A Perfectly Perfect Winter Vacation

This break has been so lovely, I'm not sure how we will return to school and a jam packed schedule next Tuesday.  There hasn't been Freeride skiing, riding, or gymnastics this week, and although she loves these activities, it has also been very nice to not have to be there!

But, just because we don't have a schedule to obey, it doesn't mean she hasn't been busy.  On Monday we went sledding on Penny Hill in Ketchum, on Tuesday she skied with pal Kennedy at Dollar Mountain, and yesterday she went ice skating.

just taking a break

Christmas 2016

Friday night was sledding under the lights at Rotarun in Hailey, and Saturday was skiing in two feet of powder at the same place.  While we were there Friday for sledding, Emily kept talking about wanting to try the tow rope and that's where she picked to go Saturday morning.  The deep powder meant lots of falls and getting stuck, and a few lost skis that we had to dig out, but we managed to have some fun anyway!

Saturday meant the last day that Elfie was with us for the season, and the grand finale was a zipline from the tree down to the presents.

 And Saturday night was the time to make and decorate the cookies for Santa.

 Sunday morning we slept in until 7, and Emily was pretty excited with her presents this year!  Dot and Dash were what Santa left for her, a phone and a pair of boots came from Dad & Mom.  There were lots of good things from family and friends, and some money to go into the gymnastics and skiing fund!

The rest of the day was relaxing for Aaron and I while Emily kept the family far away busy with lots of phone calls and texts!  She's ready to email as well!  And when her phone had to charge, she tried out all of her other toys and craft supplies.  It was a merry day!

Salt Lake City

Another 6 months have gone by, which meant a trip to Salt Lake City for Aaron to have his check up at Huntsman... and all is well.  But since it was break, Emily and I tagged along.  Thursday morning meant breakfast at our favorite place, Park Cafe, before Emily and I returned to the hotel for a swim at the pool while Aaron went off to do his x-rays, blood work, and to meet with the doctor.  Then it was time for Emily to pick her big city activity and it was the Discovery Gateway children's museum before we were to head back home.

Winter vacation started Friday, and Emily began the weekend skiing in negative temperatures on Saturday.  She definitely didn't like the extra layers she had to wear, and she hates hand warmers.  Based on her performance from the previous week, she was bumped up a group and the boys she was paired with gave her a challenge as they skied in the powder from the recent snowfall.  When I picked her up her hair was frozen solid, but she had a great time and didn't complain of being cold.  They did spend more time in the lodge than on a normal Saturday (and I think I might regret giving her resort charge privileges on her season pass)!

Sunday we all enjoyed seeing the new Star Wars film that came out after Emily had a play date with pal Kennedy.  We've also played several rounds of card games, Phase 10 and Skip Bo being her new favorites.  Riding was cancelled over break, but Emily did enjoy two parties at gymnastics this week.  She was asked to move up a level and practice with the Xcel Silver group, but because of our Monday night commitment to riding, we couldn't commit to the Monday and Wednesday practice.  So now she practices one night a week with her bronze team for two hours and enjoys a three hour practice with the silver team on another night.  It seems like a lot, but Emily absolutely, positively loves loves loves gymnastics right now.  She's exhausted by the time Thursday rolls around, but she gets caught on sleep and energy by the time skiing rolls around Saturday morning.

The ornaments added to the tree this year were inspired by Emily's choice of Halloween costume.  And her handprint was added to the skirt.  She asked Santa for a lot this year - the Dash and Dot robot, a bar, a beam, a Gizmo Gadget phone watch, and an iPad.  For the record, Santa won't be bringing most of the things on her list!

Winter Wonderland in Sun Valley

Skiing was a success.  Emily is doing the Freeride Program at Bald Mountain this year, so it is 13 weeks of ski instruction from 9:30 to 1.  Emily was in a small group of three today, and her instructor gave a lot of compliments about how well she listened and how well she skied (and today was her first day on skis this season)!  Emily was pretty happy and proud to be skiing on the big mountain!

But then it was off to the Sun Valley village for the traditional Winter Wonderland party.  We started of with visiting with Santa, but she was a little shy this year.  Then Emily decorated her gingerbread man before riding the train and completing the scavenger hunt.

Teddy Bear Classic

Yesterday we skipped school and headed to Boise... in the snow, rain, and freezing rain for Emily's gymnastics meet.  The Teddy Bear Classic had 5 bronze teams competing, and it was a very successful day.

warm ups

3rd in vault - 8.75

1st in bars - 9.0

2nd in beam - 8.9

1st in floor - 9.35

And first overall!

The team placed third overall and brought home a trophy to add to the gym's collection.  Emily was very happy to bring home her five teddy bear trophies.  And yes, we came home through the rain, the freezing rain, and the snow!  Which is good, because she starts skiing today and we did need some white stuff.  

Elfie Returns

It is officially Christmas season with the return of our Elf on the Shelf, Elfie.  Emily was thrilled to see it Thursday morning!

Local Color

On the 26th, Emily and I joined friends at Local Color, a paint your own pottery place.  Emily had fun picking out a couple pieces to paint as Christmas gifts!

Emily and Gerda

Wahooz Family Fun Zone

On November 20th, Emily and I went with Aaron to Boise.  While he shot at a competition, we went to Wahooz.  It was a perfect day to be inside because it was raining outside.  They've redone the place since we were there last time, and Emily was SO excited to see an indoor ropes course (we had to do it twice)!  We also had fun bowling a couple games. playing arcade games, and enjoying a few indoor rides.

Princess Classic Gymnastics Meet

Today was Emily's first meet at her home gym.  It started off with her bar routine, and it wasn't a good start.  In fact, she scored last with an 8.0 out of 10.  Unfortunately, this caused Emily to break down in tears for a moment.  But her team and coaches cheered her on, and she rallied in time to do her beam routine.  She got second for that, and went on to get another second in vault. The highlight was getting first place for her floor routine with a 9.0.  She did so well that she was able to pull off second place over all, only losing to first place by half a point.  Phew.  She was pretty thrilled by the end to bring home a trophy, some ribbons, a new leo, and a bag full of goodies.

warm ups

bar warm up

beam warm up

floor warm up

nervously waiting to give gymnast salute
for her vault routine

 Emily even had an extra fan in her cheering section, Jeanne from Swiftsure joined us!  She even brought Emily flowers.