We gathered at Ocean Prime on Friday for my birthday

Another birthday has come and gone for me – there are too many to count now… Anyway, we celebrated with a lovely dinner downtown at Ocean Prime. The food is truly exceptional and this year we were downstairs where there was a band playing. Anna took an immediate liking to this and popped herself on one of the stools to chat with the band.

Anna is with the band…

The band took requests and Anna requested Piano Man on our behalf. I couldn’t resist to have a dance with my girl.

Dancing with my special girl on my birthday

The green couch has been a constant in our family since before Jude was born. We have all spent literally hundreds of hours on this couch over the past decade or more. But it is old, stained and doesn’t really suit our new house. We tried to move it to the basement but we couldn’t get it down the stairs. So, it is now an outdoor couch, undercover of course.

Anna still loves the green couch even when it is outside

We ordered the new couch right after we moved in and we finally got it delivered this past week.

The kids eating ice cream on the new couch. No stains yet.

Today was something of a milestone in our family. After talking about this on and off for months we finally told Jude and Anna about Santa Claus. We took them out to lunch separately and delivered the news to them. They both took it well, having had their suspicions for some time. So, this marks an end of an era. We said the spirit of Santa Claus is very much real and that they could now become Santas themselves for other people.

Jude holding the winners trophy in the season opener

It has been a busy three weeks. I had our 5th annual LendIt USA conference in New York on March 6-7. It was a huge undertaking, the hardest I have ever worked, but we pulled it off and it was a successful event. I was in NYC for eight days and then 24 hours after I got home Marcy and I went on a trip to Steamboat with just the two of us.

Being away so much means I miss some special moments. One such moment was Jude’s opening soccer weekend. They opened the season with a mini-tournament and his team did really well and won the tournament. It was apparently a thrilling finish, they won the final 5-4.

A picture perfect ski day in Steamboat – just the two of us

Since Marcy and I met we have only ever skied at Keystone, but for one Beaver Creek/Vail weekend before kids. Obviously, having a place in Keystone makes it easier, but this year we wanted to go further afield. So, Marcy’s parents stopped in at our place on the way back from Mexico to stay for a few days and we headed to Steamboat. We skied on Saturday on a picture perfect day – warm and not a cloud in the sky. There hadn’t been fresh snow for a while but it was warm enough to make the snow nice and soft. We had an absolutely fantastic ski day doing trees, bumps and cruisers. Sunday we took it easy, walked around town and had a long lunch at a Mexican place. This involved multiple margaritas and a tequila flight. We ended the day enjoying the hot springs just outside town. It was a wonderful weekend.

Anna enjoying the fountains at Beaver Creek

We have had a great winter when it comes to sickness. Both kids had hardly missed a day of school all year and then it hit us. First Anna, who started to get sick as we were leaving for Steamboat and didn’t return to school until Wednesday. Then, Jude got it right after and was off school all last week. School was off for a day and half starting Thursday lunch time so long ago we planned a ski trip to Beaver Creek. I cashed in the remainder of my Hyatt points and we booked three nights at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek (to pay for this room would have been $1,100/night).

Anna enjoying the snow at Beaver Creek

It is a beautiful hotel set right at the base of the mountain. You literally walk out the door and you are on the slopes. We woke up on Friday and Jude was still feeling lousy. So, I stayed with him and Marcy spent the day on the slopes with Anna. Yesterday, it was my turn. I took both kids out in the morning but Anna decided to take a break after just one run (it was pretty icy early). So, Jude and I spent the morning together. At lunch time, he was tired and Anna was ready to go so I had the afternoon with her.

Jude feeling good enough to ski on Saturday

Every afternoon we would all go the hot tubs. They have five hot tubs as well as a heated pool. It was very therapeutic after a day on the slopes. This morning we packed the car and headed back. I am heading to New York again for work and Jude had to get back for his cotillion classes. It was great to go somewhere other than Keystone and the Park Hyatt is such a beautiful hotel. No more trips planned now until after the school year ends.

A cookie and a Sprite is a perfect apres ski combo

What a handsome young man all dressed up for Cotillion

Today Jude started Cotillion classes. This is a class for 4th graders (they have other ages but you have to be in at least 4th grade) where they learn manners, social graces, etiquette, respect and formal dancing and dining. Marcy discovered this while talking with a mom of a boy on Jude’s soccer team and we decided it would be great for Jude. He has been complaining about having to go but he was a good sport and did it anyway. I think it helped to have a friend who was also doing it – one of his classmates from school.

It is a six week course on Sunday afternoons and now that football season is over our Sundays are wide open. While Jude didn’t have great things to say about his first class by the way he talked we could tell he enjoyed it. So far, it seems to be quite a confidence builder. One of our hopes for both kids is that they are comfortable in their own skin. As they begin to navigate the awkward tween and teen years, this class looked like a good opportunity to learn how to manage social situations. These lessons are better received from people other than us.

The kids had this week off school so on Wednesday night (after Jude’s soccer practice) we drove up to Keystone to stay for a few days. The snow had been great with Keystone having one of their best years in a long time.

