Dog Days of, uh…Winter

Coming in from the cold for lunch

Kota's paw

Kota dog takes time to pose with the Westside TeNgaio's

Our kids with the Reymann's kids

Matt R. skijoring across the finish line. Great soundtrack to finish by, eh?

Today we headed north to the great tundra of Ashton to check out the Annual Dog Derby Race. We've never been to it before and thought the kids might like it. How can you go wrong with so many dogs everywhere?

Out friends Matt and Mindy Reymann have been involved with the dog sled race for a few years now. They proposed and got a skijoring race to be included with the other dog races last year. Skijoring involves skiing behind a single or number of dogs and looks like quite a thrill I tell you. You're tethered to the dogs so when go, you go! I'm gonna hit them up to take me out sometime this winter for sure.

We met a dog named Kota that I swear is a bear in disguise. Being a Malamut, the dog was already destined to be large – but holy crap, this guy must have gotten the Andrea the Giant gene. The owner told us that he won the dog pulling contest last year by pulling something like 1,500 lbs!

This dog sled race has been held every year since 1917. It's really cool that the event is 100% run by volunteers. That's a lot of dog lovers and they get our kudos.

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Interlude

Bedtime ritual

Snack time ritual

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Sunday Skiing

I took Ethan up to ski at Kelly Canyon today. This was his first time up there (his 4 week ski lessons were previously at Pebble Cr.) and he crushed it.

Runs like Slithery Dee, Ernie's Exhibition, Upper Bowl and even The Face were no sweat for him. Pretty rad for a 6 year old with no poles and only his 5th time skiing. Plus, only one fall all day to boot!

As we soaked up the sun on our multiple chairlift ascents and talked about boy things (boogers, farts, etc.) I kept watching a few different parents teaching their kids how to ski (3-5 yr olds). A couple of parents were using the leash systems as they skied behind their kids while keeping the little nippers speeds in check. Not sure how I feel about the effectiveness of the leash system. None of the instructors at Pebble Cr. used those systems while teaching the kids while Ethan was in ski school. Mind you, he was one of the bigger kids in his class but there were kids as young as 3 in his ski class and they seemed to learn just as fast as he did just skiing on their own sans the leash thingy. Whatever, I guess.

For Ethan, learning at Pebble Cr. was the right choice. The instructors there were mature, patient but firm in keeping the kids on track. Plus, with Pebble being steeper, Ethan found Kelly's to be a breeze.

Skiing The Face…pretty rad, my boy.

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The Noodle, the Pizza and the Edgie Wedgie

Today I took Ethan to Pebble Creek for his first day ever on the slopes. Instead of trying to teach him ourselves, we felt he'd benefit much more from lessons than from mom or dad trying to teach him what little we know of skiing. In the end, it paid off because he had a huge smile on his face all day.

I see it every time I go to a ski hill but it still amazes me – how good kids are at picking up skiing. Seeing little toddlers today cruising the bunny hill makes me want to get Madeline on skis even more. We'll wait until next season though. She's gonna love it!

The weather was sublime, (28º, full sun, no wind), and the crowds were minimal. The upper hill is in rough shape still. They need much more snow. However, they've been making snow on the bunny hill (where Ethan's class stayed all day) and it was actually more fun staying on it and shadowing Ethan as compared to gouging my skis and board on the crap up higher.

Someone asked me why we chose Peeble compared to Kelly Canyon (which is only about 20 mi. versus Pebble at about 65 mi.). I've always preferred Pebble due to the fact that the angles are consistently steeper and longer than Kelly's . Hell, Pebble is much more narrower than Targhee but has almost the same vertical relief to it than Targhee does. Plus, the backside of Pebble Creek (Mt. Bonneville) is one of the raddest backcountry stashes that I've ever ridden. Oh yeah, and it's cheaper than Targhee.

