Morton’s in Madisonville!

 

Celebration of Granny!

It's an emotional day--one year since my mom left us. It's almost unthinkable to write those words. To think that a whole year of all the holidays, birthdays, milestones, and what would be considered normalcy has already passed, and yet the absence of my mom and the shock of it all still weighs on my heart. Maybe it always will. Maybe you just can't lose someone who was such a huge part of yourself and ever be the same. We will celebrate her life next week at a dinner with almost 50 of her family and friends, eating oysters and po-boys and toasting this incredible, joyful person who graced all of our lives and left us all so much better for it. She never wanted a funeral. Instead, she told us to all go out and eat a wonderful meal together so that is what we plan to do. I had a dream recently that we were just starting the celebration when all of a sudden, I saw her there. She had brought Mamere, her favorite aunt, and when I asked what she was doing here, she said that she would never miss this celebration. I think that's true--she would have loved this gathering and I have to believe that she will be there.

Mason compiled this video from lots of pictures I sent her that came from photo albums over the years. We will play it at her celebration of life.

So much love to you, Mom, you are in my thoughts every day.

"If I didn't know better

I'd think you were talking to me now

If I didn't know better

 I'd think you were still around"

 (Taylor Swift, Marjorie)

 

Awesome Ski/Snowboard Day!

A snowstorm Thursday night and a gorgeous sunny day made for the BEST skiing/snowboarding day for Dylan and me. We conquered black diamonds, trees, jumps, and finding our way back to a recognizable run after going off the beaten path! We are not ready for the season to end in two weeks, but are glad we skied enough to pay off our season passes.

 

Crazy Skiing Adventure!

 Dylan and I had decided not to go skiing today even though we knew there had been some fresh snow, but when we saw a video that someone had posted from the ski area with all of the fresh powder, we were out the door as fast as possible, hoping to get there at 2:00 and have two good hours of skiing. We did get on the slopes by 2:00, but in our rush to get out, we didn’t grab Dylan’s jacket and we forgot his beanie that was in the wash. The wind was howling, snow was falling, we thought we might lose a finger or toe to frostbite, but we had THE BEST time! The powder was so deep and the runs were incredible so we skied until the lifts stopped running and thawed out in the car on the way home!

Look at Dylan’s frozen hair, not to mention his purple face because we also forgot the neck warmer!

Fancy Night Out!

Dylan and his sweet girlfriend, Ava, dressed up with their friends and went to dinner to celebrate Ella’s birthday.

Love the boys being cool on the hoods of their wagons!

 

Another Beautiful Day on the Mountain!

Here are a few videos of Dylan and Andy and a picture of Dana’s nephew on his first trip up the big lift! 

 

Cat Looks Like a Gangster

 

Memorial and Reception for Grandma Alice

The memorial service for Grandma Alice was beautiful. Andrew arranged the flowers so that three red roses represented the daughters, four white roses represented the sons, one pink rose for Grandpa Bill and a large red rose for Grandma Alice. All of the speakers and readers did a lovely job remembering a truly amazing woman. 

Ski Date!

We got in a quick morning of skiing today. Poor Dylan had to go to school instead.

 

Another Day on the Slopes!

Living the life!!!

Mason and Jay’s Day at Loveland!

 

Best Snow Day on the Slopes!!

Oh, my gosh, the powder was a dream!! It snowed the whole day while we skied and the runs were pretty deep powder! So much fun! Oh, and I got the video of Dylan before he took off with a friend. He mastered toe side (I think that’s what it is called) snowboarding.

 

APES snake!

 

Weekend Visit from Mason!