Fireworks and Sledding

Very close to where we stayed in Winter Park was Hideaway Park  We had gone here earlier in the week to go sledding and on new years eve they offered sledding and fireworks at night.

This was a winning combination for Tyler and Siew Gin,  Cody preferred to watch the action from the sidelines.

Here we go

The fireworks were okay, and the kids enjoyed them.  Cody wanted to reach up into the sky and touch them..

Wow 

Rosy cheeks

We were out on New Years eve watching the fireworks and when we finally walked back to the apartment, we saw that Cody had a serious case of rosy cheeks! It was so bright red i was actually worried that he had gotten them frost bitten!

My little rosy cheeks

Coke Bear

What are the odd's of meeting the coke bear on our trip to Winter Park.  Turns out pretty good as we managed to catch the following picture on our trip

Look Daddy, your favorite drink

Carriage Ride in Winter Park

Downtown Winter Park has a few shops called copper creek square and we were able to take a ride on their 'free' horse-drawn carriage.

The kids enjoyed it and it wasnt as cold our last ride in steamboat springs !!

All Aboard !!

One out of three posing for the camera

Sledding in Winter Park

When we were in Winter Park, there was sledding hill within a block of where were staying. So, one of the activities that we did was of course sledding! Tyler was particularly excited about sledding.

Tyler and his sled

I am ready

Tyler and mommy

Tyler on his own sled

Walking back to the top of the hill

So, what was Cody doing while Tyler was sledding down the hill?

He was sitting on the side pouting.. !!!

The Millsers take on snow shoeing

One of the other activities we did while were in Winter Park was snow shoeing. It was a crazy windy day with a sprinkling of snow and with that combination, it felt like we were walking in a blizzard! But Tyler didn't seem to be bothered by it and was quite happy to be stomping around the snow and goofing about.

We only did a short walk as it was freezing cold and we were worried about poor Cody who was strapped in the carrier getting frozen to bits!

All ready to go

At the start of the trail

Tyler stomped up the hill

It's coooolllldddd.. says Cody!

Tyler wearing daddy's mask to keep his face from freezing

Victory pose with mommy!

On the way down

We were both really impressed with Tyler's attitude and deemed him worthy to be called a Millser and looks potentially ready to go on crazy adventures with his mommy and daddy!

20 Marathons in 2011

Early in December I looked at the total miles I had run this year and realized that I was very close to my 2010 total mileage of 486 miles and if I put in a lot of miles I could complete the equivilant of 20 marathons or put another way 524.4 miles.

So in December I had to complete 79 miles of running and slot it around Christmas celebrations..

I completed the last few miles today, so can take the rest of the year off from running (all 2 days of it).

Over the year, I ran 524 miles, in just over 69 hours, with an average pace of 7:54 minutes per mile, burning 70,716 calories (505 cokes) with an average heart rate of 146 bpm.

Here are the stats for the year...

A  lot of miles in 2011

Photoshoot

Sometimes you get what you pay for.  Siew Gin got a great deal on a photoshoot so we took one happy child (bribed) and one sad child (couldn't be bribed) for a family photoshoot.

In terms of a good deal it sure was, but in terms of the photographic style and end results - not so good.

We have to wait until January 7th for the official pictures, but I have a feeling they will be in the 'its okay category'.

The first picture was taken with my iPhone as the photographer was setting up the shot, the second picture was taken in our makeshift home studio.

If only I had an iPhone 4s !!

Home Studio Picture

A trip to the Zoo

We had a family 1/2 day out to the Zoo today.  It wasn't as busy a you would expect, but due to the time of year there weren't a lot of animals to see.

Tyler really wanted to see the monkeys, Cody really wanted to push the stroller (and feed Giraffes) so we managed two out of the three on this trip.

Is that a lion?

Let me push the stroller !!

Christmas lights - Crazy

Each Christmas we do a tour of houses that have great lights and this year Tyler and Cody were old enough to appreciate the lights for the first time.

We visited 6 different houses, but only two houses Tincup Circle and Clubhouse drive were out of this world.  When we turned into Tincup Circle, Tyler's reaction was priceless.  'Crazy lights' which about sums up these two light displays.

Tyler liked Tincup so much that he made us go back a second time

Here are a few sample pictures of the light show..

Tincup Circle 

Not just one train, but two in the garden alone !!

Clubhouse drive - It even has a Ferris wheel

More lights please

Boxing Day Lamb

Siew Gin had originally intended to serve lamb as well as turkey on Christmas day, but due to time constraints and space on the table it was held over until boxing day.

The lamb was great and appreciated by the capacity crowd asking for more and I am sure we will be eating it again soon.

Yes, I think its ready

Tastes good to me !!

Tyler and Cody try out as Firemen

Tyler received a fireman poncho for Christmas and both he and Cody enjoyed putting it on and showing us how cool they looked ..

Crazy Firemen !!

Christmas 2011

Christmas was so busy this year that it came and went in a flash! We hosted Christmas this year and were lucky to have so many friends with us.

We started the day with unwrapping presents

Tyler and Cody opening their presents.. ok, me too!! :)

Tyler and Cody checking out Cody's new book

Then the crazy cooking begins!!

Check out that bird!! The turkey's cute too!!

Addy came to my rescue when i needed an extra hand

Let the feast begin

Here's everybody seated

Shashank was given the honor to carve the turkey

Alan and i sharing a cracker

Desserts time

Sienna looking all pretty in her Sparkle outfit

And no good party goes without any good games. And i recruited Games mistress, Hish, to help me think of some funny games. And funny games they were! The Egg Laying game had us cracking for so long!

The very funny egg laying game!

All in all, i think it was a wonderful Christmas with our close friends. It was so exciting i forgot to do my annual wishing balls activity!!

Christmas Presents gone wild

We don't buy many gifts for the kids, as we have crazy relatives and friends who 'keep buying stuff'.  But this year the kids really seemed to enjoy the gifts they got and some of them kept the adults entertained as well.

Will the gifts ever end?

Christmas cakes

As i have been doing more baking this year, i think i got a little ahead of myself when i decided i was going to do 2 cakes for Christmas. One was a Yule Log and the other was Italian Cream Cake. Even though i had done a Yule Log before, this was a real Yule Log with real pastry cream and butter cream. Eeek... no wonder i was up till 5:30 am in the morning making them!!

Anyways, i was lucky that everything came together on Christmas Day.. :)

Yule Log with Chocolate pastry cream and Chocolate buttercream

Italian Cream Cake

Ta-da!!

Milk and Cookies

It was Christmas eve and the boys were hoping that Santa Claus was going to deliver some presents for the 'nice' boys.  

The boys made sure that Santa Claus and the reindeer had something to eat and drink and they checked next day to make sure that the cookies and milk were gone.

Everything is ready for Santa's visit

Touchdown

Denver Broncos  have had a mixed season this year, starting terribly, amazing wins, and a chance to make the playoffs.

Broncos played a Saturday game this week, and while Mummy and Tyler went shopping, Cody and Tyler watched the Broncos and we taught Cody how to signal a touchdown..

Touchdown Broncos !!

Dinner with the Contos Family

After many years of eating at the Contos house, we finally took the opportunity to invite them over for dinner and to exchange some pre-Christmas gifts.

There were two dishes on the menu, Chicken Bouillabaisse and Beef Stifado.  After much discussion amongst the crowd it was the Beef Stifado that seemed to win the day in terms of 'having seconds'.

Show me the beef !!

Can we open them now?