ski weekend & Happy New Year!

For the weekend between Christmas and New Years we met the Etheridge family in Park City, Utah for a ski vacation. It was so fun for Sam to ski with the cousins and so wonderful just to spend time with the whole family. Hamp got some good couch time with Dado watching football and everyone enjoyed the hot tub, the scenery, and the snow!

Sam & cousins at Deer Valley

Sam & cousins at Park City

The super six skiers!

The whole family on New Years Eve

unsuccessful backflip

The day after Christmas, Hamp went skiing with a couple of friends.... nothing out of the ordinary.

On one of the popular jumps on the mountain, Hamp tried to pull of a backflip.... also not out of the ordinary.

However, this time he didn't quite land it and ended up knocking himself out pretty good. Enough that his friends called ski patrol to haul him out and an ambulance took him to the ER for evaluation!

I received the following photo from Hamp with the text: "I'm ok don't freak out"

And somehow, I didn't freak out. Might have been the selfie face in the aforementioned picture that let me know Hamp was alright! And when I saw him, I knew he would be ok... albeit a little (a lot?!) sore.

A CT scan showed fractures in his upper back and neck, and a strained cervical ligament... but no misalignment of the spine and no damage to anything major. And because he could walk and talk, the ER sent him home with a neck brace to keep him still for a few weeks!

The real bummer was that his ski season has abruptly ended... but the silver lining is that this has been the reality check this almost 21-year-old needed to keep his skiing a little less risky. And of course, every one of us is grateful that his injuries weren't worse - because they most certainly could have been. We're also grateful for the friends that stayed with him and checked up on him while he was evaluated... that kind of friendship and compassion is extraordinary!

The stockings were hung...

OK, so we don't have a chimney to hang the stockings, but we they were filled with care... even Penny's!

We're off for a ski weekend with the Etheridge family ~ see you all in 2025!

Thanksgiving with family

Hamp & Sam and I travelled to Mississippi to see our Hightower family for Thanksgiving!

quote of the day from Hamp: "I'm almost 21 years old and I still have to sit at the kids table."

We did manage to have formal family photographs taken... which I am excited to see and share! But the candid shots are the best because they represent all the laughter, the bonding, the games, and the food that we enjoyed together:

All 6 cousins spent most of the time outside (because why not?!) playing volleyball, football, soccer, spikeball... or chase the puppy!

"the girls"

"the middle crew"

"the big boys"

and of course, the newest addition to the family... sweet and shy little Panda.

one year with Lucky Penny

*** dog appreciation post ***

Penny  has been with us for a year now... and she has become the very best companion!

She travels incredibly well and is simply happy to be included in whatever activity we are doing. She is great to hang out at the Brewery with us, is always up for a walk, loves her "babies" (stuffed animals) and treats, and most of all she is truly dedicated to her people. My favorite part is that she has been a great motivator for me to take her on some fun hikes all over the state:

South Fork Trail in Meeker

Crystal Mill Trail in Marble

Winter doggo in Meeker!

Devil's Causeway - Sam's sunrise hiking partner!

Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride

Flatirons Trail in Boulder

I am so happy that she came into our lives - I think we are all better for having her with us.

I'm also just so glad that we can give her a happy home and love and attention (and treats!)

Senior Homecoming

Sam's homecoming week was everything he wanted it to be... fun, spirited, and successful!

As student body president, he was ultimately in charge of much of the organization of the week, including arranging and emceeing an all district pep rally! So when everything went smoothly - including the Seniors winning Powder Puff, Peach Fuzz, Parade, and Spirit week (!) he was particularly pleased. It helped that he got to share in the fun with all his favorite people, and get all dressed up to take his girlfriend to the Homecoming dance.

one more round...

... of Varsity golf as a MHS Senior player!

Sam finished strong this year with a fun final golf season - including more beautiful courses around the state, a great team to practice, travel, and play with, and several really good rounds of tournament play!

He tried something new his freshman year, stuck with it throughout high school, struggled with missing class to attend tournaments but made it through with not only flying colors in the classroom but also great memories on the course. I am so proud of his dedication to being a good team member and his tenacity with trying to improve at the sport. Between the great coaching and the best of friends, I know his time spent on the course will always be a positive influence in his life.