Snow, Birthday, and Space

We got another 5+ inches of snow yesterday and were still shoveling it this morning. Fina chose to build a snow-unicorn using some of the parts from Tracy's unicorn ice cream birthday cake. Then Papa and the two older boys headed to the Space Foundation Discovery Center. We got their just in time to watch live (on our phone) the Delta IV Heavy launch from Vandenberg today. Then we took our picture by the model of that rocket at the Discovery Center.

A Unicorn ice cream cake.

That's a model of the Delta IV Heavy.

Remotely driving a submersible.

Working the "I found it" sheet.

Driving rovers.

The prize was your choice of heat-change-color pencil,
wrist band, or bookmark.

Ikea and Castle Cafe

Nana and Papa ran to Ikea again today (Tracy and Nana went yesterday). Needed to exchange some parts for Nana's new craft table. Found another fun place in Castle Rock on the way home, Castle Cafe. Reminded us of McLintock's back in Arroyo Grande.

Lynn took a break to read with David.

Check out that chicken!

Notice the parts of the light...

Snow!

I shoveled the upper part of the driveway twice yesterday. Lynn did it this morning, and Tracy and Fina handled most of the lower end. It gets pretty tough if you drive over it a few times before shoveling, which we did. Broke three kid shovels in the process (yes, they helped, too).

A Heritage Project at School

Tracy: The twins first grade classes do a lot with families, family trees, and heritage. Over break they had to make spoon people representing their heritage. We gave them the choice of, Swiss Italian (daddy), Irish (mom) or Chinese (biological). They choose Swiss Italian, I think they came out pretty cute.

Woodland Park

Papa, Nana, and Matteo took off today to explore Woodland Park (while the rest of the gang went swimming - nice 60-degree day). It's about 45 minutes from home up Highway 24. Nana and Matteo had just fired up the idea of quilting some place mats, so our first stop was a quilting/fabric store, Nuts 'n Bolts. Lunch was the next order of business. We tried to go to Ute Pass Brewery, but alas it was in the process of moving out of its current space (landlord raised the rent). Not sure if/where they're going. The folks there were kind enough to direct us to Ute Inn just up the street where we had a delicious lunch (loved the steak fries!). Interesting history, particularly of the founder Bert Bergstrom. We strolled the town a bit with one stop for dessert at the Donut Mill (huge donuts, largest cinnamon rolls I've ever seen). Our last stop was actually our destination, the Dinosaur Resource Center. Small, but very interesting and well done. Matteo was fully engaged, and it was run by a group of young folks that were very "into it." We also discovered a very nice city park just off the main drag, Memorial Park. The whole fam could spend a few hours there. More photos here.

Matteo chose his fabrics at Nuts 'n Bolts.

That's Bert Bergstrom in the framed picture behind the tree at Ute Inn.

Ute Inn and Bar/Restaurant

Lynn got another chance to check out a mini vehicle.

The main drag.

Pikes Peak on the left.

Two "ice towers" at the My Nutra building,
"the creators of hemp paste."

Memorial Park

Ute Pass Brewery

Dinosaur Resource Center

New Year's Eve at the Club

Nana and Papa took advantage of a special rate offered at the Flying Horse Lodge for New Year's Eve. Following dinner in the Tack Room, we intended to join the big party in the Flying Horse Steakhouse from 10pm on, but we gave up early and went back to our room for some more Christmas movies. Then breakfast at the club the next morning after watching some of the Rose Parade, then back home. It was a very cold 24-hour period. You should have seen us walking/trotting between the lodge and the restaurant I don't know how many times! Overnight lows were sub-zero. It had been a while since I heard that particular crunch sound of snow under foot. Matt dropped us off (after we all saw "Mary Poppins Returns") and picked us up so we wouldn't have to leave a car out over night. Didn't want to test the antifreeze. More photos are here.

Tuna and avocado "tower." Delicious.

Way too cold to be outside.

At the stroke of midnight! We had confetti all over the room!

1200-bottle, 4-story wine room at the Steakhouse.
This is the top floor. Stairs encircle it on the outside.
In the photo's center above the door frame you can see
a dining table one story down in the distance. Two
levels are for the restaurant and two levels have space
that can be rented for personal storage.

Scileppi’s at the Old Stone Church

Nana and Papa found this little gem in "old town" Castle Rock today - Scileppi’s at the Old Stone Church. From the website: "Built in 1888, the St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church was the first one built in Castle Rock. In 1966, the parish built a larger church east of town and abandoned the building. It sat dormant until 1975 when it was converted into a restaurant, eventually, the one so many of you have known and loved. And now, in 2018 the torch has been passed to the Scileppis." Drinks were great, food was excellent. Now there's an option to the hospital restaurant.

Entry way.

At left, the confessional is a cozy table for two.

From the organ/choir loft.

From behind the bar. There are about 8 seats with this view at the bar.

A new area called Sliceworks Purgatory was added to one side of the church.
You might guess they specialize in pizza.

The men's room was also added outside the church,
see the church's exterior wall on left.

Photo in the bathroom of the original church.