Make YOUR Life Count

“You don’t have to know a lot of things for your life to make a lasting difference in the world. But you do have to know the few great things that matter, perhaps just one, and then be willing to live for them and die for them. The people that make a durable difference in the world are not the people who have mastered many things, but who have been mastered by one great thing… You don’t have to have good looks or riches or come from a fine family or a fine school. Instead you have to know a few great, majestic, unchanging, obvious, simple, glorious things – or one great all-embracing thing – and be set on fire by them.”  ~John Piper  don’t waste your life

Learn to Ski/Board on the Cheap @ Echo Mountain

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Wouldn’t it be great to have a ski area close enough to Denver to avoid all the I-70 mess? How about a place with affordable prices, small enough to set the kiddos free – night skiing available (to squeeze a few runs in after work/school). I guess I’d wish for close-in parking, reasonably priced food and amazing views too…but we can’t have it all, right?

Well, maybe we can @ Echo Mountain!

Echo is fairly new to Colorado, privately owned and designed to meet the needs of families…but they let experts on the slopes too, particularly in the tricked-out terrain park, where boarders can be seen from the chair lift – entertaining crowds with their daring performances. The lodge offers spectacular views of the Rockies, free WiFi AND a close watch on the one, main lift as well as a good portion of the mountain. What does that mean to you? Well, if your kids are old enough, you can relax, work, surf the net and maybe even sip a cocktail…all while the kids take their wild energy to the slopes.

Not quite there yet? Echo has ideal accommodations for the little ones too! With a magic carpet, handle toe and several novice runs, you are assured opportunities for those in their early years on the mountain. Kid’s lessons are a good idea too. Get ‘em up there young and they won’t have to endure the pains of adult learning!

Don’t forget to gear your little ones up right! “Best Winter Gear for Kids”

Best Winter Gear for Kids! (WIN Obermeyer Ski Coat/Pants & Name Bubbles)

Whether you’re hitting the slopes this winter or building snowmen in your backyard, you are going to want to bundle up – and with these top winter gear picks, your kids will be properly protected AND in great style!

• Obermeyer  - Clothes That Grow!

(photo: Sheer Bliss Coat in Anthracite)

Obermeyer’s novel “I-Grow” System allows for your children’s winter wardrobe to grow right along with them. It is one of the most brilliant l ideas I have come across in my search for epic winter wear. Simply snip the colored thread at the wrists and ankles to extend the length up to two inches, allowing for an extra season (or two!). High waters will be a thing of the past with this original design. Another ingenious devise by Obermeyer – the “goodie pocket,” perfect for a healthy snack when you are too busy having fun to take a break…a favorite pick at our house: organic Wacky Apple fruit leather.

• Alpha Industries - Built to Last! 

(photo: Mini McGyver Jacket)

From prim and proper to rugged yet refined, this military inspired casual wear will make a fashionable statement this winter. With quality materials and ultra- sturdy assembly (even the buttons are anchored on for a lifetime of wear,) these garments are ideal for little outdoor enthusiasts. Matching parent/child styles are absolutely adorable and perfect for a mild weather day on the slopes or an après ski hot cocoa and s’mores.

  

• Gordini - Gear Done Right.

Frosty fingers and foggy goggles can quickly ruin a day on the slopes and choosing sunglasses over ski goggles can result in sunburned eyeballs (not fun) due to the glare reflecting from the ground up. Gearing your children up right will not only protect them from the elements but will ensure a great experience for the entire family. Gordini technology takes winter gear technology seriously – effectively balancing the body’s natural heat production with the loss experienced in cold temperatures. Quality ski gear is important…even for our tiny learners.  Don’t risk spending your winter vacation juggling uncomfortable hand warmers and making frequent defrost stops at the lodge.

• Origin Snow - Small Business, Big Impact!

This local, family owned company specializes in kid-sized snowboards and equipment. With fresh designs, free demos and a respectful vision for the moral of the sport, this young company is pioneering a new generation of little shredders. Start skill building early and avoid the pain of adult learning – I think I’m still recovering from a Winter Park boarding lesson last season…I’ll stick with skis for a while.

• Name Bubbles - Names That Stick…To Your Gear!

  

After carefully selecting your winter gear, you will want to protect it from the ominous lost and found…and help your children recognize their valuable belongings in the heaps of skis, boards, helmets, coats and other items at the lodge. These fashionable stickers are not only visually appealing, they are amazingly durable – laundry and dishwasher safe – read about by inadvertent home test on this product: Honey, I Shrunk the Sippy Cup.

