Thanksgiving 2016

Thanksgiving 2016, I went home down to Delaware to celebrate the holidays. Since Marc and I have been a duo, it has usually been celebrating with his family on Thanksgiving and with mine in December. But with losing my grandfather earlier this spring, I felt the need to be home in Delaware. This will mark the first huge family holiday where Ray will not be with us. I have been all sorts of emotions and anxiety lately and even this whole holiday weekend. I really hope my grandmother is okay with the holidays coming through and him not being with her (and us). But being back in the 302 was all good sorts of feels. I was able to see the Foxfire family (loads of laughs and drinking), Ted got to come down (which was a rollercoaster of a ride for both of us), and then being with the Burton juniors (I have not been with them on a big holiday since Thanksgiving 2014. Wah. So it was good being home to see loads of family and a few friends along the way. I am super thankful for this never ending feeling of love and 'home' when I return back to the DE roots. There has been a lot of change happening recently and this year; this 'home' helps anchor some of that chaos spiraling around you. I hope everyone else feels that too and feels thankful for it.

Happy Turkey Day Everyone!

TheChristyBel

Foxfire Family Reunion - Thanksgiving Eve

Shenanigans

Tedders, Drugged Up and Headed Down to Delaware

Bonding with the Brother

I think they like each other

Feels Good to Be Home With Family

Thanksgiving 2015

2015 has given me an endless list of things to be thankful for: earning a Masters, leading wildlife tours, getting a big girl job, teaching programs, becoming a better scientist, the new friendships, reuniting with old friends, coming back east, gaining more self-confidence, Ted the cat, my family, Marc, and so much more. I will not go and describe the many blessings that this year has given me, but I am incredibly thankful for what has been placed in my hand.

This year for the holidays, we travelled to Long Island to spend Thanksgiving with his cousins, Barry, Liz, Beth, Jen, and Lynn. It was super nice to have a relaxing holiday with his family! We also tried out a new cookie recipe that everyone seemed to enjoy!

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving and holiday!

TheChristybel

Tuckered Out From Turkey Day Travelling

TheChristyBel Tuckered Out From the Turkey Day Traveling
Photo Credit to Marc Sweet
Found This Gem on His Phone - He Took It Before We Left Boulder to Head Back to Laramie
When He Picked Me Up From the Denver Airport

Stay Beautiful, Philly!

My Thanksgiving Break was too short, literally, too short. I was only able to indulge in a fraction of its beauty for about 36-hours. But it was worth it. Being able to spend time with my family, my home, my wonderful little state, and of course, my bed, was incredibly worth the short time I was able to get a taste of home. As I sit here in the airport waiting for my flight back to Denver, I was able to gaze at a wonderful sunrise. Philly, you are incredibly beautiful. Sure, the Tetons and the Wyoming landscape brings wonderful sunrises, but there will always be something more about Philly's sunrise that just makes me so incredibly happy! I cannot wait to see you again, Philly, in 19-days! Stay beautiful!

TheChristyBel

A Philly Sunrise Waiting for My Flight Back to the Forever West!

Delays, Delays, Delays

Oh, you know...just stuck in Denver right now, waiting for my flight to stop being delayed.

Philly, we're so close to seeing each other.

Don't lose hope!

There's no place like east coast home!

TheChristyBel

A Vail Thanksgiving

So, as you all know, I decided to go to Vail, Colorado for the Thanksgiving Holiday Break with one of my fellow grads from TSS, Mandy.  We had a blast in this ski-town!  Mandy was able to ski her heart out all week.  I did partake in skiing a few times during the seven days we were in Vail, but I was also able to do some sight-seeing, relaxing at the library, and enjoy being a tourist.

