I'm playing some catch up today with blog updates! We have had lots and lots of family fun this year since the last update.
I'll start with an update from the slopes. We had a wonderful time in early March in Beaver Creek, Colorado with my mom and sister Molly. Though the ski school days are long and grueling (and sometimes they start with tears at drop-off) we also learned that they serve fresh baked chocolate chip cookies at the base of the mountain after the day is done!
The kids both gutted through two full day lessons with the wonderful teachers at Beaver Creek. On the third and last day, we went as a family up and down the bunny hill about 8 times which was excellent practice for the kids, especially Quinn. It definitely worked best to have Jason or I in the front and back of the 'family train' to provide direction down the mountain and play cleanup on the back end when someone took a spill!
After that trip, we turned around and met Jason's family for a few days in Breckenridge. We skied one day in Copper Mountain and one day in Breckenridge. By the last day in Breck, we were ALL having a lot of fun (even Mom!). Quinn found his stride and we had a blast exploring the Kid Zones and adventure trails! All in all, 2017 was a great year for learning to ski and some great family bonding time in the process.
Fast forward a few months to warmer weather, this year was also an incredible year for learning to swim! Olivia joined the 'precompet' swim team at the Carriage Club where we belong. This gave her the opportunity to swim with a group for an hour every day for the month of June. At the end of the season, they held a Precompet Olympics which was lots of fun too!
Olivia was the youngest competitor in the Harrison Rupp Memorial Swim-A-Thon. She raised about $300 and swam 6 laps! I was so proud of her effort and willingness to help raise money for this cause.
Not wanting to be left behind, Quinn was watching and learning too. By the end of the summer, he was swimming without a floatie for assistance, diving for toys and even going off the diving board!
Here's a picture of Olivia trying new foods at the poolside crawfish and shrimp boil! And one of Quinn enjoying the water slide at Great-Grandma Joleen's 80th Birthday Bash!
Signing off for now.
Love always, Claire
