Happy Leap Day!

Happy Leap Day everyone! An extra day, do something you never get to do.

Our First Wine is Bottled!

Lohman Family Estate has it's first wine made and bottled.

Chad ventured out to San Francisco this past weekend to bottle our first wine. Trice was glad to go along and be the photographer. This wine is a Sauvignon Blanc and it's Cooper's wine. Chad has been working with a company called Crushpad to make all of this happen. You might have seen or heard about Crushpad as they have been featured in many magazines and on the Today show. Crushpad allows you to be as involved in the wine making process as you want to be. Chad was able to choose the vineyard the grapes were sourced from, the chemistry makeup of the wine, the bottle type, and even the label. All of this is great, it just means more decisions for Chad to make.

The grapes were harvested last year and when we visited Crushpad in September 2007 the grapes were in the tank already. So it's been a work in progress. We are also making a red wine, but as you may know, reds have to sit in the barrels a lot longer than a white wine does. Chad couldn't wait that long, so he decided to do a white wine first. Our red wine grapes have been harvested and they are in the barrel. Chad was able to taste the red out of the barrel on this trip.

The bottling process was interesting for Chad to watch. The labels weren't back from the printer yet, so they just skipped that step. From watching simple water fill some bottles, to pushing air in the bottles to clean them out, all of it was exactly what Chad wanted to see and do. The corks went in, the foil went on, and Chad happily boxed them up and put them on the palette.

Our art designer, KC, kindly printed off 5 labels to go on the bottles so Chad could bring those back with him. It was actually KC's last day at Crushpad, so Chad was sad to not be able to work with him again.

The label has an interesting story. The picture on the label is titled Nice Cups and was a piece of artwork hanging in one of our friends' houses. We had seen it many years ago and Chad always said that would make a cool wine label. So as this venture presented itself, Chad contacted our friends and the artist actually made a new print for our friend and we ended up with the Nice Cups print, which now hangs in our media room. The design was perfect and it's just enough edge that it's an unforgettable label, but still classy.

The romance part of it, goes as follows. (This is the story part on the back label.)
"We are pleased to present our first Sauvignon Blanc. We finished this wine in stainless steel to allow for the true essence to shine. Bright, crisp acidity with green apple and lemongrass aromatics. This is Cooper's wine. Our 5 year old red headed daughter is very similar to this wine. Bright, but with a touch of sass that sometimes you just have to shake your head at. Straightforward, yet firm, all wrapped up into this little ball of joy."

If you're a white wine lover we hope this suites your taste buds. For those of you who like reds, just be patient our next one will be done next year. Around June or July as it has to sit in oak for 18 months.

We hope that one of the suppliers in Kansas will bring in our wine and then we will be able to sell it. We'll keep you posted and let you know when our reveal party is.

Girls Weekend!

This past weekend Chad went to San Francisco so the girls and I went out to my mom's house for the weekend and a little girl time. My sister and Bailey were there and we all had a lot of fun. Campbell loves all the dogs and chased them all over the house. She wants to help grandma with everything she does, even when grandma didn't need help. Cooper and Bailey played well together. Their imaginations seem to lead them in many directions; school, house, sisters, etc. Mom, Kelly, and I enjoyed watching HGTV and catching up on our magazine reading. We tried to come up with solutions to our home decorating issues. We played games, painted fingernails, did crafts, and ate great food. The funniest part of the weekend was during a game of UNO Attack-o. Bailey played a trade hands card and traded hands with Cooper, to which Cooper replied "God-Dammit, now I can't play that card." Mom, Kelly, and I couldn't say a word as we were laughing so hard that we were crying. The girls didn't have a clue why we were laughing, but mom and Kelly both say Cooper gets that language from good old mom. ;o)

K-State Victory

On Saturday night we took both girls (Campbell's first time) to the K-State vs Missouri basketball game. K-State had a huge victory and both girls enjoyed cheering on the wildcats. That evening they were recognizing the teammates from the 1948 and 1958 winning teams. One of those players is Ernie Barrett, otherwise known as Mr. K-State. Chad knows Mr. Barrett from donations Nespor's contributes to the K-State Fish Fry. He was excited to take a picture with Chad and the girls. We had a wonderful evening together. When we left the game we discovered it was raining outside. Our attempt to take pictures of the girls is to get their picture included in the Future Wildcats show displayed during upcoming basketball games. I think we'll make it, they are so cute. The score was 100-63!

