Where Did January Go?

January blew right by me this year!  I haven't been home much which may be the reason the month seems to have flown.  Mexico City was followed in quick succession by nine days in Madison with the grandsons while their parents celebrated the other grandparent's 40th wedding anniversary in Maui.  We got freezing rain, sleet, a bit of snow and lots of gray skies while they got blue skies, azure water, whale watching and sunset cocktails.  It was an even exchange I'd say.  I got little boy kisses every night and all the mac and cheese I could eat!

And they made "welcome home" cards for Mommy and Daddy!

Then there was a week and a half spent in Houston recovering from a nasty cold brought on by travel, exhaustion and a carrier husband.  The good news is that it rained many of those days which made me feel a lot like the weather and I had no FOMO on any golf games.

We NEVER have standing water in our back yard...that's a lot of rain!

While I was home I caught up with my other grandson, Logan, and his parents!  It was good to see them.  It is amazing how used to seeing each other we become and then a few weeks away seem like ages!  Logan is changing so fast I hate missing any of it!

The end of January is our annual ski trip to Park City.  We usually have friends and/or family joining us on our trip.  This year, due to schedule conflicts, the Super Bowl, life, and time conflicts none of our usual suspects could join us.  This meant that it was just the two of us!  When your husband works from home, time together is not at a minimum.  I was a bit concerned, I hate to admit, about how so much together time was going to work out.  You see, TJ is an 8:30-4 skier and I'm a 10-3 skier.  He is more aggressive than I am on the slopes so I just knew this was going to be either frustrating for him or very challenging for me.  Plus, all that time together!

We are still both smiling!

The ski gods smiled upon us and the snow conditions and weather were both perfect.  One day I chased TJ down the mountain all day, one day we both chased our friend down the mountain and the last day TJ chased me down the mountain so it worked out well for everyone.  Whenever we ran out of things to talk about we would just look at each other and say,  "What a gorgeous day!" and that was enough.  

A few reasons I love ski trips are.... you get to be outside all day in the fresh air, using muscles that don't get used every day, surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery God created, and at the end of the day there is absolutely no guilt over eating a good meal and going to bed early.  What was I even worried about?!  We also met up with some friends who live in the area which thankfully added  more to the "What a gorgeous day!" conversations.

Who needs conversation when you get to look at this all day?!

After four days and many hours on the mountain, every muscle in my legs, arms and back feel well used.  My face and lips are feeling just a bit wind or sun burned.  And thanks to the untimely death of my flat iron a day ago, my hair looks like I stuck my finger in an electric socket.  Braids and pony tails to the rescue!  I never go anywhere without taming my locks so the first stop when we get home is to buy a new flat iron before I see someone I know!

What is better than a mountain view?  A mountain view at sunset!  Bring on February!

It's nice to have friends in high places....literally!