Towards the end of the day Ethan estimated his class made about 11-12 runs but he wanted to do more with his dad. So after class let out we hit the 'ol bunny hill 2 more times and I was blown away at how good Ethan did. I found myself shouting to him at one point to slow down because he was booking and I thought he was going to smack into the Ski Patrol shack. No worries though, he stopped on a dime and looked back at his paranoid dad, shrugged his shoulders like "What? I got it." "Oh yeah," I thought, "he's hooked."

One the way home he kept asking when we where going back. In his mind, not soon enough I'm sure.

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Another one bites the dust (Christmas, that is)

It's the day after Christmas and all through the house, all that lay wrapped has been annihilated to dust.

The Westside TeNgaio's made it through yet another year of holiday madness. The feeding frenzy that is Christmas morning was celebrated in utmost righteousness with candy-ingesting-spastic-offspring ripping wrapping paper off at break neck speeds. Then M&M's, french toast and a strong cup of jo (for the old farts, of course) made for a glorious morning.

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and wish you all the best in 2010!

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The Nutcracker Comes to Town

Madeline, Dad & Ethan in the dressing below the stage

Toy Soldier Ethan & Chinese Girl Madi

Ethan, grandma Tammy (Franchesca) & cousin Jaxon

So we had an exciting day this past Saturday: the kids were in The Nutcracker at the Civic Auditorium. It was a day of fun, yet, chaotic madness.

They had been practicing for 2 months for this and were really excited for "The Big Day", as Ethan put it. This was our first time having the kids in any kind of "professional" (where people actually paid to see it) and we learned a few of things:
1. don't be in a hurry
2. be ready to be in a hurry at a whim's notice
3. when the dance director freaks out, don't take it seriously
4. remember that the kids are supposed to have fun doing this

I'm kind of new to the whole ballet-dance-theater genre. I understand that to perform well you have to be serious and practice, practice, practice. While I was kind of surprised at the severity of lecturing the directors dished out to the dancers in between performances, I can wee why they are they are so stern in their ways: a lot of work went into the performance. And it paid off.

Madeline was one of the Chinese dancers in the 2nd Act. She was so damn cute on stage. She was easy to spot on stage because she was the only one that was getting into it: shaking her booty, doing her gestures and bowing like a Chinese. Classic. Then she kind lolly-gagged getting off the stage (for both performances) checking out all the fancy props, lights and other dancers. What can we say, she loves the limelight and was just milking it!

Ethan was one of the toy soldiers in the 1st Act. He took his role pretty seriously. Cousin Jaxon was one on the mice so he and Ethan got to fight each other in the battle scene, giving it all they had. It was like an army of hyper midgets going at it with toy guns and swords.

Britt's parents, Jeff and Tamera, where part of the performance as well. They had the role as the "Purple Family" in the opening party scene in the 1st Act. They did great. When they signed up at the beginning of all this to "volunteer" in the party scene, they didn't realize how much they would actually have to practice and participate in the dance. In the end I could tell Jeff was having fun with it (he was acting like he was taking shots in the party scene!)

Britt wore herself out. While she wasn't in the performance, she was the one who really did most of the work getting the kids to and fro and getting them ready – the whole time while trying to take care of work related things and everything else involved with the holiday season. In the process she ending up getting sick but persevering and sticking it out. She is way more tougher than I am, that's for sure. Right on Chickeedee.

After being on the go from 7 a.m to about 11 p.m. Sat., Sunday morning was spent sleeping in for the gang. French toast and coffee (not for the kids) is a good way to spend Sunday mornings.

Many thanks to all the family that took time from their busy lives to come to the kids' performance. We understand how Sat.'s can be most peoples day to do errands so we greatly appreciate those who were able to make it.

I think we're taking next year off, however.

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SLC and the Jazz II

This past weekend the Westside TeNgaio's, along with the Hubbards and Waldrons, hit the megatropolis of Salt Lake City to watch the Jazz and Lakers play.

