The One of Memorial Day Weekend & more...

In May, we finally bought a grill! Our first grilling experience was RIBS! Yummy! After filling up, we played a game of darts and Stan the man ran the board...if you can't tell by the double bullseye.

May 15, Tracy and Frisco packed up the Suburban and headed back to VA. After a stop in Kansas & Ohio, we got to Tysons on the night of May 17. Tracy's cousin Valerie got married on Thursday, May 18 at The Atrium in Vienna. We got to see a lot of family we haven't seen in a while.

Friday, Tracy, Kelly, Tom & Mike went golfing at Pohick. Let's just say it wasn't Tracy's best day. Saturday we celebrated a belated Mother's Day and gave Gail a brand new hybrid bike to match Tom's, so now, the two can ride along together through the roads of Burke and the trails of Lake Gaston. The rest of the day was spent at the playground watching Lily run around.

The rest of the week consisted of Stan working and Tracy visiting with friends. Monday Tracy & Frisco went to visit Tracy's college friend, Kris, her 2 year old daughter Emilia & her dog (& Frisco's friend), Ally, in Gaithersburg. Kris is pregnant with twin girls...due in September. Congrats Kris! Tuesday was a visit to Tracy & Stan's Falls Church house...not only to check in on the house and get the updates on the neighborhood, but to collect some much needed items from the storage/garage. Wednesday was lunch with Jessica in Tysons to discuss the upcoming Nascar Coca Cola 600 Race in Charlotte. Thursday Tracy met her friend Bryan at Cantina Marina and then they headed to the Nationals baseball game at RFK Stadium. Afterwards, Tracy met up with Dayna, Dianna & Carrie at Bardo in Arlington. Stan met up with us after work. Friday we met for an early breakfast with Chrissy & her boyfriend Andrew, who were in town from Austraila in the midst of their move to Germany.

Memorial Day weekend was our annual trip to Charlotte for the Nascar Coca Cola 600 Race. We arrived Friday night and met up with the rest of the group. Saturday was a day of tailgating before the Busch Race. Sunday was another day of tailgating before the Nextel Cup race. A great weekend, with great weather, great food and great company.

Stan showing off our new grill.

First grill experience.

Nice shot Stan!

Uncle Mike & Tom getting ready to tee off...

Kel showing off her form...

The One of the Not So Exciting Week

Tracy & Frisco got back to Dillon on Tuesday and basically unpacked the car and relaxed. Tracy met up with Erika, a fellow VT grad who now lives in Breckenridge, at Rita's in Breck to celebrate Cinco De Mayo (that's May 5th for all you Gringos out there). Stan met up with us later at Burke & Riley's Irish Pub after driving into town in his Toyota Camry rental car. He is trying out the rental car situation this Spring. We'll see which one he favors more...shuttle service or rental car...yet to be determined.

Saturday, after a morning of mending our fences...we met Mark, Colin, Jeff, Sarah and David (some of Mark's friends from Denver) at Loveland Ski Resort, located right off Route 70. We had never been there and were pleasantly surprised by the snow conditions, the view and the terrain. After shredding Loveland, we headed back to the house, finished mending the fence and took part in some major foodapoo (that would be fooseball, darts & pool) competion.

Sunday was a day of chores and errands. The weather was on and off, sun and rain, so we went by Sears and bought a money grill, ate lunch at Carlos Miguels Mexican Fine Dining in Frisco, then took a trip to Home Depot in Vail, then back home to hang our Master Bedroom mirror (finally) and update the storage room. The evening consisted of more foodapoo and then a relaxing night in front of the TV watching the movie "The Life of David Gale."

Monday was complete rain, so we drove around Summit running more errands, lunch at Butterhorn Bakery in Frisco, yummy. 3:30 Stan departed in his Camry for the airport, while teary eyed Tracy & Frisco waved goodbye.

Like I said...a not so exciting week here in Dillon.

We would like to send Happy Birthday wishes out to Tracy's mom (May 7th) & sister, Marcy (May 8th).

Here are a few pix of our Master Bedroom's new look!! That's about all the pix we took this week...

This is what the weather has been like...really sunny for 30 min...then it changes to this...strange. This is around 3:00 p.m.

Frisco hanging out on the deck watching the clouds come and go...

New duvet cover purchased with bday $$. Smokey & Snuff LOVE it.

Updated picture of the Family Room with the Fooseball table (Stan's bday gift).

Updated picture of Tracy's wrist. The scar is healing nicely. The bone has completely healed and I have almost full mobility back.

