Beaver Creek Day 3

Day 3 started with the trek to Beaver Creek.  Again, there were problems getting up there.  The gondola didn't open so we waited at a bus stop.  The first bus to come by was full so we had to wait 30 minutes for the next one.  We finally made it to ski school a little over an hour after we started trying to get there.  It looked much more like a zoo than a school.  After about 40 more minutes both the kids were settled and heading off with their instructors.

Since Tori has the stress fracture in her leg, the doctor told her she could not ski because the boots would hit her right were the fracture was at.  He said that as long as her pain level was low enough she could snow board.  That is why she enrolled in snow boarding school.  She really liked her instructor.  She spent the majority of the day on her bottom in the snow. 

Tina was with a group of kids that had a big range in ages.  She still enjoyed the day and I was even able to watch for her and catch some pictures of her coming down the slopes.

Rod realized that he didn't ski as good as he remembered.  Mark realized that he is aging.  Rick was still as good as he remembered :-)

Beaver Creek Day 2

Day 2 of our vacation had us all up a little early.  There is a time change and many of us are getting older.  The days of sleeping late are over.  So we all got up and headed to breakfast at Bob's Place for breakfast.  Then Rod, Rick, Mark, and Tina went to explore the town while Annette, Tori, and I went to Walmart to grocery shop.  Lots of food later, we all met back up at the hotel.

This day was basically just a "recoup" day and we were lazy in the room.  Tina beat Rod at her new game, Stratego. 

While they were out in the morning, they went up Beaver Creek Village.  Tina was so excited because they were giving away free cookies, had ice sculptures, and she said that night they were going to have FREE ICE SKATING. 

So after dinner ( Spaghetti and salad) we all loaded up and took off to Beaver Creek Village.  It was a challenge getting there because we thought the gondola was running and it was not.  We waited on a bus that didn't come.  Finally we walked a good ways to another bus route and finally made it up there. 

We found the outdoor ice rink and were ready to skate.  I was worried that with it being free it would be packed, but it was not too crowded.  Rod, Rick, Mark, Tori, and Tina were all going to skate.  Annette and I were going to take pictures.  I walked up to Rod after they had their skates and he told me that this "free skating" cost $75!!!!  The skating was free.... but the skate rental was $15 per person plus tax!!!!!!!

They skated for about an hour and had a good time.

The skating gang!

Warming her hands by the fire while on the ice rink :-)

Traveling to Beaver Creek

Christmas breakfast is over and it is time to head to the airport.  Our flight is on Frontier Airlines and is just shy of 3 hours.  This will take us to Denver and from there it is a 2 - 3 hour drive to Beaver Creek.  The flight was basically uneventful.  We all read, slept, or played sudoku.

After we landed, it took us about an hour to get our luggage and rent a car and hit the road.  Now it is getting close to 7 and none of us have eaten since breakfast.  At this point, Christmas morning seemed like it was days ago.  We started looking for places to eat.  Mark says "There is a Chili's sign, would that be OK with everyone".  To which we all replied "Sure".  So we exit the interstate and notice that all the lights are out.  Then it dawns on us that .... it is STILL Christmas!!!  So everything is going to be closed.  We should have eaten at the airport where there were still places open.  So now we are on a hunt to find someplace that is open on Christmas day that is not a rotating hot dog in a gas station.

We thought we were in luck... Denny's across the street... Nope, closed also.  Now Rick and I are both on our phones looking for a Waffle House, Huddle House, etc.  Anything that might be open.  We finally spot a McDonald's and a Carl Jr's.  WooHoo!!  They were both packed.  We settled on the Carl Jr's and were all happy to have Christmas Dinner.  Not exactly what was expected, but grateful none the less.  We certainly had a lot of laughs getting to that point! 

Here is the picture of Christmas Dinner 2011!!! :-)  I think Rod was the hungriest!

The rest of the ride to the hotel was uneventful and we settled in nicely and we all asleep quickly.

Happy Early Birthday!!!! Welcome home BEAR

Were do I begin?

4 weeks ago - I got a message from my vet (and friend) saying that she just got off the phone with the cane corso rescue and she couldn't wait to meet our new edition.  I couldn't believe what she was saying, so I sent her back a message and said "I think you meant this message for someone else"  She immediately called me and said "no, Brandy, they called and asked about you."  Well this freaked me out.  I could not believe that someone was using my name to get one of these dogs!!!!!  I wanted to call the rescue back, but Denise's caller id was not working. 

Obviously over the next several days, people kept saying "are you sure Rod didn't call them".  I assured everyone that there was no way that Rod would get another dog.  I mean these dogs are a MASTIFF!

After a couple of weeks, I basically forgot about it and didn't put too much thought into it.  Now it is around Thanksgiving and a friend from Rod's work comes up to the house with his dog that is none other than a .... Cane Corso....  Now I am back to being suspicious.  I then go through and assure Rod that if he is the one that has called, we don't really need another dog!  We have 3 already and Sugar is not friendly to new dogs.  I really thought we had dropped the subject.

Well not so fast.  It is now Tori's birthday.  I have planned a dinner for several of her friends and Rod, Tina, and Hayley head off for the day.  I don't have a clue where they are going, only that they will be back in time for dinner.  Around 3 in the afternoon here come some heavy footsteps in the door... My early 40th birthday present... Bear, a 2 year old Cane Corso Mastiff!!!!!  He is my new indoor horse :-)

Doesn't he look so massive and beautiful!

His tongue is ALWAYS hanging out

He can easily reach the counters...