Chef Liam Delivers One Yummy Meal

One thing is for sure...Liam loves to cook. He did not, however, inherit that from his Mommy or Daddy.

This evening her prepared a lovely veggie soup and rolls -- all from scratch, and most tasty.

Making the rolls.

Taking a banana break.

Making a call before eating the second banana.

Mixing the veggies to make a puree.

Preparing the rolls.

Liam had the bowls set up and ready to serve. He garnished with orange rind and some parsley

Liam also made a cranberry, peach, and mango juice (the kid loves to make juices!) Mommy thought it tasted good, so she made a martini with it...yummy.

Liam Ratatouille Style

They partied like it was 1999

This is what the boys looked like this morning at 9:30 a.m..

Yesterday we did something crazy at the Noonan house. It was "No Rules" day.

We just hung out, read books, watched movies and the Ranger game, played games, and ate leftovers. Liam prepared snacks for all of carrots, kiwi, and Mouse Munch.

Mommy went to bed at about 8 p.m.. I heard Liam being put to bed at 10 p.m. Who knows what time Bob went to sleep.

I'll spare you the photo of what the family room looked like when I saw it this morning. Let's just say I spent some time cleaning up blankets, plates, bowls, cups, Ranger #1 Fan fingers, and pillows. I won't ask...

Christmas Morning

Checking out the tree.

Over dinner last night, much discussion was given as to what to leave for Santa. We decided that he might like a beer. Beck's Light was chosen for obvious reasons. We also left a piece of chocolate from Daddy's private stash, and a cookie.

Liam was very happy that Santa brought the exact hockey stick that he wanted.

Grandma Irene gave him this Chef hat. We are sure that he will want to help with dinner this evening.

Liam loves, loves, loves music so we got him his own iPod Nano.

Christmas Spectacular on Christmas Eve

Liam and Tonia went to Radio City Music Hall to watch the Christmas Spectacular. Liam loved it. He especially enjoy seeing, "the real Santa who came down from the North Pole."

We went to the Children's Mass on Christmas Eve. Our church can get very cold, as you can see Tonia dressed in many, many layers. She was trying to dress up a little without having to wear ski gear to church.

Writers Celebration

Liam's class had a Writers Celebration Monday. All the children wrote stories about what snowmen do at night while we are asleep. It was so cute to hear the kids read them aloud. After they shared their masterpieces, we all enjoyed some yummy refreshments.

Liam's story was about a snowman who broke into our shed, stole his sled, and went sledding all night.

Liam and his teacher, Miss Beglin.

Fresh powder almost every day...now that's the life!

Liam and Wyatt. Liam really enjoyed hanging out with Wyatt. He thinks he is really cool. Mendie and Jordan gave him the Buffs shirt that he is wearing. Might I add that it currently is his favorite aritcle of clothing.

The Noonans and the Welus. We met again this year for lunch. That Wyatt and Sylvie are so d___ cute!! We are hoping that next year they will be able to meet us for some skiing as well as chow. By then, Wyatt might be able to rock that helmet while ripping on the mountain.

Our hotel, The Great Divide Lodge, which was ski in/ski out. The above and below shots were taken from the same spot. Bob took the first, did a 180, then took the second.

Top of the Imperial Express Lift, which is the highest ski lift in North America. The Imperial Bowl was one of our favorites this year. A couple days we had awesome conditions. One day however, Bob got caught in a slide that carried him for about 60 feet. Nothing major, but a little unnerving non-the-less. All week we kept hearing reports that the conditions were ripe for avalanches. We usually think that the warnings are more for those skiing back country, because the resorts do so much Avi blasting. But...three guys actually got caught in an avalanche in one of Vail's back bowls while we were there.

Taking a break to do a powder Happy Dance in Breck's Contest Bowl.

Bob's self-portrait.

Tonia and Liam after an amazing Italian dinner. We had a mild panic when we couldn't find our favorite Italian restaurant. Turns out they moved.

Liam spent much apres ski time writing and drawing.

One day at the top of the Six Chair the wind was so strong that when I got off the lift, the wind pushed me back toward the chair. After that we decided we needed a little chill time in the warming hut. Bob took the above picture as my pole was flying away.

I don't, as a rule, like to have a beer until I've have finished skiing for the day, but on occasion I'll take a sip of Bobby's. It seems like every time I decide to take a sip of his beer he snaps a photo. To look at our photos from the past several years you would think that I really tie one on when skiing.

The response he got after the beer photo.

Bobby loving the mountain life.

Enjoying lots of fresh snow, and fun tree skiing at Vail.

Liam in his raccoon hat. Yes, he picked it out all by himself.

Bob asked me to post this photo. Chain restrictions were in place on almost all our journeys in the High Country this trip.

The Noonan boys relaxing.

So much to do...

Liam decided that he would check out the lights to see if they were all working. He was trying to get Bob outside to hang them...didn't happen because it was very dark, and Bob didn't want either of them to get hurt. Liam was disappointed for about five minutes. Then...

...He decided to re-tape some hockey sticks. Good thing, because these were in some serious need of re-taping. Note the paint brush -- that was to dust off Mommy's stick. Cute kid, real cute, I get the hint.

Decorating

Liam thought he should wear the hard-hat to protect his head form falling ornaments.