skootch.

This may be the best performing US Ski Team ever.

When Lindsey Vonn won her gold medal in the Women's Downhill in Vancouver, the Obsessive Skier got all choked up like the dad on that old Chevy Suburban commercial (you know, the one where he has flashbacks to all the ski races he drove his little girl to in the family's old suburban, remember?).

Julia Mancuso has been medaling like a feminine banshee.

Andrew Weibrecht came up strong in the Men's Super-G with a bronze that the Obsessive Skier did not expect.

And to top it all off, Bode Miller is growing up and focusing on his racing this year. His gold medal performance in today's super combined has caused The Obsessive Skier to reflect and say: "This may be the best performing US Ski Team ever."

I'm definitely going to be cheering on Ted Ligety during Tuesday's Men's Giant Slalom. Let's go "Shred"! Beat Ben Reich!

Congratulations, Hannah Kearney!

She's the first American to win gold at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Congratulations, Hannah Kearney!

For a full recap, visit the Vancouver Sun's website.

The mountains rose.

Psalm 104:8 - "The mountains rose, the valleys sank down
to the place that you appointed for them."

Beautiful sunrise this morning. Couldn't help but take a detour to one of my favorite overlooks along Highway 128 as the sun broke over the eastern horizon. Fresh snow on the plains and up the Flatirons all the way to the Continental Divide. What a joy it is to be alive and to enjoy God's creation.

Jimmie Huega died today.

Who is Jimmie Huega? He was one of the first Americans to win an Olympic medal in alpine skiing. He died today at the Balfour Center in Louisville, Colorado. I had no idea that one of my heroes was living so close to where I live.

Father, I pray for Jimmie Huega's family and friends as they grieve. Thank you that because of Jesus none of us need to grieve without hope of eternal life in Him. Amen.

Reading Rocks!

Happy Groundhog Day!

When I was in kindergarten, my best friend was named David. He lived about 5 houses down our street and his mom was a bit eccentric. On February 1, 1977, when we got off the school bus taking us home from Mrs. Berry's afternoon Kindergarten class, David's mom told me and David to hang brown socks on our fireplace mantels so that The Great Groundhog would come and fill our socks with treats. At first I was skeptical, having never heard of this Groundhog Day Eve tradition. But being the risk-takers that we were, David and I put our socks up that night. And on the morning of February 2, 1977...WE GOT STUFF! Awesomeness.

I told my kids that story last night, and encouraged them to hang up their own brown socks for The Great Groundhog. As you can see, HE CAME!

Happy Groundhog Day!