Happy Valentine's Day

Sending lots of love to all our Valentines.

Last Ones, I promise

Ok, just a few more.


Angel Fire (as we are leaving).


Another view of the mountain.


Bye bye Angel Fire.


Campbell ready to travel.


Cooper ready to travel. Thank goodness for headphones and dvd players.

If you click on a pic it will get bigger for you to view it.

More pictures

I'm just learning how to put more than one pic on a post, so bare with me. Especially with words under the pics and space between.


Marie on the slopes.


The girls by the fireplace.


Papa and the girls with the mountains.


Daddy and Campbell on the slopes.


The Watsons' and The Lohman's

Pictures from Angel Fire

There are so many good pics, but I can only include a few.


Cooper in her gear.


Marie, Chad, and I getting ready for the first day.


Marie, Chad, and Cooper in front of the condos.


Family pic at the Sunset Grill.


The Mountain.

Back from Angel Fire!

We are back and we had a fabulous time!! Angel Fire is beautiful. The mountain offers a lot of different options for all levels of skiers, snowboarders, and even tubing. The resort is big with a swimming pool, hot tub, gift shops, and restaurants. The "town" is small, but there is a grocery store, ski rental shops, restaurants, and housing. The view is spectacular and very scenic. The weather cooperated for our travels and was beautiful on Saturday, some might even say "it was hot." It is a nice place for families to go and learn to ski and just be able to hang out and relax.

So to recap our trip I'll give you some highs and lows from our adventures.

Highs
1. We all had a great time.
2. Chad's dream of a family ski trip came true.
3. Cooper made it through 4 hours of ski school.
4. We got a picture of Cooper in her gear at ski school.
5. I made it through morning and afternoon ski lessons.
6. I put on my skis for day two.
7. Cooper and I really like tubing.
8. Marie made it through morning and afternoon ski lessons.
9. Chad took Marie up to the top of the mountain on day two and she loved every minute of it.
10. All the Watson's did fantastic at skiing and had a great time together.
11. The weather was beautiful.
12. We all dealt with the altitude very well.
13. Everyone's travels were safe.
14. Our two bedroom/two bathroom condo was very nice and accommodating.

Lows
1. Dad and Marie's flight out of Omaha left 3 hours late.
2. Our condo wasn't ready for check in when we arrived.
3. Dad and Marie's flight out of Phoenix left 1 1/2 hours late.
4. Within 3 minutes of arriving in the condo, Campbell fell and hit the spot right between her eyes on the toddler bed. We thought we may need to go to the hospital.
5. The Watson's #2 reservations weren't all made, like ours were.
6. Our lift tickets weren't available for us at check in, because we stayed in a condo. And when Chad went to pick them up on Friday, Cooper's ski school tickets were messed up.
7. Cooper only made it through 4 hours of ski school, (we had hoped for 1 1/2 days.)
8. Dylan left ski school early as well.
9. At the end of day 1, when Kayre and I went to pick up Dylan and Cooper from ski school, the staff didn't know where they were at and told us they were already released to Dylan's mom and they didn't know who took Cooper and her instructor was sick and went home early. Needless to say after MUCH worry, they finally told us my dad had picked them both up.
10. At ski school, they never had Cooper's name correct. They called her "Isabelle" and when I went to pick up her picture they had her named "Chad."
11. Cooper refused to go to ski school anymore.
12. The grocery store closes at 7:30.
13. All the times "listed" were not followed. (ie opening, closing, meeting, pick up)
14. No cell phone service for any of the Watson's or us. Only dad's Verizon worked. No long distance calls from the condo.
15. Campbell got sunburned on her cheeks from watching us go tubing.
16. An 11 hour drive home, to avoid bad weather.

So...