The One of Tracy's Bday Weekend @ the Grand Canyon

Tracy & Frisco left on Thursday to drive to Las Vegas. The plan...to pick up Stan and head to Lake Mead & the Grand Canyon for Tracy's birthday weekend. Yes, Tracy is one year older...31!
Tracy & Frisco stopped at Rifle Gap State Park in Rifle, Colorado for a quick pit stop. Thursday night we stayed in Green River, Utah at the Holiday Day Inn Express. The hotel was filled with dirt bike riders. Friday was another beautiful day. On the way to Vegas, we took a detour through Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. At 7:00 p.m. Nevada time, Tracy & Frisco picked Stan up at the Las Vegas airport and we all headed to Lake Mead. We camped at Boulder Beach Campground in Lake Mead National Park Friday Night. We were able to sleep even though a neighbor felt the need to yell at his yapping dog all night, "ROCKY, NO. NO ROCKY, NO." I think Rocky thought he was telling him to keep barking. Always fun!!

Saturday morning we awoke early, ate a nice camping breakfast of banana oatmeal bread & propel, then drove to Lake Mead Marina and rented a fishing boat for the day. The 3 of us boated all over the West part of Lake Mead...over to the Hoover Dam, a couple stops on shore to let Frisco swim around & for our gourmet lunch of PB&J (minus the J for Tracy) sandwiches for lunch. It was absolutely beautiful out...sunny and warm!! The water was 60, not too cold for Stan to dive in. Tracy only made it in enough to use the latrine.

That afternoon we took a longer than thought, drive to the Grand Canyon, but we made it in time to put the tent up in daylight at the Mather Campground at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. After walking to the Canyon for the sunset, Stan grilled salmon & chicken and warmed up some baked beans for Tracy's bday dinner. Afterwards, we celebrated with Little Debbie chocolate cupcakes around the campfire. Yummy!!

Camping was a little chilly that night, but we made it through with our warm socks and stocking hats. Sunday morning we hiked along the South Rim Trail. It was really warm out and Frisco was a definite trooper.

We left the Grand Canyon Sunday afternoon & spent that night at the Best Western in Kingman...off the famous Route 66. Basically, an area for bikers...they were everywhere!! We enjoyed a nice dinnner at the local Chili's (not much to choose from).

Monday we drove back to Las Vegas, by way of North Lake Mead, lunch at Echo Bay and a quick drive through the Valley of Fire State Park. After dropping Stan off at the airport, Tracy & Frisco started their trip back to Dillon...stopping again at the Green River, Utah Holiday Inn Express for the night.

All and all a fantastic way to celebrate a 31st birthday!!

Enjoy the pix...

A scenic picture at the Valley of Fire State Park. Lots of Red Rocks. AND they were filming a movie scene from the upcoming movie "Redline" while I was there on Friday.

Tracy & Stan with the Hoover Dam in the background.

The Ward's in front of their fishing boat at Lake Mead.

"This Canyon isn't THAT Grand, or is it? Hmmmmm..."

"Can someone lend me a hand?!!"

Sunset at the Grand Canyon.

Notice the Haze...that's from pollution. Give a Hoot...Don't Pollute.

Stan & Frisco take a short break while hiking the South Rim. Although Frisco would have much rather passed out, she kept on keeping on!!

"I squish the tower...the tower is squished."

"Look, the tower came unsquished...amazing!!"

The One of Blair's Wedding & Tracy's Dad's 60th

After all the visitors, Tracy headed back to VA for Stan's cousin's wedding. Congratulations Blair & Chad, who got married on April 8, 2006 in Lexington, VA at Washington & Lee, where both of them attended college. Tracy & Stan's Brother-in-Law, David Wever, performed the ceremony (he also performed Stan & Tracy's ceremony).

Enjoy the pix...I need to figure out how to upload videos...

Dave performing the wedding ceremony.

Ashlynne the flower girl.

The following weekend, April 14th, Tracy's dad turned 60. The big SIX OH!! Tracy & Kelly flew in for the event and met up with everyone at the Lakehouse. Dad's big present was a mountain bike. It was a beautiful weekend...lots of sun on Saturday, Stan & Kelly even went wakeboarding...wearing wetsuits of course. Brrr... Unfortunately we were very slack with the camera and did not take any pictures. Sorry.

The One Where the Schmirers & Horton Visit

We had more visitors in March!!! The Schmirers came to visit for a week.

