Hi John…

I was outside today from 9:30-5:30 (with a 1 hour drive home in between).  That is my kind of day.  Gabe dragged himself out of bed at 7:45 to eat and leave for Sugarbush.  Today was the last day of Billz For Skillz.  Gabe qualified to attend however they only did 1st place so we don’t know how well he actually did.  I thought he did great.  His age group has stiff competition.  As always he had fun.  Unfortunately Tyler took a face plant in warm ups and had to go off to the hospital for a concusion.  He could not remember anything.  We heard he was okay.  Gabe was sure that he would have taken first place.

I met up with Karen (Cole’s mom) at 9:30 and we took a snowshoe up our normal trail.  We made it up to the lift line of the lift that goes in between the mountains.  It was cool to see the line.  I guess it cuts right through the bear territory and it took quite a bit to get approval.  We had a really good time.  We would be very good friends if we lived closer.  We think the same.

Here is Gabe…   

This picture is at the end of the competition.  Cole (in light blue pants) is to the right of Gabe.  He won first place in his ski category and got $500.  He also got a new set of skis last night from Night Riders.  Not bad for a 12 year old.  His brother, who turns 16 next week, is ranked 5th in the nation for speed racing.  Something in the genes I think.  They are a great family who spends many Saturdays just like this.

I dropped Gabe at Bolton around 3:30 and then went home to walk the dogs.  They had been in all day and really enjoyed getting out.  Satori has moved on from taking my socks downstairs to taking my other clothes that she finds on the floor.  I found several pieces of clothing around.  She must miss me while I am out.

The River Shore has been an ice rink however today was passable due to the 40 degree weather.  All along the ice you could see leaves and branches melted down several inches into the ice.  The sun must warm up the brown pieces and then they melt in.  It was fun to see the different shapes.  

Char and Alex were off to take the horses for a romp.  Can you just imagine coming home and hopping on your horse for a walk?  George and Jane went to Lucinda Williams last night.  Remember they got us tickets.  We would not have been able to go anyways due to the Night Riders change.  George said the music was great.

I went home and did another scour of the yard for dog droppings.  Glad I didn’t include pictures.  Lacrosse will go better with a cleared yard.

I got Gabe & Trevor from the mountain and they are watching “The Dudesons”, eating homemade popcorn and drinking fruit smoothes.  They are sore and tired.  The Dudesons are the Finnish jackass guys.  I’m not sure how they survive.  I am convinced that they have damaged so many brain cells they have no clue how stupid they actually are.  I’ll just leave it at that.

The joke show was on Prairie Home Companion tonight.  I like the classic silly jokes the best.

Look…I am done writing with enough time to read tonight.  You have been out of communication for 2 weeks now.  I like writing to you.  I feel like we have just talked on the phone.  I can’t get too gushy with others being able to read this.  Know you are missed, loved and still a part of our days.  Love….d