Christmas Morning

The morning started off early for Audra and I, arising long before sunrise to enjoy some coffee and the morning news paper. The kids had stayed up late, watching movies down in the Den.

With a high yesterday of 14 degrees and a chilly morning of 9 degrees, I slipped on the Pak Books to get the morning paper. The kids know how to set up camping arrangements! Coming up from the Den.
Click on the arrow to watch this video.

Christmas Eve

The Colorado Lane's enjoyed a traditional Christmas Eve, once Cassi drove down from Boulder (she worked at Cosco until 6pm), we enjoyed hors devoeuvres, hung the stockings and read the Christmas Story out of Luke. Once the kiddos excaped down to the basement den and set up their camping arrangements and started a movie, Audra and I began to bring out the presents and stuff the stockings.

Skiing with the Millers

Tuesday before Christmas we (me, Audra, Tyler and Katie) headed up to Breck to spend a day, skiing with the Miller family.

Audra and Drew

Keesey and Katie



Drew

The Miller bunch

New Job and New Car

About a week ago, I accepted SL's offer and will start the first of January as the Western Regional Sales Director.


My previous company provided a company car, but SL does not. We needed to pick up another car and choose this nice little ride.

Enjoying an evening of relaxation and decorating the tree.











Finished Aunt Jacque's Holiday Puzzle. The kids love to receive her puzzle every year.

Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving Holiday started off with a full day of skiing at Breckenridge on Wedensday. On Thursday, we were very traditional... sleeping in, late breakfast, Thanksgiving Feast at 2pm and then naps and football.

Audra was able to use her new place settings and flatware.

Audra disappointed no one. Everything was cooked from scratch. We enjoyed a smoked Turkey, Dressing and gravy....etc, etc... all the traditional Mathis and Lane fixins.

Lunch with Cassi in Boulder

A couple of months ago, I challenged Cassi to find a great Thai dive. She asked around and did her research and found, BimBamBoo.


On my way up to watch Tyler's Playoff Football Game, I stopped in Boulder to have lunch with Cassi. We feasted on Duck Taco's. They were awesome!!!

Opening Weekend at Breckenridge - Day #1 of Skiing this year!!!

Holding true to tradition, the Colorado Lane's started the 2009-2010 ski season, with opening weekend at Breckenridge. In the past, we always skied on Friday, where we could enjoy the Pancake Breakfast and the bands on the sound stage at the base. This year, Breck moved opening day to Thursday. I was in Utah and everyone else had to work or was in school. So, we adjusted and went up today, Sunday. It was a great move, as the new snow on Friday and Saturday made for great conditions... the best for any opening weekend yet.


Driving up to Breck from Frisco, we could see the runs calling our names!


It was a blast to have all six of of us together for a day of skiing.


Yep, Audra and I can still act like kids.


There was plenty of snow, but early in the season, the tops of the baby trees are still sticking up through the snow. The kids are about to peel off a lip.

Last Bike Ride of the Year with Audra....

This past weekend, we experienced some amazing weather. Weather nice enough for Audra and I to ride the bike up to 10k foot, Cripple Creek for a coffee. There was a lot of snow in places, but the air was fresh and crisp and it was great to high mountain O2.

This will probably be the last, 2-up ride of the year with winter falling on us hard.

Four Days in Chandler

After the first nine weeks of school, we arrived at our Fall Break. It was two weeks of Heaven, as Audra put it. During the break, I needed to do business in Chandler, so I grabbed Audra a ticket and brought her along. She laid by the pool and just enjoyed doing nothing, except for the Grad Courses she was working on.

It was beautiful weather in the 90's-100's. A very nice change from the early Colorado Winter that we are experiencing.

19 Degree Football

It was a chilly day, but the weather was not going to keep Audra and I from watching our baby boy from cracking heads. The second half, when the wind picked up, created a challenging stadium situation. By the way, we wore our ski gear and pack boots!!!









26-0 in the second quarter... yeah we routed them.

Tyler's New Ride....

The deal was officially done and we have a new bike to replace the XL600. Tyler is in Hog Heaven with a bike that has electric start and a cowling to break the wind. This is a much better highway bike, but can still get to most places in the high mountains.

Ren and Kate....Hanging with the Lane's

About a month ago, we put a plan together with Heidi to keep the kiddos, while she and Drew enjoyed a free night....or should I say, a late morning. Ren and Kate are great kids and really easy. They occupy themselves, sleep all night and fully understand the mechanics of a toilet....yep, my kind of children.

We had a great time with little ones in the house.

Of course we were heros, offering ice cream and toys and numerous DVD's...... Bribery is awesome!!!

And the kids were totally glued to the TV on Saturday morning with all the cartoons running.

2009 Colorado Leaf Tour, Day 2

Day two started off in the chill of the morning, where we had to scrape the frost off the motorcycle seat and bundle-up.

In the Redstone area, there were mines that provided the basics to Pueblo for steel production. These are the Coking Ovens.

A detour through Marble was a must. This box canyon is truly beautiful.

A beaver lodge in the middle of a high mountain pond.

McClure Pass.

This is the first of many pics of the scenery and the changing colors....


















Kebler Pass

Crested Butte


Taylor Reservoir was off in the background.

Cottonwood Pass and the fall colors that exist on Tundra above 12,000 feet.

Knight-Inler State Wildlife Area and also known as Badger Flats. Looking north toward Breckenridge.

Wilkerson Pass with Pikes Peak in the background.

Starbucks in Woodland Park, just before riding the final 30 minutes to the house.

The trip ended up totaling 565 miles over two days and we were treated to some amazing sights, colors and fragrances.