Ty and Annika showed up on Saturday, March 24th. Lois was still in town. We all headed to Beaver Creek on Sunday to meet up with Ty's cousin John and his wife Logan. Monday, Tracy dropped Stan & Lois off at the airport and picked up Jane & Joe, while Ty & Annika skiied Copper Mountain. Monday night was a night of feasting at the Dillon Dam Brewery. Tuesday we all shredded Breckenridge. It was a beautiful, sunny, perfect day!!! Wednesday, while Annika got a massage, Tracy, Joe & Ty hit Keystone Resort. We all met at Kickapoo after a day on the slopes for Apres Ski. Thursday we went to Vail in a snowstorm... Joe skiied with Ty in the morning and Tracy took over as Ty's wingwoman in the afternoon. We shrowed the pow!!! There was so much fresh snow. Friday we all skiied ABasin, Jane's favorite mountain. Friday night Stan and fellow Hokie, Andy Horton got into town.

Saturday the boys and Tracy skiied Keystone in the morning before the Schmirers had to leave for the airport. After lunch at Kickapoo and a soak in the hot tub, we had a "surprise" party at the house. A couple other Hokies were in town...Jeff Sabin and some of his friends were in town for the weekend & we found out Ericka had just moved to Breckenridge from Steamboat Springs. Our friend Mark came over and we spent the night playing pool, darts and foosball.

We woke up the next morning and headed to Vail. It had snowed 5 inches and was beautiful out. We headed to the back bowls and shredded the day away. We took it easy that night. Monday we went to Breckenridge, Rasta Pasta (yummy!!) for lunch and then we were off to the airport.

Thanks to the Schmirers and Horton for coming out to visit. We love visitors.

Enjoy the pix...

Stan, Tracy, John, Logan, Ty & Annika at Beaver Creek...

Tracy & Joe at the top of the highest lift in the world, Imperial Express, at Breckenridge.

Joe, Tracy, Ty, Annika & Jane enjoying Apres Ski at Kickapoo at Keystone.

Stan & Horton at Apres Ski Lunch at Keystone!!

The One Where Stan's Family Visits

We had visitors!!! Stan's family came out to see us...Lois, Lisa, Dave, Ashlynne & Morganne arrived on St. Patty's Day. Tracy picked up the Wever's in Buena Vista, about an hour and a half South of Dillon. Lois flew in that night and got to experience Stan's weekly ride home on the Colorado Mountain Express shuttle.

Saturday afternoon we headed to Keystone. While Lois & Morganne sat in the warm & toasty lodge, the rest of us hit the slopes. This was Ashlynne's first year ever skiing...she did fantastic. Lisa did great too.

Sunday we took a quick walk in cool and windy weather to the playground by the lake. Afterwards we went to The Boatyard in Frisco for lunch after a scenic drive around Summit.

Sunday evening we had to drive the Wever's to the Denver aiport for the redeye back home. Unfortunately weather was not working in our favor. There was a major snow storm in the foothills (in between Summit County and Denver). I-70 East was a "yard sale"...with semis and cars stuck all over the road. Luckily the Suburban is big and tough and made it through. The Wevers did end up making it back to Virginia safely. We made it back to Dillon safely too.

Lois is here for the week...here to keep Tracy company! Looking forward to Stan coming home a day early to hang out with us too.

Lois with her kids on the gondola at Keystone.

Dave, Ashlynne and Stan enjoying a ride on the chairlift.

Dave and Ashlynne on the covered magic carpet.

"Got my hands in my pocket, I'm ready for the cold."

The One of Stan the Birthday Boy

We spent Stan's Birthday weekend (33 years old on March 4th) at Steamboat Springs, about 1 1/2 hours north of Dillon. A total of 7 people, Me & Stan, Mark, Phillip, Bryan, Bryce and Kristi, and 3 dogs, stayed in an authentic log cabin at a local performing arts camp, "Perry Mansfield."

We arrived late Friday night and after dinner in town, we partied into the morning...celebrating Stan's b-day of course.

Saturday half the group went snowboarding, while the other half went to the Natural Hot Springs. The group that went snowboarding (Stan, Mark, Bryan & Bryce), went on 1 run that lasted more than a couple hours. After taking the lift to the top, they decided to duck the "out of bounds" rope and ended up getting completely lost. After lots and lots of hiking up, down and around the mountain, Bryce digging himself out of a tree hole, and left turn, after left turn, they finally made it back in bounds and to the bottom of the mountain. The Hot Springs group met up with them at the mountain to enjoy apres-ski. Another well needed trip to the Hot Springs that night with the snowboarders/hikers, followed by dinner and 90's trivial pursuit questions.

Sunday the whole group went snowboarding (with exception of the injured Tracy) and then headed for home. Got home just in time for Burger Night at Arapahoe Cafe...