 

 

ENTER TO WIN at Mile High Mamas! 

 

Win a Girl’sSheer Bliss in Anthracite, Boy’s Ketza Pant in Neon Lights Print or Personalized Name Bubbles Package!

Contest deadline is January 29, 2012.

 

 

 

Is God a Broncos Fan?

It was a topic of discussion at a dinner I recently attended. No, not with my girlfriends – we generally don’t discuss sports at GNO, sorry Broncos. Someone had asked during the meal if we believe that God is helping Tim Tebow. I found the question intriguing, and with my general lack of opinion, I shared my thought immediately…

Tim Tebow is helping God.

I have to admit I’m not a very supportive Broncos fan – no jersey, no logo flag - no offense to the uber-talented athletes on the field, it’s just that it’s simply not in my genetic makeup to focus on the television for 3+ consecutive hours when I can just catch highlights later (and I have two busy young children). That’s exactly what leaves me awe inspired with the works accomplished by Tim Tebow…

I’m watching FooTBaLL!

Ok, so I still don’t sit down for the entire game but I do find myself wandering over, standing a few feet from the screen and staring in wonder. I actually paused in Costco to watch a Tebow replay. I had chills after a couple of games - and then, this last Sunday – I got teary. Ya, all choked up over a football game…What Is Going On?

Not only am I weepy over a Bronco’s miraculous victory, I’m witnessing a whole new culture…thanks to the example of Tim Tebow. Our pastor wears his jersey on Sundays, people are talking about this stuff in *public* schools, and somehow it became acceptable to embrace Christianity, even kneel in prayer, because one bold football player lead the way. Prayer requests are being circulated for support of this team player’s mission. People are taking notice. So, do I think God is helping the Broncos? I think God is helping Tim Tebow do exactly what he intended for him to.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Tim Tebow is the first to give the credit to the Lord. Thanks to humility, truth and God’s provision of an impressive spotlight (on and off the field,) people everywhere are talking about Tim Tebow, about the Broncos and most importantly…about God.

Girls Night Out – I didn’t think I’d be momblogging about Tim Tebow OR the Broncos…so I’m guessing we just might cover the subject of “sports.”

Is God GREAT or what?

Check out these other articles on the subject: Jon Gordon Blog, Mile High Mamas

 

photo: thechristianrepublic

We Saw the Sevens but Not the Falls

It was my son’s comment as we were leaving from our visit to Seven Falls in Colorado Springs, CO. His lack of enthusiasm had much to do with our timing – not just that we chose to visit in the month of December when the falls are frozen over, but because we had set out before sundown in hopes of benefiting from the sun’s warm rays. One small detail overlooked: the icy falls light up at night. Oops.

I wouldn’t say the trip was disappointing though because we did get to see many beautiful sights, ride the elevator to the top of the mountain (stairs closed due to ice) and shop inside the toasty warm gift shop.

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If I had known then what I realize now, yes, I would have suggested a winter *evening* visit so we could enjoy the lovely Christmas lights and the colorful glow of each of the seven frozen falls. I guess that’s what this blogging stuff is all about though – providing helpful tips to other families, right? We’ll just have to take the kids back in the summertime to hike around and experience the falls…not just the sevens.

Pikes Peak Attractions

A Hop Back in Time…Thanks to Air Pogo

Flashback circa de 1988 to scrunchie-held side ponytails, layered socks and stonewashed, pinch rolled denim. It was the stage of life where a transition from childhood tomboyish tendencies into a seemingly well-mannered young lady is a mandatory progression if one is to survive scrutiny of the unyielding judgments projected from hormonal preteens…particularly of the female sort.

It was my escape. An acceptable means of releasing a pent up need to just be silly – play, jump, laugh till your tummy aches kind of fun. I could jump rope with it, experiment with the forces of gravity with it on the trampoline – braving the no-net, dauntingly exposed spring edged rectangle of fun – or use it as intended…and my proper development into preteen maturity was not doubted by any.

So, you can imagine my delight when I received this product for review. The Air Pogo Jumper…my children’s pogo ball. It was just as I had dreamed but increasingly innovative. This Pogo Jumper arrived in a box with a pump. Assembly was easy: insert the red ball into the center, pump to desired firmness…and bounce.

My eight-year-old son was a natural. My four-year-old found it to be more of a challenge (it helps to let some of the air out so she can balance,) but that makes sense considering she’s a bit young for the recommended age…but don’t think she’s going to give up that easily…we’re still recovering from our summer At the Rodeo!

