Neil Diamond

On Dec 17 Jen and I went to see Neil Diamond at the Pepsi Center. It was a nice show but not nearly as entertaining and high energy as his show two years ago. Is it possible that Neil is slowing down?

Here are a couple of pix from my phone:

Please, More and Thank You

I know the everyone thinks that their kid is the smartest kid, EVER. But, come on, check out the big brain on this kid! He is quite proficent at signing More, Please and sometimes Thank You. We won't talk about the fact that he is 14 months old and still not walking. Someday...

Car Entertainment

Here is a little sample of Oliver's fun little giggle!

So, maybe we shouldn't encourage Oliver to make truck noises when he has water in his mouth. It was just something that I had to capture. We'll work on not spraying water at another time.

Weekend in Vail

This weekend we went to Vail with Jen and Craig and had a great weekend in the snow. We went up on Friday night and Oliver was quite exited about our hotel accommodations. I think here he was wondering how he could hi-jack this big plush bed and put us in the pack-n-play instead.

On Saturday morning Keith and I went skiing and Oliver spent the morning with Jen and Craig.

We woke up to several inches of fresh snow and it continued to snow that morning. On the way up the lift the sun was trying to peek through, but it never did quite make it.

Looking back over our shoulder on the chair lift, another view of Vail.
At the top at last! Here is Keith (in orange on the right) under the Blue Sky Overlook sign. It was the first day that Blue Sky was open. We usually head straight back there but there was a steady stream of people heading that direction so we steered clear and stayed on the front side where the lift lines were only about 10 people long and 5 minutes instead of many people long and 20 minutes or more. The snow was amazing and we had a great time!
Looking out over Vail Valley.
This was about the time we got a text from Craig that Oliver had successfully managed to chow down three pancakes, he was rubbing his belly and they were going to take him out for a walk. They probably thought that he was rubbing his belly to say he was happy and full. Actually, it means Please and he probably would have tackled another pancake if they would have let him. This weekend he became quite proficient with Please, More and occasionally Thank You in sign language.

It was nearly noon so I needed to head back to relieve Craig and Jen and Craig was going to head out to ski with Keith.

On the way down to Vail Village, Keith stopped for a moment to demonstrate the new snow on the sidelines.

Striking a pose before calling it a day. After Jen, Oliver and I had lunch at the Red Lion, we took a small stroll and Oliver and I stopped to strike a pose at the creek that rolls through town.

Saturday night we all went out to dinner before Jen and Craig went to The Fray concert at the outdoor Ford Theater. We opted out of the concert since it was outdoors and we had the munchkin in tow.

Hail, Hail, the gang's all Here!

Craig, Jen, Carrie, Oliver and Keith in Vail Village. Just the guys!

Keith, Oliver and Craig

Just the girls.... kind of.

Carrie, Jen and Baby Stack, which we fondly refer to as Short Stack (baby boy due in April).

Oliver after dinner, fired up to go out in the cold!

Little did Oliver know... it was snowing!!!! Not just a little... but A LOT!!!!

Family photo by the fountain. BRRRR.... time for a fire side chat.

Back at the ranch.... uh... Lodge at Vail.

Oliver and Keith catching up on some important studies by Dr Seuss.

Oliver LOVES to read. Can't you tell?

Who wouldn't love to read about Dr Seuss' sheep?

Oliver and Carrie snuggling tight!

Oliver running laps around the fire side coffee table.

Sunday morning we woke up to 12" of fresh snow and the snow continued to fall. You can't tell in this picture, but it was still snowing. Oliver isn't sleeping, his eyes are shut from the snow blowing around. He was all bundled up though and he was quite toasty.

I thought this was quite humorous. There was a steady stream of skiers flowing through Vail Village, anxious to hit first tracks. Not us, we were strolling around with a baby. I guess we've traded in our ski's for a stroller!! HA HA!! Well, today, anyway.

Let it Snow, Let is Snow, Let it Snow!

Keith and Oliver walking back into our hotel. Notice there wasn't any snow on the sidewalks in Vail. That is because the main sidewalks are all heated so the snow doesn't stick around.

We headed out early today in order to beat the traffic and reduce our chances of being stranded in the mountains. I-70 has been closed several times over the past two years and we didn't want to get stuck up there due to the roads being closed. What do you do when you're entertaining yourself in the car? Take pictures, of course!

Our fearless driver!

Oliver, happy as a back seat driver.

Self Portrait. Can't forget to document that I was here too, ya know.

Moments later... Lights Out!

We made a Starbucks stop and I found this picture on the camera when I uploaded tonight. Hmmm.... so this is what kept the boys entertained. Pictures!

Oliver, Is that a Football on your head or are you just happy to be going home?!

Jen and Craig - Thanks for a great weekend! We had a blast!!!

Old McDonald Dances!

Oliver was really enjoying the "Old McDonald" song last night. We thought it was so funny that we couldn't stop laughing and I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. Oliver was even talented enough to get a few percussion beats in with the air vent. Funny Guy!

Oliver, the Book Worm

Oliver loves to read books and it is something he enjoys doing several times every day. It is not uncommon to find him sitting quietly with a book. Yesterday, he was telling me about his tractor book and his new Christmas book.

Last night Oliver was hitting the books again, reading about the ABC's.

A Christmas Carol Date

Saturday we went to see the Christmas Carol with Jen and Craig at the Denver Center for Performing Arts. We had a great time and it was a perfect way to kick off the Christmas holiday season.

After the show we went across the street to The Corner Office for drinks an appetizers.

Oliver and Mama

Just a couple of photos of Oliver and I the other day.

Oliver's Portrait Drawing

My cousin's wife, Becky, drew Oliver's portrait for his first birthday. I think that it is absolutely amazing and I love it! Check it out!! You can also see more of her work at Pretty Pictures.

Sunday

On Sunday morning everyone left except Jeff and Lindsey. Their flight wasn't until late on Sunday so we went to the mall to see Santa and so that Lindsey could have coffee with a friend.

Here is Carrie, Oliver and Jeff waiting in line for Santa.

Oliver was in a great mood until he saw Santa. The second he saw him he started to get nervous. The moment he sat on Santa's lap he broke out into a scream. Poor Santa!!! He was a trooper and we got this classic photo of Oliver screaming on Santa's lap. I hope he doesn't get coal in his stocking this year!

After Santa we went to meet Lindsey at the Nordstrom's coffee bar. Two kids had balloon's from Nordstrom's so Keith and Oliver set off to find one for themselves. Oliver came trucking out with this fine blue balloon. There is nothing better than a balloon and a zucchini bread snack on a snowy Sunday.

Quick family photo outside.