Christmas with Auntie and Uncles

The McGuinness gang gathered at our place in Steamboat to celebrate Christmas and to meet Audrey, most for the first time.  Uncle Alex drove from L.A. to Durango, where he picked up Uncle Dan for the last leg, Aunt Mary and Uncle Dan flew to CO from VA, and Grandma & Grandpa walked over from the rental 75 yards away.  Audrey enjoyed the family time and can't wait to see the far-flung auntie and uncles again soon.

The McGuinness gang

Uncle Alex

Game playing and silliness, common McGuinness activities

Gingerbread decorating, another McGuinness tradition

Clean baby, fresh out of the bath and into her new shark towel

Aunt Mary

Uncle Dan

Uncle Dan, encouraging cognitive development

Christmas Dinner, lobster tails

A couple of Audrey's Christmas pressies.

Thank you to everyone who has sent gifts, food, and love our way over the past months.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

XC Skiing

Audrey went out on her very first cross country ski expedition with mama, Grandma, & Grandpa.  We went to the Home Ranch in North Routt County, where we skied a couple trails, ate an amazingly delicious lunch, and shared fond memories of the summer that my dear cousin Meghan worked there shoveling hay (or something like that).

Some of the many horses (200 or so?) that live at the ranch



Good form Grandma!

My sweet little bundle




Gearing up to go back out after lunch

 

Heading out to the Lodwick Loop (named for one of the local Olympians)
with Hahns Peak in the background



 

Some great views out here



View of the Zirkels



Round Mountain (?) in the back ground



Thanksgiving trip to Denver

Audrey took her first trip out of the valley over Thanksgiving weekend.  We successfully made the three hour drive to Denver, in three hours, and joined up with Chris's side of the family.  Audrey was stoked to meet so many relatives, mostly because she was held almost constantly for three days straight. 

Everyone was eager to capture the weekend's events on film (or digi rather), hence the many pictures below



Turkey dinner



Some of the Sibs



All the Rundall Cousins were gathered together for a photo, we have Oliver 8 years old, Noah 3 1/2 yo, Nolan, almost 2 yo, Lucy 5 mo, and Audrey, 6 weeks. 


The winning shot out of the twenty or so taken



The willful Nolan did not want to be photographed



Photogenic Oliver has always known exactly what to do in front of the camera


We spent some time hanging out in the lobby at the Sheraton downtown.

view from our room

Audrey with her friend, Mr Bear

We met up with our buddies Meghan and Peter, at their place in the Denver suburbs.

While we were hanging out at Chris's sister Lisa's house, Chris asked Noah to watch Audrey while he went out to play in the yard.  Noah took this responsibility very seriously and literally pulled up a stool to watch Audrey while she slept in her car seat.  When Audrey woke up Noah turned around wide-eyed and looked to the mom, aunts and grandmother that were in the living room with him.  We teased him a little bit about what he ought to do now, maybe change her diaper, maybe get her a bottle, he was bordering on terror so we suggested something more within his capabilites, he followed the suggestion and went outside to tell Chris that Audrey was awake.  Chris said later Noah was close to tears when he gave his report, the weight of responsibility bearing down on him.

Noah, the best babysitter/ninja mentor that Audrey has ever had.

Aunt Gigi

  

Gammy with the Rundalls of Houston: Brian, Ashley & Lucy



Lucy and Audrey in their closest encounter bc poor Lucy had a bad cough



  

Uncle Doug doing his puppy dog eyes pose

One last meal at Sloans before folks head off in their separate directions

Saying goodbye

Ski Season Conditioning

Audrey woke up stoked for the upcoming winter and ensuing snow frolicking. She told me straight up

"Dad i'm going to train and get my body in peak condition cause I'm gonna ski my tuckus off." I said "right-on little squirt monkey."

A minute later I peaked into the living room expecting to see Audrey wailing on her pecks with some pushups or something.  But she had settled in for a nap on Gammy's lap.  I guess she didn't intend to start her training until feeling fulling rested.  Very practical approach. 

After catching some zzz's Audrey knew what she needed.  You can't train until you snarf down a grilled cheese and O'douls.  C'mon.

I think the lunch time brewski hit little Audrey hard.  She demanded another nap, but first a story.

 Later that afternoon we finally made it out for some action. We took in the view of the partially frozen Fish Creek Falls.  All Audrey wanted to talk about was her excitement for the snow and skiing.  I called her out on the fact that she has never even skiied or seen snow before.  But she gave me a look that said "what the h-e-double hockey sticks are you talking about" and proceeded to point out some gnarly lines up Fish Creek Canyon that she would be tackling this winter.

Audrey testing out her pink courdoroy snow suit & Daddy's skis

Nokhu Hut excursion from years past