We've all decided next year we are going to try out Taos!


This was the Watson's #1 (Kayre, Darby, Taylor, & Dylan) second family ski trip. Taylor is an awesome skier and went to the top of the mountain with the guys. Dylan really picked it up and was doing the bunny slope all of day 2. The Watson's #1 (Darrin, Janet, and Jessi) hadn't been skiing in a while and it was Jessi's first time, and she really picked it up and went to the top of the mountain with the guys. Kayre always has things well planned out and a good agenda set and this time was no different. She made sure we were all prepared and had all essential equipment. Everyone enjoyed themselves and are looking forward to the next time.

My dad even said next time he will take lessons. ;o)

Angel Fire, New Mexico - Here we come!

Today is the big day! We are planning to leave about noon to head to Sublette and stay the night at the Watson's, as we make our way to Angel Fire. Cooper is finally feeling better, today is the first day she has come out of her room since Friday. She did manage to go to school on Monday and Tuesday, but was so tired afterwards she fell right asleep when she got home. Campbell is ready to create mischief, as she has helped me "unpack" the suitcases many times already. The one thorn in our side today is that Manhattan received 7 inches of snow last night!! We are hoping the roads will be cleared off by this afternoon and our travels will be safe. Angel Fire is about 6 hours from Sublette, which means we should arrive on Thursday right about check in time. We plan to ski Friday and Saturday and head back on Sunday. Let's hope all goes according to plan. Chad is so excited, he can't wait! We'll update everyone when we get home.

Off to the Gala

Chad and I were able to attend the A Dress The Heart Gala on Saturday night. Thanks to Jane coming to our rescue and babysitting the girls (Cooper was still a bit on the sick side and our scheduled babysitter was sick as well.) Chad got his tux and my dress was selected back in September when I was asked to be one of the models in the "Red Dress" poster to help promote the A Dress The Heart Gala for Mercy Health Center. I was excited to be asked and yet a bit nervous. The photo shoot went well, despite it being cold and the photographer being late. All the ladies looked lovely and Cooper thought it was so neat to see mommy on the posters around town. So finally the big night came for the Gala. Chad and I have never been able to attend the Gala in the past due to other commitments, so this was our first time. It was a nice event and there was a live auction to help raise money for the cardiac unit at the hospital. Heavy appetizers and desserts and lots of wine (which Nespor's donates.) It was held at the Holiday Inn at the Campus, which is were Chad's brother Jeremy and his girlfriend Beth work, so they were working the event as well. It was nice to go out all dressed up and chit-chat with friends and people from around the community. We were home by 10pm, but Chad made sure to get the full use out of his Tux. He wore it on Sunday again to the WWS Sports Gala to re-receive his trophy for "the wing eating/beer drinking contest."

Planning a Trip=Sick Kiddos

It seems that every time we plan a trip, vacation, visit to or from someone, our kiddos get sick. Coincidence, I think not!

I saw it coming last night. Cooper was tired, didn't want to eat dinner, complained that her head hurt, and was asleep by 7:30. She didn't want to take any Motrin, because it wasn't Orange flavored. (Someone please tell me why my kid has to like the only flavor I hate and the stores don't sell.) So I wasn't surprised when she woke up this morning with a high fever. She has been in bed all day and was very sad to miss "pajama day" at school.

So here we are set to leave on our ski trip in just 5 short days, and Cooper is not well and I'm doing everything I can to make sure none of the rest of us catch it. Never mind the fact that we were supposed to have family pics tomorrow morning, Cooper had a dance clinic tomorrow afternoon, and tomorrow night Chad and I are supposed to attend the A Dress the Heart Gala.

I know, stop complaining, it's not a big deal. But if you know me at all, you know I'm a worrier and I get very "uneasy" when the kids are sick. Maybe it's because of what happened to Colgin, but it just stresses me out. And I know even when their grown-up and on their own, I'll still be worrying. That's just what moms do, I'm told.

So I'm off to disinfect some more things and try to keep my sanity. Wish us luck and good health, even if it's for my very selfish reason of not wanting to miss this ski trip. ;o)