The trip to Winter Park went really, really well. Many thanks to Laurie, Melissa, Freddy and Carol for making it such a special day. Em now has an autographed "Freddy Mooney" poster to add to her collection. Laurie gave Em a great camelback water botter complete with "Snow Princess," "Powder Princess," and "USSA" stickers. It's great! We had a great little picnic at the base of Winter Park - Emily was so happy to be there! We also saw other friends, which was great, and Hannah got to golf, maze and bungee jump. A good time was had by all. I think going back up to WP was more emotional for Ken and me than we'd expected, but still it was a good day. Em's determined to talk to her doctor on Wednesday about getting back on the mountain, even if that means a sit-ski for the first couple of months. I agree with Laurie that getting Em on the mountain could be the biggest motivator.

After our big day we came home, had take-out and ... crashed. It's amazing how tired we all are from an outing. Today we got up nice and fresh. Em did most of her PT exercises with Ken (I helped with a few), and then Em read the new Harry Potter while Ken walked the dogs and I worked out. A nice little bit of independence with a net (Hannah was available to come get me if Em needed anything). Then we headed off to see Pirates of the Carribean 3 at the $1 movie theater. It was fun that we got to see it on the big screen and fulfill our family pledge that no one got to see it before Emily.

Nice family dinner at home with a tired Em in bed by 8:00 (watching "Angel" on DVD - the last season with Spike).

I know Jamie in Providence reads this blog - personal notes are coming, but I wanted to say that the cookies were so sweet, but the special cd mix was incredible. I keep trying not to cry in front of Em, and then thoughtful people like you send her incredibly special notes and I lose it. I hope Jay is doing well - please know you're both in our prayers.

Today is the one-year anniversary of my rupturing my achilles. Ken dubbed it the "last day of the worst year, and the first day of the best year." Good thoughts.