Bear Valley epic day

Since Monday was a day off for the kids, we decided to check out Bear Valley slopes. We found the ski resort covered by almost a foot of fresh powder with no body in sight.
We started slowly by going down the lower mountain following the snow valley track. After few runs, we headed to the Grizzly and made an epic descent.

Grizzly has only black diamond runs which cannot be groomed.

Lucas warming up on Snow Valley.

Searching for the powder off track from Snow Valley.

Benoit and Lucas about to drop down Grizzly.

Pictionary party

Isabelle and Francois came to play Pictionary with the kids.

Lucas teamed up with Francois. Lucas is lefty but with a regular stance (snowboard) where Benoit is righty with a goofy stance (lefty). Go wonder!

Duo violin and guitar

Lucas has just started violin since He wanted to play in duo with his brother Benoit.

Benoit learning the chords.

Benoit turns 8

Benoit has just turned eight years old. We bought the birthday cake at Gayle bakery. Benoit got yet another Lego box.

Mars Mission.

Christmas party

Since Santa Claus could not come at Bear Valley during our skiing trip, He left nice Lego toys at our home for our return.

Benoit finally got the Destroyer.

Happy face.

Lucas trying to make some sens to those pile of Lego.

Castle Rock secret place boudering

Mark Cisco discovered that "secret spot" at Castle Rock about 3 years ago. I could not find the place so Rob kindly gave us a tour about 2 months ago. We probably climb about new 15 problems and have a couple of unfinished business and in particular the prow Atari.

Brian warming up.

Rob traversing the arete.

PG with Jeff and Eric

Jeff, 2007 most improved.

Smart phones should be banned from PG :)

Planet Granite

During lunch break, we are getting some fun climbing on plastic holds. Brian, Eric, Pete and more have been climbing together for a long time now.

Brian unimpressed by the prow.

Good balance.

Pete dropping that knee.

Eric on that nasty black V4.

New Year's Eve

Francois was not done setting his camera. Next time :)

Connex Master

Jedi Luc Skywalker.

Jedi Ben Kenobi.

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Our new living room

Feel just like home, sweet home :)

Brian sending Domino Theory

Brian and I spend our Saturday afternoon at Castle Rock. We first warmed up at the Magoos area with about one thousand climber. We soon moved to the Graveyard area with Steve who was visiting from Utah.

Brian sending the Domino Theory V4.

Steve sending The Domino V2.

Brian sequence on Domino Theory (click the photo to start the sequence of 17 photos).

Apple Tart

Apple tart with Calvados, so much better than pecan pie.

Thanksgiving III

Helena and Helena, best shot so far :)

TV can be scary.

Lucas.

Thanksgiving II

Helena and Magda.

Claire and Eddie.

Thomas and Andrea.

Thanksgiving dinner I

Thomas invited Eddie, Andrea and us for the Thanksgiving dinner. He prepared the delicious turkey, Andrea brought the wine, Eddie the pumpkin pie and we brought the breads and pecan tart.

Thomas is taking care of the turkey.

Eddie and Thomas are best friend.

Miam, miam.

Nice table.

Claire's new car

Since your 1992 Toyota Tercel was giving up after 200 000 miles, Claire has bought her new car, a Subaru all wheels drive, which should come handy when the snow comes.

Claire posing at Scotts Valley.

Lucas's soccer game

Check new photos of Lucas play soccer here .

Lucas is swimming

Tiffany has been instructing swimming for many years and taught Benoit how to swim.

Lucas getting started.

Lucas blowing bubbles.

Kicking.

And more kicking.

Twister Sister ABS contest

Benoit and I have registered to the ABS (American Bouldering Series). Benoit participated at one contest already, at Planet Granite (Sunnyvale). We went for the second contest at Mountain view. Since I needed to be there, I also climbed in the Master category.
Lucas did not want to watch us, so He decided to climb as well. He must have been the youngest competitor there.

The contest turned out to be fun. They put more than 160 routes for all abilities, the more difficult the climb, the higher the score. We will get the ranking soon (I'll keep you updated).

Lucas both relaxed and composed while following my indications.

Benoit looking strong.

Big holds, big moves, just what I like.