New Years Trip to Vermont

For the past couple New Years holiday we've been fortunate to be able to rent a cabin from a co-worker up in Ludlow Vermont near Okemo ski mountain.  We typically invite a couple friends and this time were joined by Timm and Rachel, Colin and Kathleen, Joe and Viola and Tony.  We had a really great time as always.

The Cabin

The side entrance

The first day we were up with Viola and Joe.  Several of us were feeling a little under the weather so we started out a little slow.  We spent the 1st morning playing games - we enjoyed a new one, National Geographic game.

In the afternoon we took a hike near Echo Lake to get out and enjoy the fresh air.

Viola and Joe on the trail

Overlook group shot

Echo Lake

Joe doing a little work art homage to his lady

That evening we were joined by the Smiths and Colin and Kathleen.  The next day we hit the slopes.  We headed to Killington for the first time and enjoyed unseasonably warm temps.

Jeanette on the gondola ride

Jeanette on the slopes

 Timm showing some fancy moves

Colin getting some big air

The crew eating lunch empanadas

 

After we finished skiing we returned back to the cabin to celebrate the great day and New Years eve. Rachel made an awesome lasagna dinner and the evening was spent eating and drinking in the new year.

The following day we headed up to Lyme, NH to an area known as Holt's Ledge to do a little ice climbing.  We had a large group so we set up a moderate route called Jaws and everyone ran a couple laps on the nice soft ice due to the warmer weather.

The crew getting ready

Me leading Jaws 

Jeanette on the route

Colin the electric yellow climber 

Viola on her first ice climb 

Tony getting ready to go

Kathleen on her first climb 

We went back to the cabin for one more evening of relaxation before heading home and returning to work.  Joe and Viola prepared build your own pizzas and everyone ate like champs.  It was a great holiday spent with great friends.

Christmas

Christmas 2010 was great for Jeanette and I.  We got to spend a good bit of time with family.  On Christmas eve Sean, Kaylyn and Nicholas came into town.  We spent the evening at the Mitchell's with the traditional roast beef meal and opened presents with the family.  

Marion preparing the meal

Mitch getting ready to get down to business

Ellie taking care of Nicholas

The Landes family

Me and Jeanette

The Mitchell "Kids"

Kaylyn and Jeanette

Ellie doing a little Christmas Dancing

Ellie getting her princess vanity...

...and quickly getting to business on her hair

and Uncle Sean's

and Uncle Dave's 

Tom resting after all the commotion

The following morning we went to visit my parents for Christmas breakfast and to exchange gifts.  

Mom opening a photo from Joey and Kaylan

Jeanette opening her soothing sound machine from mom and dad

Pops opening my gag gift, a birdfeeder made out of my old awards 

Me opening the manual to my new lawn mower! 

More sleeping, opening gifts is exhausting

First Ice Climbing Trip

Yesterday I headed up to the Narrows in Kitnersville to get a first taste of ice climbing for the season.  This winter has been extremely cold so far and conditions were excellent for December.  I went with Chris and Colin, their second and first times ice climbing respectively.  We had a great time up in the Main Gully.  

Packing up the night before

Early morning start

Gearing up at the site

Chris coming up the 1st pitch

Chris giving Colin a belay 

Colin coming up to join us 

Me on the upper headwall 

View of the river  

Rapping out