Golden Anniversary

We just couldn't let 50 years of marriage pass without some recognition...

and it turned out to be the perfect excuse to all get together for a weekend and have a great time!

We decided to go all out:

Meeting up in Las Vegas, we got decked out in gold sequins, rented a hot pink limo to take all 10 of us to the Graceland Wedding Chapel where Elvis himself serenaded Mojo & Dado through a vow renewal ceremony! After wiping away sentimental tears of mostly laughter, we moved on to the Bellagio for a celebratory dinner overlooking the fountains.

I am grateful to be able to celebrate my parents' 50th wedding anniversary and realize that it is a rare occasion for most.

When asked (by Elvis!) what the secret to a long and happy marriage is, Dado said:

"don't marry someone you can live with.... marry someone you can't live without"

#somuchtosmileabout

It's no secret that Sunlight Mountain is our favorite... from the time the boys could walk they were skiing here and every winter we make great memories with so many friends both on the mountain and on the deck for après ski!

This winter has been no different - and I think the boys skied harder and had more fun than ever! Hamp had a tendency to ski so hard he broke not one, not two, but three pair of skis. Yet somehow, it never slowed him down.

Then Sam got super excited about making a short video of his mountain adventures with his best bud Finley for the 3rd annual Cory Bauer Memorial Amateur Film Competition and I am so excited about his submission (see below!)

And here is the 2nd place award winning BroSKIS video! 🥈🌟

Hamp's Christmas Gift

For Christmas last year, Hamp didn't ask for anything.

So I sent him to New York City!

Hamp has been friends with Mason & Ruby for... well... almost all his life. So when Mason went off to college at Barnard last fall, Hamp and Ruby vowed to go visit. And thanks to Santa Claus and Southwest airlines, last weekend these three amigos were galivanting all over NYC: thrifting in Greenwich Village, posing in Times Square, strolling through Central Park, and admiring the skyline from Brooklyn. Oh, and what's a trip to New York without catching a show on Broadway? I was thrilled that Hamp got to see Book of Mormon and came home with the soundtrack downloaded on his phone because he enjoyed it so much!

Hamp is no stranger to the city... I am grateful that our adventures took us to NYC for visits in 2016 and again very briefly in 2018.

So I was curious how he would enjoy the city as a young adult with just his friends to tour with. Turns out, not only did he have a great time but he enjoyed all the culinary offering of the being in the city - and sent me lots of photos of what he was eating!

But then again... with dinner dates like these ladies, I'd enjoy my meal too!

Sam's Christmas Gift

For Christmas last year, all Sam asked Santa for was a ski day on a big mountain!

(not that we don't love Sunlight, but it's always fun to get out and discover new places)

So last weekend I took Sam and his favorite ski buddy to Copper Mountain and we had the very best day! Even though the temp was only 8° when we pulled into the parking lot, we had a sunny, blue-sky day and skied hard enough to stay warm. Copper has amazing views, awesome back bowls to drop in to, great terrain overall and was just easy to get to and enjoy. My favorite part was seeing how ready the boys were to explore the mountain... and their favorite part might have been the Woodward terrain park. (Considering the Winter Olympics started the same weekend, they might have been inspired to go a little faster and jump a little higher!) They were SO fun to watch and I think Sam really felt like the whole day was a gift.

15 years old

I enjoyed celebrating sweet Sam this year... 

we played hooky from school/work for the afternoon and went out of town where he got a haircut, a new shirt, and a driver's permit! (and in lieu of a birthday cake, he got a cake pop from Starbucks!)

He is so excited to hit the driving milestone - and got right behind the wheel zipping through the round-a-bouts and hopping onto the interstate like it was no big deal! I am so proud of his confidence and readiness to meet life's next steps with enthusiasm... and happy that now I can sit back and enjoy watching the beautiful sunsets while he keeps his eyes on the road!

18 years old

 This guy...

In typical form, Hamp glided into adulthood yesterday with a nonchalance that makes you wonder if he's even paying attention...      then he says things that make you realize he definitely IS!

He was excited for his birthday because he wanted wings for lunch and chocolate cake for dinner. He counted every birthday wish he received - he was up to 20 before breakfast! He seemed genuinely touched by his grandparents' thoughtful cards and gifts and was grateful for it all. Meanwhile, I remain ever grateful that I get to watch him grow up.

weekend visitor!

 For Christmas this year, Cousin Graham got plane tickets to come visit Hamp and learn to ski!

And even though it technically wasn't a gift for Hamp, it was the one thing he loved the most about this Christmas: having his cousin come to visit.

Graham got a couple of days on the mountain with Hamp - and he did great but apparently he prefers his summer activities in Mississippi! (in his defense... it was very cold the weekend he was in town!)

It was a pleasure having him stay with us and so fun to watch these two, who have been friends by default, but for real, since birth. Love watching these two Hightower boys grow up together... even though they're miles apart!