The town of Vail is really pretty.  In the downtown area, there are a lot of resorts and hotels intermingled at the foot of the slopes, not to mention many top brand boutiques and shops.  I could not help but take photos of the buildings!  Also, this town is pretty on the pricey side.  Vail is a top ski town and attracts many top skiers and international folk, and well, people that have a lot of money.  Phil was telling me that an average family of four pay on average $22,000, I believe per week on a vacation here.  I was shocked!  I guess after thinking about it, that includes ski passes, lessons, equipment rentals, hotel rooms, food, and the list I bet goes on!  But other than the top prices, the quality of life, scene, and recreation is top-notch and worth every penny.

Not only was this an apartment complex, but there was a skating rink!

I love the cobbly-stoned walkway streets!

Very pretty

Interesting Art!

Skating Rink!

I loved this nature-scape gate!  Want!

Another skating rink!

Thanksgiving was definitely different from my family Thanksgiving events.  Mostly because mine are spent with my family and relatives, where as this Vail Thanksgiving was a family of wonderful friends.  A huge potluck was held at Mandy's boyfriend's house, where everyone pitched in a brought a dish to share.  By the peak of the festivities, Mandy had counted about 30 people eating dinner with all of us!  It was crazy!  Very fun!

Mandy's 'Happy Chicken Egg' Chocolate Chip Cookies

Mandy decided to help prepare chocolate chip cookies and vegan gravy.  By the time it was my turn to prepare something, everyone was already bringing a dish, so I helped Mandy prep her food and pitched it for dinner supplies and ingredients for the boys in the main foods they were preparing for the dinner.

Thanksgiving Morning: Nothing Like Having Some Lox & Shmear!

Thanksgiving morning, Mandy and the crew decided to go skiing, so I went to one of the cafe's in town and had some a coastal fixing of salmon and shmear!  I am so missing oceanic food...haha. Cannot wait to go home for some sushi and fish! haha.

Traditional Knitting on Thanksgiving

When we all got back to the house to start preparing for the festivities, I pulled out my knitting and continued to finish a scarf on the new circular needles I purchased.  Tried on the new basket weave stitching, and let me tell you, I finished it and it looks awesome!

Shot-Ski!

That night I partook in my first 'shot-ski!'  This was an intense shot!  Basically, there are seven shot glasses on a ski and you all have to take the shot all at the same time!  So crazy!

Lots of Food!

The food was really delicious!  There was so much food!  We definitely had a lot of food left over as well.  The menu consisted of: a roasted turkey, a bar-be-que chicken, a fried chicken, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato fries, lots of awesome salad, sweet potato marshmallow dish, green beans, asparagus, corn bread, rolls, and gravys.  Delicious!

And Turkey!

So for a Thanksgiving away from home, was pretty awesome.  Although I did miss being at home, doing the traditional dinner with my family, trying something new was a great change for me.  I had a blast with a huge group of awesome people!

East Coast Represent: Dewey Beach in Bart & Yetti's Bar, Vail CO!

Thanksgiving in Vail was awesome!
Only three more weeks of class then I get to come home for the holidays!  Pretty Excited!

Stepping Foot on the East Coast in 19 days!
TheChristyBel

What Are You Thankful For?

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  Gratitude makes sense of our past, bring peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.

-Melody Beattie

 

Within the past year, so much has happened, and I know that the year is not even over and who knows what the last month will hold, but there is already so much that I am incredibly grateful and thankful for!  Thankful for the strength of overcoming so many challenges and upsets, confidence to pursue a dream of going back to school, the courage to adventure to places I am unsure and unfamiliar with, and proud of the loved ones I have in friends and family that are incredibly supportive and just wonderful people to have in my life.  So incredibly thankful and blessed.

Thankful for a wonderful program in a field I love.

Thankful to be currently living in a beautiful and magical place.

Thankful for the adventures we have been able to journey on.

Thankful to have met a wonderful group of people in the Tetons!

Thankful for a wonderful family back home that I cannot wait to see so soon!
And of course, a huge extension of friends that are also called family!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.

-Native American Saying

Love,

TheChristyBel

East Coast Countdown Has Begun:

See You in 21 Days.  :)

New Patterned Pants

I would like to take the opportunity to Thank Mandy, a fellow TSS Graduate, on introducing me to BSkinz.com and the wonderful world of their Patterned Pants.