CReaTIvE ExeRCiSE…and we’ll be trying this out on the trampoline once the snow melts. *Not a recommended use but with safety nets, padded springs and the convenience of 911 on the cell phone what could go wrong, right?

 

 

 

 

Surviving the Wake of the Holiday Season with MomPower

Fruitcake and Antidepressants. They were two of the top “trending now” items on my Yahoo mail page this morning – along with Matthew McConaughey and Mitt Romney. I’m not really sure why this caught my eye but it did.

 

It’s one of the most sought out Christmas gifts in our culture…TecHNoLoGY…and yet with the many gadgets and gadgets received this holiday season, the millions of web surfers, the infinite number of topics to spark our curiosity and all we can come up with is fruitcake and antidepressants – with a little Matt and Mitt in the mix?

 

We’re still vacuuming pine needles and recycling Christmas wrap and these are the things we’re obsessing about…strange eats, fab abs, politics and holiday blues.

 

I don’t know about all of you but I want something more – for my family, for our country and for the entire human population. I want for the billions of dollars spent on megabytes, gigabytes, 4Gs and whatever else is fueling this Internet searching to be an investment toward powerful ideas and knowledge that leads to astounding results. I wish to find my children Googling healthy, helpful topics on ways they can improve, help others and do the most good with they have been given.  I certainly don’t want my family – or anyone – feeling depressed. 

  

I believe that BIG changes happen in small ways and I suppose that’s my hope with this little article. I think moms are some of the most influential people in the entire world and always have been. Just one of us can make a monumental impact…and all together we can most certainly change the world. So what can we do to help our families survive the wake of the holiday season? We can start with a healthy example: take care of ourselves so that we can take care of others.

 

We can use our MomPower to tip the scales on happiness, joy, fulfillment and encouragement in our country. Our hugs, baked goods, handwritten notes and forehead kisses can and will be the spark that ignites amazingly influential people. Next year…MomPower top trend.

 

 

 

How do you keep yourself and your family healthy this time of year?

 

 photo: lovedetouradvice

 

Simple Tips for Fabulous Holiday Décor…Final Tip

Take Time to Remember

The most important decorations are those that help remind you and your family what this holiday is all about. Hang those reminders, talk about them with your children and focus on the reason for the season…the rest will fall into place.

Related Articles: The Story of the Candy Cane, A Gift Not Available in Stores

Reindeer Handprint and Footprint Craft for Christmas

For this enDEERing craft, you will need the following:

White T-shirt
Acrylic paint (we used gold) to make hand & footprints
Red fabric and no-sew adhesive to iron-on for Rudolf’s nose
Buttons/Needle & Thread for eyes

This is a fun Christmas project that can be a forever keepsake. Have a Merry Christmas!

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Comes to Colorado

It’s the first day of winter break – kids are out of school and parents are wondering what to do. Following the whirlwind of class parties and gift exchanges, you may be lacking in creative ideas. Start your vacation off right with festive cheer and show your children the importance of giving to others. Toys for Tots will benefit from donations at this event AND Choose Outdoors had a great suggestion – donate outdoor toys and help our youth stay active and have fun…OUTDOORS!

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree for the 2012 Holiday Season to come from Colorado Join Gov. John Hickenlooper, Undersecretary of Agriculture Harris Sherman, the U.S. Forest Service, Choose Outdoors, John Fielder, the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of Colorado and many more this Friday for an important holiday announcement. The REI Denver flagship store will host the kickoff event for the 2012 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, which Colorado will provide for the first time in more than a decade. Learn more about participating throughout the year for the chance to accompany the tree to Washington, D.C. for next year’s lighting ceremony at the Capitol Building, hosted by the Speaker of the House. One lucky youth will get the opportunity to flip the switch to turn the lights on the tree. Toys for Tots will be at the event, ready to accept your donation for this year’s holiday season. Choose Outdoors recommends donating outdoor toys to encourage youth to spend more time outdoors.

What: •Press Conference for 2012 US Capitol Christmas Tree – “Celebrating Our Great Outdoors”

When: •Friday, Dec. 16, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Press conference begins at 11a.m. Join us at 10:30 a.m. to get into the holiday spirit with music, refreshments and festive celebration.

Where: •REI Denver Flagship Store – Between main entrance and Starbucks 1416 Platte Street Denver, CO 80202