merry christmas and happy new year!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Madsen's!
We had a very nice Christmas, but certainly missed being with the Kolacinski family as well.  Hopefully next year we will have a Colorado Christmas with both families.
I think the highlight of my Christmas morning besides being with my family and giving and receiving many wonderful gifts, was Howard wearing his new ski helmet the entire time we opened presents and when Ann opened her ipod nano she starred at it for about 3 minutes trying to figure out what it was... when she did she couldn't put it down! 

P.S. Dad and Sarah we definitely missed having your cameras around. Needless to say the photo above is nothing spectacular due to the fact we are in our small condo and put the camera on a tripod on the counter:)  Also no Christmas morning photos:( 

oh yea...i got bangs!

"the grandmas and grandpas"

A classroom parent of mine said she was feeling like she wanted to do something nice for someone else...  So I arranged to take my class to the nursing home here in town.  I have been preparing the kids by telling them that we are going to visit some grandmas and grandpas that all live together in a big house and need help sometimes.  So all last week we talked about singing and reading to the grandmas and grandpas.  Today was the day that they got to ride on the little mini bus that I drove (this was very exciting), sing jingle bells quite a few times, and read a book of their choice to the residents at Heritage Park Care Center.  It was such an amazing feeling to be there showing love and care at this time of year.  The grandmas and grandpas were so thrilled to see all the cute little kids. It was just so precious!  It made my heart smile today.  After this venture was over we made a pit stop to the local Santa Mailbox to mail our letters to Santa.
In conclusion a very gratifying day!

new skis!

Last winter, once again, I realized I was out skiing my skis.  Don't get me wrong, the Solomon Mynx are great all mountain skis, however, I am completely infatuated with the deeeeeeep powder and needed some of those "water ski" fat skis.  Had eyed a pair toward the end of the season last year, saw them at the store this summer, and finally purchased them this fall.  Skied on them this past Saturday, love them! They were surprisingly great on the groomed trails...

Now I just need some powder!  Please snow!