A Different Sort of Skiing

I picked up a pair of Cross Country skis this weekend. Complements of “Dave” and his ad in the KSL classifieds. It was a screaming deal a newish pair of skis, bindings, and size 6.5 woman’s boots all for 40 smackers. Perfect! I feel very lucky and am glad I made the hour plus drive to go get them. I don’t even think these babies have been skied on more than once before they were turned over to me. The boots don’t even have any scuff marks or signs of wear. Amazing what can happen when you put a little request out into the cosmic soup.

Ellie and I took them for a little test run yesterday in the yard and such. I felt pretty confident that we could handle it and I wont lie the beautiful sunny day helped motivate as well. So, today we went out for the real deal. We went to Wasatch Mountain State Park in Midway where there is a groomed track. It was a good time hardly a person around save for the 3 older gentlemen who swooshed by and were psyched to see such a “wee one” out and about.

At any rate we had a good time today. I thoroughly enjoyed getting outside, breathing fresh air, and exercise. I think Ellie liked it, she pointed out a few trees that caught her interest. Her favorite part was at the end of the tour when she got to get out of the pack and play and stomp in the snow. She loves being outside. Whenever Gary or I pick her up to bring her in she protests. Cold and wet doesn’t seem to phase her yet.

My Favorite Christmas Picture of 2008

Thanks Danielle for capturing the moment and puting it up for us to share. Love all your pictures from Christmas Eve.  These are my favorites…

Christmas Backlog

We enjoyed Christmas this year so much we lost ourselves in it. It was a special Christmas for Gary, Ellie and I this year because we were able to combine both the Marcoccia’s and the McKenney’s. My parents decided to come along with us to New York and spend the Holidays with the Marcoccia’s. So needless to say our hearts were full and we had a wonderful time. Everyone got along fine. The Grandpa’s talked, and talked, and talked, and the Grandma’s cooked, and cooked, and cooked. Pretty much we were gluttons this Christmas. We were spoiled! We all came home 10 pound heavier literally. This I am not proud of and Gary has put himself on an oatmeal diet the last few days, and Ellie, oh my little sweet Ellie, well she is going to have to adjust to just one Mommy now and a few no’s thrown her way.

We have a ton of Photos up on flickr Check out our Christmas 2009 set here

After Christmas we had a Cider making day. It was a beautiful day so we brought out the apple press and made some cider up in the barn

My parents and I took a day trip to Niagara Falls. It was COLD. We were a little bummed out to find that the walk way was closed due to ice build up from the mist off the falls. We did well though it was a blue sky day and we had a nice lunch with a view of the river. On the way back we took route 14 down along Seneca Lake which turned out to be a good choice as the sunset we enjoyed a nice view of the NY Finger Lakes landscape.

Now we are home and I’m overwhelmed with a truck load of things I need to unpack, a house I need to get organized, groceries I must shop for, a body I need to get back into shape, and a winter I need to start enjoying.

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree

We decorated the Christmas tree last night. Our plans to decorate earlier in the week were put off so that we could enjoy the company of Jill, Kevin, and Sarah. The old record player was brought out and we were bopping around the tree listening to the scratchy old 40’s spinning around. All the ancient and new Christmas ornaments were hung. Grandma Marcoccia has quiet a collection she has kept every ornament from the begining of their marrage up until the glass ornament we made last year. Each ornament is remembered by Sarah, Jill, Gary, and Kevin and each one has a story.  There are even some very special ornaments that were passed down from Great Grandma Opal. Ellie got right into the mix. She was very interested in hanging up the ornaments. She even did some dancing for us.

[flickrvideo]http://www.flickr.com/photos/17005385@N04/3127500961/[/flickrvideo]

Together Again

We all made it to NY safe and sound. Gary and the dogs adventure across the country went well a little exhausting but relatively smooth sailing. Ellie and I had good travels as well. We had a big hike through the Detroit airport to our connecting flight. It snowed the night before Ellie and I arrived so we were happy to see a beautiful white winter landscape as we landed.

The Spaziani Christmas Eve party was early this year and we were so glad to be able to go. Kim and Donna and their family always put on a good party. Ellie had a good time running through the house trying not to make eye contact with anyone.

Today we geared up in all our winter attire and went to round up a Christmas tree. We were successful and it was so nice to go out and enjoy all the fresh snow. There were many trees to choose from, the Marcoccia’s have a special spot where there are many overgrown Christmas trees in need of a good warm home.  We will be putting it up this Tuesday after it has a chance to thaw and dry off a bit.

Fun with Grandma

Grandma McKenney did my hair this morning… Do you like it? Might have her do it again for my reunion with Daddy.

The Alta Experience

For those of you residing in Utah KUED and the University of Utah will be airing a documentary on Wednesday, December 3rd at 7pm called “The Alta Experience”.  Alta is celebrating 70th anniversary this year. The documentary is an hour long and highlights Alta’s colorful history and powder hound personalities. Anyway,  you all know what Gary and I will be doing the evening of the 3rd and I just thought I’d pass it along.

It’s a Round Ball

Last weekend we had the pleasure of seeing our favorite band play in Salt Lake City. We boogied into the wee hours, enjoyed the music, and relished in the company of our friends who joined us…

This is one of my favorite songs…

Family Picture

The world is a wondrous puzzle
Everyone a piece and every piece fits
Every piece is alive making energy
Energy pulls the pieces together
Into a round ball
And there is love
It’s a round ball
And there is love

The ball jumps the ball rolls
The ball lives in the moment I am told
The ball pumps and rolls with the flow
The ball laughs as it bounces

Sure as the sunrise it doesn’t matter
the shape of the hat
It all fits together in a family picture
And every wall’s got room for that

Every piece is a part of the whole
No one piece more important than the rest
So stand up, take a number
Every piece here’s got someplace to go
It’s a round ball
And there is love
It’s a round ball
And there is love
There is love

Hey there look at you, you got nothin’ else to do
you got any bright ideas
Tumbleweed rolling by
Catch the dust up in your eye
Saddle up the grey and ride out

by Donna The Buffalo

Donna The Buffalo filmed performing Family Picture at the State
Theatre in Ithaca, March 2007:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apFAs2P896o[/youtube]

Thanks Mom for taking care of Ellie while we went out to play….