My New Tribal Patterned Pants from BSkinz.com.

Patterned Pants Every Damn Day!

TheChristyBel

A First Time: Skiing

Never would I ever think that TheChristyBel would consider trying to ski.  I mean, through 18+ years of dance, there was never a thought that crossed my mind that I would put on a pair of skis and go down a mountain.  Until November 2013!  So crazy to think!

So for Thanksgiving Break, I did not venture back to the East Coast.  Although I am missing it terribly and so much right now, I think I did the right choice and decided to try and journey somewhere new.

A fellow TSS graduate, Mandy, invited me to visit her boyfriend and friends in Vail, Colorado.  Knowing this place is a huge ski town, I was mentally prepared and ready to at least TRY this winter sport that is such the craze out here in the west! SKIING!  Please, pray for me right now.

On Sunday morning, I grabbed my snow pants and jacket, a hat, gloves, and a discount coupon from Mandy's boyfriend and we went to the slope!  Incredibly thankful for the discount coupon for a lift ticket, borrowing one of her boyfriend's friend's boots and skis, and a generous-free ski lesson from her boyfriend, I was able to dish out 'pennies' compared to what a normal person would pay to get onto the mountain.  So incredibly grateful to try this sport out at a smaller fee than the usual.

Lionshead Vail, CO.
Yes, I skiied down this...not gracefully, but survived!

Not going to lie, I was really nervous...ok, I lied again, I was terrified!  I mean, sure there is a dancer in that body somewhere, but still I am incredibly clumsy, not balanced or coordinated to tackle on huge skis to a tiny ChristyBel.  Holy moly!

TheChristyBel Ready to Ride Up the Gondola and Get a Lesson.

Riding up the 7-minute gondola ride, I prepped my boots, my poles, and said a last-minute prayer!  Haha.

Traveling Up the Mountain!

Very cool way to travel up compared to the lift seats.

Mandy's boyfriend had me learn at first with one ski on, then alternate to the other, then with both to get the feel for the skis on the snow and the slightest slope.  Then it was time to try it on the 'bunny slope,' not to mention, without poles.  It was pretty fun actually!  Although incredibly scary and nerve-wrecking, I learned how to 'wedge, lift, turn, stomp' and of course the 'pizza, french fry' techniques.

Documented: First Time TheChristyBel is on Skis.
Never Would Have Dreamed This Day Would Come.

Going down the beginner, bunny slopes for half the day was perfect...I totally did not want to try anything remotely more challenging.  However, Mandy and Phil did have me go down the mountain on the green circle courses.  And well, it was not at all dancer-like graceful, and I may have toppled and run into the banks a few times, but I survived down the mountain.

Attempting to Use Poles Going Down the Mountain.

Incredibly Thankful for Two Patient Friends Helping Me Down.
Hope They Were Entertained By Me that Day!

My Learning Environment.

So they also let me try to work on what I had learned by myself.  So while they went down a few runs, I remained on the bunny hill trying to just get a hang of having skis on and working on turns.  My left turn is pretty solid....however, my right turn: not so much.  Still working on it!

Going Up the Ski Lift to Try Again!

Lots of People to Watch Out For...Aka, Me Not Run into Them!

Overall, even though I may have toppled, tumbled, twisted, and challenged my body to a new sport, I had a blast learning to ski!  I definitely am contemplating trying to find some used skis and boots to have when I go back to Jackson.  All smiles for the most part too!  Maybe I almost cried when going down the mountain, but overall, all smiles!  I definitely want to try to keep this up!

All Smiles Learning to Ski!

Danny, Robert, and I About to Ski Back to Eagles Nest

Thanks to Mandy and her boyfriend, I had a great time learning to ski and incredibly grateful for the help and connections!

Mandy & I Being Ski Bunnies!

Survived and Conquered...and not going to lie, kinda hooked!
TheChristyBel