All in all, a very fun weekend!! Thanks Mark!

The group in front of the house...(clockwise from Stan) Stan, Bryce, Phillip, Bryan, Tracy, Frisco, Kristi, Mark.

The 3 bedroom Colombine cabin we stayed in at Perry Mansfield Performing Arts Camp.

A little fuzzy, but our friend Mark as the 3-man...hat compliments of Stan!!

The One When We Went Home

Tracy went home for a couple days in February to visit and most important to settle on Craig & Jessica's house.

Tuesday we spent the evening at Tracy's parents. Marcy and Lily came over to visit too. Wednesday, while Stan was "bringing home the bacon" Tracy went to lunch with Dyani. Thursday was Craig & Jessica's settlement in the morning...Congrats!!!, then a late lunch with Jim & Dayna to catch up on the latest real estate gossip. Friday was a day of shopping with Gail, Marcy & Lily.

We flew back home together Friday night. Stan got to get some snowboarding in over the weekend...Keystone and Breck. A little slushy, since there hasn't been much snow lately. We also took Frisco hiking off the Dam Rd.

Lil' playing with Grandma's weeble wobbles.

Stan & Frisco hiking through the deep snow...

The Ward family...too bad the view isn't so great.

The One Where Tracy Broke Her Wrist

February 1st was a sad day for Tracy.

After snowboarding at Copper in the morning, I headed to Keystone to meet up with a friend, Eric. After a fantastic day of boarding, we decided to hit the terrain park on the last run down.

Unfortunately, I went over the first jump on the back rim of my board...ended up landing in sitting position, sitting slightly on my right hand/wrist. After boarding down the mountain and pulling off my glove, we realized there was something majorly wrong.

I drove to the hospital in Frisco and found out I had a fractured right distal radius.

The fracture is on the right side, the long bone on the bottom...the fracture is the black squiggly line.

Pre-Surgery, soft cast covering a splint...

Surgery was on February 8th. Stan came home for the week to take care of me. The process began with knocking me out, numbing my entire right arm with a shot in the pit and then inserting a permanent titanium T plate and 9 screws. I went home that night with a numb arm and lots of drugs. The next 2 days were rough...lots of pain.

The plate...

Like the screws?

Post-Surgery with a soft cast. Thanks Andrew for the glasses!!

A week later, Terri Butz, Andra and her new baby girl, Aly came to visit. We went to lunch in Frisco and then they took me to my week after surgery appointment. Thanks guys. The Doc took the soft cast off, and gave me a removable wrist brace that kind of looks like something you'd wear bowling.

No stiches..."super-glued" and "taped" together...

So, I'm out for 6-8 weeks. No snowboarding, lifiting or carrying things. A week after surgery I could already move my wrist back and forth a little, and in small circles. Hope healing is quick. Thank you everyone for your gifts, thoughts and prayers.

The One at Mile High

Thanks to a very good friend, we got to go to the AFC Championship game on January 22, 2006, at Invesco Field. Steelers vs Broncos. Our first real venture into Denver. The tickets were absolutely amazing, 47 yard line, 2nd row, behind the Broncos bench. Stan is a Steelers fan, so it was a fantastic game. Good times...

Tracy arrives at Invesco field.

Stan showing off our great seats.

The Bus looking our way.

Mountain Man Plummer.

The One of Ullr Fest

The week of January 6-13 was Ullr Festival in Breckenridge. Not knowing exactly what that meant, it was an excuse to get out of the house.

In Norse mythology, Ullr (pronounced Oool-er) was the winter god. Ullr loved the cold, and would travel the country on his skis and skates. Each winter he covered the earth with snow to protect it from harm during the winter. On one of Ullr's many travels, he found himself in Breckenridge and decided it was a good place to settle down. To repay Ullr for his gift of snow, Breckenridge holds a week long Festival to honor the God of Winter.

Tracy and friend, Mark headed out on Thursday night to meet up with some Ullr Fest veterans. Though we had missed the crazy parade earlier that afternoon, there were plenty of people dressed in Norse garb, including large horned hats...mostly homemade. Definitely an interesting time. We also got to see the Goo Goo Dolls play in an outdoor concert while the snow fell.

Stan got into town Friday and Satuday we met up with Andrew Strauss and his girlfriend Kim at Beaver Creek. On the way home, we decided to stop off at Vail for the Honda Sessions Slope Style Contest...which included Shaun White. After a major detour, where we came across the random, but cool looking bridge below, we finally made our way to Vail.

The random bridge...

Stan?

Stan and Frisco hanging out in the front yard.

Oh Boobidy Boo...