Child Abandonment (with Snowshoeing!)

Sam and I finally took a weekend to spend time as a couple, leaving Ryan at home with his beloved nanny. We headed up to the Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa in Avon, just outside Beaver Creek. I had a connection through work who got us a screaming deal on a beautiful one-bedroom condo with a view of the ski slopes.

My first thought on walking in was, "Oh, it's big enough - we could have brought Ryan!"

[These photos were all taken with my phone, thus the less-than-stellar quality].

We took the gondola over the river and then a shuttle bus into Beaver Creek, where we actually found reasonably priced, tasty Mexican food (BC has a reputation for being VERY chi-chi and quite expensive).

The next day we snowshoed up the ski slope to the Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, an EXTREMELY chi-chi resort. Somehow I thought snowshoeing would be less strenuous than skiing (downhill!) - boy, was I wrong! We headed into the resort bar for a restorative hot chocolate. I was, frankly, disappointed that they only charged $4 for it - I expected to pay around $10 for the privilege.

Our favorite part of the resort was the hot tub - even in the snow!

We had a great time reconnecting and relaxing, but were certainly glad to get home to our little Snackbox.

It's Stock Show Time, Y'all!

I never thought I'd be a rodeo fan, but that all changed when I met Sam and he took me to the National Western Stock Show. Each year in January, livestock breeders from all over the country bring their pigs, cattle, horses, sheep, goats, chickens, llamas, and various other farm critters to Denver. These are some beautiful animals, and it's fun to see the different varieties.

Ryan and I attended the show with Ryan's buddy David, his parents Jena and James, and Jena's sister Stephanie (Sam had to work). We started in the arena where the shorthorn cattle were being shown. We've been teaching Ryan about barnyard animals and the sounds they make, so when he first heard a real cow moo he looked at me all wide-eyed like, "Whoa - you weren't lying!"

David is fascinated by the fuzzy brown cows

My little cowpoke waiting to go into the petting farm

"You been farmin' long?"

Talking about not putting straw or animal feed in our mouths

Putting straw and animal feed in his mouth

Umm, excuse me sir - I think you have a little something in your wool...

Just David's size...

... for a nap.

Having a staring contest with an Orpington chicken

Christmas Booty, Part II

We spent Christmas week in central Missouri visiting my family. Ryan pulled in quite a haul here, too.

My mom gave him an electronic dog that sings "Do Your Ears Hang Low?" while flapping its ears. Ryan thought it was hilarious.

He discovered a new taste sensation - clementines. He didn't bother waiting for me to peel them, though.

We spent two nights at my dad's house, and celebrated Christmas with them, too, but somehow I only managed to get this photo. That's Dash the long-haired Chihuahua on Sam's lap.

Once we returned to Denver, Ryan really had time to enjoy his many gifts. This is a Jack-in-the-Box, only with a Sock Monkey instead of a clown. Ryan is not coordinated enough to turn the knob, but he has learned to anticipate the "pop" and giggles wildly when it appears.

He also got a V-Tech Explore and Learn Helicopter, "a bright friendly helicopter with a spinning propeller for fun role play. Features wheels that move and 4 colorful balls to load up and take out."

My family was quite generous with Christmas gifts, but it's hard for them to always get the right sizes since they don't see us very often. We made a trip out to Bass Pro Shop to exchange a couple of items. Ryan helped Daddy find a pair of jeans that fit:

I knew Bass Pro Shop billed itself as a shopping destination, but I didn't realize how elaborate this store is. They have elaborate dioramas with every type of taxidermied game animal - bison, moose, mountain lions - and a fish tank with an ENORMOUS Blue Catfish (82 lbs to be exact).

The exhibits were very life-like - a little too much in certain instances...

Christmas Booty, Part I

I was so excited to get this red gDiaper cover right before Christmas, and tried to stage a little photo shoot with bows, ribbons, and a mini Santa hat for Ryan. You can see what he thought about that idea:

Our holiday celebrations started on Saturday the 18th, when Sam's family came over for dinner. We were heading to MO to celebrate the actual holiday with my family, and the Flemings had planned a week in New Orleans.

My Christmas tablescape (that's not a real word, Sandra Lee)

Booty - mostly Ryan's

Big booty!

We didn't assemble the wagon until we got back from MO, and Ryan couldn't wait to help Sam put it together.

Now we just need a warm day so we can head out and explore the neighborhood...