Day 286

As delightful as yesterday's weather was, today's was frigid. About 25 degrees on the dial with a wind chill to about 10 degrees. However, that did not stop most of the kids from getting in the last two rides: a tube-tug kiddy ride and ice bumper cars. Then we visited with the Charlie Brown characters followed by a stop at the Dippin' Dots counter. Another great take-out meal from Old Hickory Steakhouse followed by a visit with the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker. The day ended with a raucous game of Texas Hold 'Em using Christmas cookies as chips! Oh, and the quilt gift got finished just in time. All the photos are here.

David was our very reliable elevator
door holder.

Texas Hold 'Em with cookie chips.

C'est finis!

Day 285

Today was ice skating and downhill tubing at the Gaylord. And after a delightful meal from the Old Hickory Steakhouse, it was time to decorate cookies and gingerbread houses. All the photos are here.

Day 284

After some last minute wrapping and prepping for house painting on the Foster side, we headed to the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center for a few days of pure Christmas fun. All the photos are here. First day included Build a Bear, a scavenger hunt, stickers and all, with a gingerbread house kit at the end the journey. And a walk through "I Love Christmas Movies" where you find yourself in movie set after movie set that you know and love.

First meal "out" with ALL of us in a long time.
Red Robin in Castle Rock.

Build a Bear for all!

Exactly how many in this family?!

Last minute wrapping before we left home.

"I Love Christmas Movies" was a blast!
"Bye Buddy, hope you find your Dad."

Polar Express coach.

AJ plugs in the Griswold Christmas lights!

The lobby!

Day 283

TimberCreek Church had service in person today! And Tracy (and Nana and Fina) had all kinds of stuff for TimberCreek Kids. AJ and the twins went Christmas shopping today; their gifts to others are now under the tree in red-and-black plaid wrapping paper. Matt whipped up a great steak and smashed potatoes dinner with which we enjoyed (really enjoyed!) a Daou Cabernet Franc that Trevor and Jen sent us. Wow! It's very nice to have Daou members in the family.

Gifts from Matteo/Lexi in blue, from AJ/twins in red/black.

Neighbor gifts

Day 282

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Banik from Nipomo!

Gorp!

Torah time with a 12-year-old Breva!

Packages from Matteo and Lexi are in blue...

Check out that bottom row...

Activities for TimberCreek Kids.

Lego aisle at Target.

Day 281

The Fosters headed out of Beaver Creek fairly early as weather threatened and Jamie needed to be back for "Horse Time" at 4pm (it was a 5-hour drive out to Beaver Creek a couple days earlier). It was a white-knuckler again, snowy, slushy all the way, very busy chain-up areas, but fortunately no 2-hour delay at Idaho Springs. The only stop was for coffee at Bread+Salt, a favorite little place in Frisco (exit for Breckenridge). Oh, we also stopped at the quilter's house in Monument to pick up a quilted Christmas quilt... It was party time at Flying Horse Foundation after bringing in the minis (3 horses, 2 donkeys) for their dinner. And they played Elf on the wall during card-making and cookie-decorating! Matt and Jamie attended Matteo's band concert at ECA right after horses. Interestingly, the concert was held in the same sanctuary where all of Jamie's It's a Wonderful Life rehearsals and filming took place.

Hot chocolate bombs by Fina. They're stuffed with hot
chocolate makings, just drop in hot water.

A little decoration at Flying Horse Foundation.

Matteo's Christmas Concert at ECA

Sand Tart creation continues...