Anna on a pile of snow at the bottom of Keystone Mountain

The kids skied with Marcy on Thursday, went ice skating on Friday and then all of us went skiing on Saturday. It was really cold but the snow was pretty good. While both Jude and Anna are excellent skiers Saturday was not a great day. We took them down a run that was a little beyond them and they both got very upset and ended up taking their skis off and sliding down the last part of the run. They were both very unhappy with us. That and the bitter cold made for a relatively short ski day.

Anna showing off her new tennis racquet (and the no shoe look)

Somehow we lost Jude and Anna’s tennis racquets after last summer so we bought them new ones this month. The old racquets were probably getting too small for them anyway. Anna was so excited when the box showed up she wanted to go and hit the ball around right away. The courts at South High School are just a five minute walk away so we went down there to test out the new racquets.

Anna wearing her Valentine’s Day gift to all of us

Tuesday was Valentine’s Day and Anna was the most excited person in the house for this holiday. She had made this elaborate “paper dress” that she had hidden in the basement and she brought it out on the big day – it was a present for all of us. She has such a sweet heart and she does love her family.

Having a little picnic in the park

One afternoon this week Anna decided she wanted to have a picnic in the park. So, she packed up a basket with some snacks and headed down to the park. One of the many things we love about our new house is that it is only three doors down from the park. Anyway, she took my umbrella and had a little picnic. She was soon joined by some of the neighbor kids and they had some fun climbing the trees.

Anna with one of the DU gymnasts

On Saturday night Jude had one of his school friends over for a sleepover. I took both boys our to a local sports bar for dinner while Anna and Marcy went to the DU gymnastics meet. Anna now goes to gymnastics class there and she was really impressed by how good the DU gymnasts were. She especially liked being able to mingle with them afterwards and get their autographs.

Valentine’s Day shopping

Anna is very much into Valentine’s Day this year. She bought her best friend a friendship gift and she has been making Valentines all week it seems. They have to make two Valentines for school, one to give out to someone in the class and another to someone not in the class but who could really use some cheering up. Anna is very excited for Tuesday.

A spontaneous outfit Anna tried on before bed

We had the warmest day of the year so far on Friday, it was almost 80 degrees here in Denver. It was so warm that we decided after dinner to go for a walk around the park. It was also a full moon which made for a beautiful evening outing.

Anna trying to climb a tree on our warm evening walk

Despite the fact that the Superbowl is behind us and football season is completely over, in Jude’s bedroom it lives on. He has played at least a dozen “Superbowls” with his football helmets this past week. This is an “eenie-meanie-minie-mo” game where he pits teams against each other in a modified playoff format. He will then record the Superbowl on a sheet of paper, drawing the logos of both teams and signifying who won. This game has provided literally hundreds of hours of entertainment for Jude over the past year and his interest in it shows no signs of waning.

Jude with his football helmets about to start a new “season”

On Saturday while Jude was playing at a friend’s house Marcy took Anna shopping. They only do this occasionally, but Anna just loves it. She loves trying on new clothes and accessories and this time Anna came home with a new outfit (not these sunglasses though).

Trying on matching sunglasses on their Saturday shopping excursion

Anna takes a selfie just before the Superbowl party starts

The highlight of the week was our annual Superbowl Party. Jude was talking about it all week and he was so excited when the day finally came. He had some friends over from school and we had our regular crowd. I cooked chili most of Sunday and Marcy made the house look perfect as well as baking the best brownies in the world. Anna was in charge of decorations – she blew up about 20 balloon and put streamers all around the house.

While most of the party didn’t like the final outcome it was a great game and it was good to see an exciting finish. Not much else happened this week. The weather was beautiful this weekend so we spent a bit of time outside but the main focus for Marcy and I was getting everything ready for the Superbowl party.

Anna showing her fashion style

Anna out selling her fresh baked bread rolls to our neighbors

While we have been living in our new house almost two months now the weather has been pretty cold so we have not had a weekend where we could spend much time outside. But this weekend was different – sunny and in the 50s we made the most of it. Marcy and I both acknowledged how good it feels to be back in the Washington Park neighborhood, where we began our relationship and then our family many years ago.

Anna woke up Saturday morning with a burning desire to bake some bread and offer it for sale to our neighbors. Marcy eventually convinced her to follow a recipe rather than throwing some ingredients in a bowl as was Anna’s first impulse. By 9am the house was smelling of freshly baked bread and Anna was off around the neighborhood selling her wares. It was 25 cents a roll and by the time she was done she had made about $4, a haul she was excited about.

On a sunset bike ride around Wash Park

Both kids were invited to a birthday party on Saturday afternoon which meant Marcy and I were able to workout and then have a lunch date which was nice. Later that day Marcy took Anna for a bike ride, the first of the year. They enjoyed the beautiful sunset over the lake in our local park.

Jude and I had front row seats to the DU hockey game

Our neighbors had free tickets to the DU Pioneers hockey game that they couldn’t use and asked us Saturday morning if we wanted them. Jude had never been to a DU game (I had take Anna a couple of years ago) so he jumped at the chance. They were fantastic seats, in the front row not far from center ice. Jude got to experience the rough and tumble nature of a hockey game up close. He had a blast, not least because DU won the game easily 5-0. Best of all, we are within walking distance of the arena – a 15 minute walk door to door.

