Pilot Point

While Grant and Cadie were skiing at Winter Park, Sarah planned a fun Spring Break with the boys. They played outside, spent an afternoon at Jump Street and finished up the week with Friday at Pilot Point with Sarah's parents. Jack Ranger loved the three horses - Jack, Vinny and Doc (aka grandpa horse). But his favorite was the Gator!

Daddy and Cadie's Winter Park Ski Trip

This is Grant and I'm excited to report on the father/daughter ski trip that I took with Cadie in Winter Park, Colorado from March 10-14. Also joining us were my parents (DD and Big John) and my brother Preston and his girlfriend Amanda. My other brother, Austin, is spending the winter as a snowboard and ski school instructor at Winter Park.

I really enjoyed getting to spend time with Cadie one on one and introducing her to the Rockies for the firs time. Prior to this trip, her only experience with snow was flurries in Dallas so she was really surprised at how much snow can build up. Plus she has recently been on a kick about Disney's Frozen so I think she liked being in the snow-filled mountains because it reminder her of the movie's setting. Our condo was a really nice 3 bedroom unit about a 5 minute drive from the slopes, and the view from the balcony was fabulous!

My brother Austin is mid-way through his walking trek from coast to coast. He has definitely assumed the "mountain man" look with his unkempt beard and hair for the winter. He fits right in with the other "righteous" nomads who call Winter Park home during the ski season. 

 Austin has been teaching lots of kids how to ski so he gave Cadie her intro lesson on the first of our three days of skiing. However, we all agreed that she would learn better in a small class with some other students her age. So we signed her up for two half-day ski school lessons and then she really got the hang of it pretty fast. Each day after class, we took her up the mountain so she could show off her new skills from her class.

On the last day before we flew home, Preston and Austin went skiing again while Amanda and I took Cadie to the snow tubing hill. Cadie was visibly nervous at the beginning because the hill was quite steep and Cadie watched others go down it very fast. Finally it was our turn to go down and cadie absolutely loved it! Although the ride down is fun, dragging the tube back to the lift and back over to the hill was quite a bit of work. Amanda was very kind to Cadie and let her ride in the tube while she pulled it. 

I had such a great time with Cadie and I hope this trip will remain a cherished memory for her. I look forward to introducing Ranger and Colton to the slopes when they are a little older and then we can do ski trips with the entire family!

  

 

Colton: 6 Months

This sweet one is sitting, crawling, pulling up and trying his best to keep up with his brother. Could that creamy skin, pink lips and blue eyes be any dreamier?! I don't think. He is as wonderful smelling and snuggly as he looks!

Shanghai

I headed to Shanghai for work on Friday, Feb. 21 and returned back home Friday, Feb. 28th. It was a great trip which included productive meetings and a short bit of time to explore the city. I went on a tour on Sunday with a group from PepsiCo and we walked the Bund, took the tourist tunnel under the river, went to Yuyuan Gardens, shopped in the Bazaar, toured Tian Hou Silk and had tea at the Jade Buddha Temple. 

We stayed at the beautiful JW Marriott Shanghai at Tomorrow Square and my room was on the 52nd floor! It was as huge building and the hotel lobby was on the 38th floor with offices, restaurants, apartments below. I loved the food and highlights included Jade Crystal Palace and South Beauty - both walking distance from the hotel. Our hotel was a block from the "Knock off Mall" and I picked up Ugg boots for Cadie, Longchamp purse for myself and a few scarves. I had a fun time bargaining.

I really missed the kiddos, but Grant did great and had a lot of help. I pumped while I was gone and Colton went right back to nursing just like I had never left. What a pain, but worth it to keep getting to nurse my sweet baby. It was a long trip, but felt like it flew by. Grant, Cadie and JR surprised me by greeting me at the airport as I walked into the baggage claim and it was amazing to be meet with their love and snuggles. I hope I get to travel the world with them someday.

The Bund

The River

Our team! Annette Couch, me, Arlene Green, Lori Dawson

I loved these little trees!

Yuyuan Gardens

Watching the silk threads being unwound from the cocoons.

Our meeting at the R&D center.

Irish Festival

The day I got home from Shanghai we met DD and Big John at the Irish Festival. We danced, ate popcorn and snacks and enjoyed wandering around. It was great to be back with my family!