We are not sports fans really but a chance to see a NBA game so close to home sounded like a good time. Despite a winter storm on the drive down the trip was a blast. The kids loved the game. It helps that there is an abundance of loud music, lights cheerleaders (Madi loved them) and the Jazz mascot, BEAR.

We got an invitation for the game through Tam's work, (INL), for a reduced price. We were lavished with prime rib and the fixin's pre-game at the E-Center as part of the package and then chilled to watch the game. We've never been to a pro basketball game before. It was pretty damn fun. It's funny to see people get soooooo worked up over games. We had the pleasure of some drunk loud-mouth behind us to fill us in on all the "positive" aspects of each player. It's crazy that some people get so loaded and drop the f-bomb so blatantly even when they are with their kids. I figured all his raving lunacy was just part of the game until I started noticing several people, even from rows away, turning their heads to check out who was making suck a ruckus. Not us, we were chilling alongside some old folks on either sides of us. Funny crap I tell you.

Ethan, Britt, Jeff and I got to go on the floor at the end of half time ad high-five the Jazz as they came back out onto the court. Ethan was amazed at how tall the players were. Then he got to meet the BEAR mascot and get a pic. The icing on the cake was Jeff getting a picture with the Jazz cheerleaders, though.

BTW, the Jazz pretty much cleaned house the entire game. The Lakers (who I thought were going to win) played lousy. The fans were going crazy, especially in the 4th period. A ton of energy in that place!

After the game we all donned our custom made beanies (thanks Tamera) and walked over to Temple Square to check out the Christmas lights. Pretty cool but they didn't have the lights on at the manger display. Oh well. I like looking at the architecture on the old buildings downtown so I was happy. On the way back to the hotel, Britt and I stopped to check out this cool blown glass sculpture in the theater/concert house(?) near the Temple. It's several pieces of red blown glass compiled into a 40' sculpture of craziness.

The rest of the trip went smoothly and uneventful. One thing that Britt and I have come to a conclusion though: we need a new bed. It's pathetic when the hotels you've stayed at in the past year have better beds then yours own at home.

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SLC and the Jazz I

Some more pics

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Happy Birthday Madeline!!!

Our Madeline turns 3 today!

We had her party yesterday at toddler heaven – Blast Off. It never fails to amaze me how much energy there is in that place when it's packed full of kids. Truly amazing.

Not much to report on other than Madi had a great time and made out like a bandit (time to purge the house to make room for the new stuff). Barbies, Dora the Explorer and tea sets – typical 3 year old girls' birthday loot.

Thanks to everyone who were able to make it. Big thanks to grandma Tam for all the help. And a big thanks to auntie Charish and uncle Clayton taking the time to drive all the way up here to take Madeline shopping for her birthday gift (we love getting books for the kids!).

We love you Madi-cakes!

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This is Halloween…

Well, the best holiday of the year has come and gone. Trick-or-Treating was successful and now Madi and Ethan (as well as mom and dad) are reaping the rewards. BTW, whoever thought of sticking peanut butter inside of chocolate should be made a god.

The weather was awesome for Trick-or-Treating last night. However, Britt and I have been feeling under the weather and passed on our friends annual and awesome Halloween party last night. We were bummed because it's something we look forward to every year but don't always make it. Oh well. Next year we'll represent.

As for the TeNgaio offspring; Madi was a kitty and Ethan was Dracula the day before Halloween (at school) and then a Dead-Prison-Dude-Thing on Halloween. We made the rounds in the neighborhood then headed home to hand out candy. That's when I go the idea to scare kids as they came to the door.

Ethan in his dead-dude-duds and me as a gorilla sat as inanimates. When the kids came to the door – bam! Scare time. Some kids don't scare as easily as others but some parents do, it was pretty fun. Ethan kept at it hiding below the steps in the dark bushes after I went in and scaring the crap out of kids. I can't wait until Madeline is old enough to join in – I think this is the start of an annual tradition.

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