In shorts on a beautiful January day in Wash Park although you can tell it has been cold…

Today we sent to church for the first time in about a year. The kids were not keen on the idea and didn’t even want to do any of the kids activities. But Marcy and I enjoyed the service. Then afterwards we went for a family bike ride – the first one in many months. It was almost 60 degrees and it was warm in the sun. Jude and I kicked around a soccer ball while Anna tested out the ice in the creek. They also had fun throwing rocks on to the frozen lake.

Anna, a young lady of contrasts – in her boots as well as a pretty dress and sweater

Anna built a snowman in the backyard this week

We had another snowstorm this week and Anna decided it was time to build a snowman. She spend the afternoon and evening building not one but two snowmen in the backyard. She was very proud of her creations.

Marcy and Anna at the women’s march in downtown Denver

This weekend Marcy and Anna went to the Women’s March in downtown Denver. It was a good civics lesson for Anna and an eye opening experience. Marcy had to explain what many of the signs and chants meant and some were certainly not G-rated. But it was a real positive experience for both of them and I was proud they went.

Jude had been gearing up all week for the big NFC Championship game today between the Packers and the Falcons. He put on his Packers jersey this morning and was counting down the minutes as soon as breakfast was over. I took him down to the park to run around to get some of the nervous energy out of his system.

A cold morning at the park was perfect for burning off some nervous energy playing football

Just before the big game started Jude had a surprise visit from Baba and Grandpa. They are on their way through to Mexico for their annual winter trip. Baba took the photo below as Jude opened the door to see who was ringing the doorbell.

Jude opening the doorbell to find Baba and Grandpa there

It was not the Packers day today and Jude was bitterly disappointed. But I was impressed that by the time he went to bed he was in good spirits and had accepted the fact the Packers would not be playing in the Superbowl.

Anna taking a break from watching football showing off her new pants she just made

Earlier today Anna went to her second sewing class. She went last week and loved it so today she was really excited to go and make her own pajama pants that she is modeling in the headstand photo above. She loves being creative and sewing is a newfound passion.

My name is Renton, Anna Renton

I spent much of the last week in China on business. The kids went back to school after the break, although that was delayed a day due to a significant snow storm in Denver. During this time Anna bought this nerf gun from Target out of her own money and Jude followed with a nerf crossbow. They have enjoyed having epic battles in the house over the last week or so.

Jude with his drawing of Yoda

The Art Museum have had this Star Wars exhibit of costumes worn in the movies, we went there before Christmas and the kids loved it. They went again on the recent snow day and Jude and Anna spent quite a bit of time there in their workshop room. Anna made some of her own costumes and Jude drew this fantastic picture of Yoda.

On a horse at the stock show

Today, we went to the Denver Stock Show. We haven’t been for a couple of years and the kids have certainly grown up since the times we used to go. All the little kid things like the train, petting zoo and pony rides were no longer interesting. Although they did want to sit on this horse briefly. We watched an animal show, checked out all the western shops and then Anna bought a fur coat. Yes, we went to a fur store where Anna saw this beautiful black coat for $100 and desperately wanted it. After a text with Marcy we decided that Anna could pay for half and we would pay half. She was thrilled.

Anna showing off her new fur coat

Finally, I couldn’t do this post without talking about football. It is such a big part of Jude’s life with the playoffs happening right now and Green Bay in the thick of it. Jude has been nervous all weekend about the big game with Dallas today. One of the reasons we went to the stock show was to get him out of the house and his mind off football. It was an epic game and Jude was beside himself by the end of it. The Packers move on to the NFC Championship next weekend.

Yeeesssss! Packers win!!!

Celebrating their belated birthdays in Des Moines

The day after Christmas we packed up the car and headed to Des Moines for our annual holiday trip with the Iowa family. As she does every year Baba baked birthday cakes for the kids shaped into their age: 8 for Anna, 10 for Jude. Although with Jude there was a little hiccup where Baba baked an 11 – it was easily fixed into an “X” the Roman numeral for 10. Jude didn’t mind, he still got to celebrate his birthday one more time.

All the cousins go bowling

As always there was a lot of fun activities planned for the kids during our stay. They played some card games, went to a museum to do butter sculptures, Jude played Glow Golf on an all boys night (with me, Nathan and Grandpa) and of course we watched some football. It was a bit too cold to play outside much but Jude and I get did a few minutes outside throwing the football most days. We had a big cousins outing to the local bowling alley. This was the parents treat for the kids instead of getting gifts this year – everyone seemed to have a good time.

Grandpa and Jude watching some football on New Year’s Eve

All the kids were excited for New Year’s Eve. We had some kiddie champagne, a countdown, party hats and even a small balloon drop. We did all this around 7:45pm so everyone could get to bed.

Lily and Anna enjoying some kids champagne on New Year’s Eve

Our week was over all too soon. This morning we said our goodbyes and we drove back to Denver. I am heading to China on Tuesday and the kids have another few days off school.

On New Year’s morning celebrating once again