Fire and Ice

Dad went to Denver on a business trip so Mom decided to get ambitious and take both kids to the Gunnison Nordic Club bonfire. We rented cross country skis for Mom and Hazel, fed the kids dinner and bundled everyone up. Things did not start well, but ended better. To be fair, there was minimal skiing and maximum cookie eating.

(these images were not taken by a Barker and were stoled from the Gunnison Nordic Club. Mom's hands were slightly full.)

Skiing and ice skating

Sorry to disappoint. No pictures of Tygh in this post. Just insanely cute pictures of his big sister.

Hazel skis 2-3 times per week. She has made amazing progress in her weekly lesson program at Crested Butte and she loves showing off her new skills to Mom (it also means one-on-one time with Mom with no pesky baby around).

What a charmed life this 4-year-old leads. This is her view while skiing.

Hazel has really taken to ice skating, through no influence of her parents. Next year, she will get her own pair of pink skates for sure.

Lake City Good Times

One of the problems with living in such an awesome place is that we haven't adventured very far afield this winter. On Saturday, we took off to Lake City, 55 miles away, to explore their town ski hill and to see what we could see.

The Lake City Ski Hill has all of 242 feet of vert and is serviced by a single poma lift. It. Is. Awesome.

We had some moments of full-blown 4-year-old tantrum when we realized that we had left Hazel's ski pants at home. A kind local offered us 3(!) pairs of pants that she could borrow, but alas, they were all black. Cue second tantrum. Because, you know. They weren't pink. Hazel finally just skied in her long underwear.

There are no tantrums happening in this picture.

Tygh has already been skiing this season, on the magic carpet at Crested Butte. He got to experience his first poma lift in Lake City.

Lake City is an old mining town surrounded by peaks over 14,000 feet. It's a pretty special place and it was a gorgeous warm day.

Tygh had his first ride on a swing. He liked it and liked it and liked it and liked it...he didn't want to get off.

Mom and Dad hired Hazel to babysit and went to the bar.

Boy conversation.

Checking out the ice climbing park in town.

December and January PHOTO DUMP

I have been horribly negligent about keeping the kids' blog up. UGH. Here's a renaissance of sorts.

The fun times continue in the Barker household (only because we haven't shown you any pictures of the tantrums and the whining).

Here, Hazel demonstrates to Tygh the proper way to sit in the Bumbo. Yes, our 4-year-old still fits in the Bumbo. Should we be worried?

Then, she lets Tygh have a go. He is less than amused. He's a skinny minny and has a hard time fitting.

Hazel and Dad love to go sledding and since the hill is only 5 minutes from our house, we have a lot of opportunities to work on sled racing.

On New Year's Eve, Hazel had her second haircut EVER. True story. This kid has no hair.

Tygh mostly hung out at the Noon Year's Eve concert at Crested Butte. He worked on his stationary dance moves.

Hazel, on the other hand, LOVES to show off her dance moves.

It was cold waiting for the torchlight parade and fireworks, but definitely worth it.

Tygh was ready to go to bed by the time it was all over.

As if Hazel didn't have enough ski days under her belt already (30 or 40 between the ages of 2 and 3), she has stepped it up a notch this year. Lessons have given her a level a confidence we have never seen before and made her in to a brave skier. Her ski instructor told Mom and Dad that she's the fastest skier in the class. WHA?!? This is not the Hazel we have known! (her new 100cm skis may be slightly helpful).

The ice skating pond is across the street from our house and we try to make it over there when we have the time. Hazel has requested pink ice skates. Surprise, surprise.

Mom went to Arizona for five days to ride her bike. Mr. T was sooooo happy when she came home.

Hey! Look how (not) big I am! Once again, we have bred a 10% baby. Yes, he still wears 3 mo. clothes. What of it?

Hazel wanted to play school with Mom as the teacher. The students were exactly like middle school students.