We left on Thursday and arrived to a very warm Colorado later that night. We stayed with Aunt Tracy, Uncle Stan and cousins Casey and Garrett for all 10 ten days that we were away. Needless to say, their hospitality was incredible and it was nice to spend quality time with family that lives so far away.
Unseasonably warm weather made for some interesting snow conditions and wardrobe choices. On Friday, Jack took a half day of ski lessons at Arapahoe Basin (A-Basin) and Lily skied for the day with Marcy and me.
On Saturday, Jack did a full day of lessons at Keystone and his skiing improved so much it was hard to believe it was the same kid that cried at drop off! He had a great teacher and really had a good time with his classmates. He went from the bunny slope on Friday to green runs by Monday!
On Sunday, Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom arrived for the week. They stayed until Friday and helped with the kids on and off the mountain. They drove all the across the country for the visit so Ivan the dog was able to come with them.
Really, really late Sunday, Aunt Kelly arrived having also driven across country for a visit. She brought new pup Bodie along. That first night was rough as Bodie recovered from being in the car for several hours by serenading all of us with barks and yips until he and Kelly were banished to the basement bedroom for the rest of their stay. Tom and Gail ended up rooming with Lily and Casey as Jack had already decamped from his bed to a spot next to his mother! It all worked out for the best.
On Monday, on limited sleep, we headed back out to the slopes at Keystone. The Vail resorts had some great deals on skiing since it was the end of the year and three of us got to ski at two for one prices. Jack enjoyed his last year of free skiing. The kids skied with the grownups and continued to improve. Jack has to be discouraged from bombing straight down the mountain - he is completely fearless and despite some awesome tumbles, he has a need for speed ... something that will be watched closely as he gets close to driving age.
On Tuesday, we headed back out to Keystone (which seems to be our favorite place to ski) and enjoyed another day of skiing in 50 - 65 degree weather. The mountain was a bit slushy in parts and they have had a terrible snow winter but we had a great time. It is nice not to have to layer up and freeze every time up the chair lift as we have during previous January/February visits.
On Wednesday, Lily and Jack spent the day together at Breckenridge's ski school. They had a great time in their classes and got a chance to do some skiing with kids their age. Jack did get in trouble once for not following the line of kids turning and going straight down the hill. That being said, his level of progress from Friday to Wednesday was amazing. Lily is turning into quite the little skier as well. She is performing beautiful turns down steep blue runs and is able to get up all by herself when she falls. She is a great leader down the mountain for her brother and little cousin and she sets a great example. Due to a miscommunication between me and Grandma Gail, Lil also had a chance to ride a small lift by herself and she did a great job getting on and off without assistance. She is turning into a big kid! - where has the time gone?
On Thursday morning we finished out our week of skiing with a half day at A-Basin. The kids were a bit tired so after a couple of hours they went home with Grandpa Tom and Marcy and I had a chance to take a couple more runs. During the afternoon we headed over to Copper Mountain for an hour of tubing down the mountain. We all had a great time and enjoyed spinning and rocketing down the hill in inner tubes!
On Friday, Tom and Gail and Kelly headed out. Tom and Gail (and Ivan) started their drive back to Virginia and Kelly (and Bodie) were off to visit some friends in Vail. Our clan and Tracy and Casey and Garrett headed out for our own adventure to Hot Sulpher Springs, Colorado to check out the ... hot sulpher springs. It was an interesting visit ... on the plus side, we can all check that place off our list of hot springs to visit and the kids can say they swam/relaxed in egg smelling water. And no, Garrett did not go in the water!
On Saturday, we all went on hike up to the old Dillon Reservoir. The kids got to collect some sticks and rocks and to see some amazing views of the Rockies. Tracy and Stan live in a beautiful part of the country and we are very lucky to have such a welcoming family to visit. The day was finished off with some play time outside and Easter egg decorating by the kids.
Sunday featured an early wake up call from Jack who was excited to get his easter basket and to look for eggs. All three kids had a great time and scored some fun stuff from the Grand Bunny! After a nice breakfast at the Arapahoe Cafe down the street from Tracy and Stan, we headed home to pack and to leave for the airport.
We had a great time in Colorado and loved visiting with family and snow. Tracy, Stan, Casey and Garrett were incredibly generous with their time and home ... they put up with us for 10 days (and we can make a mess - but we do clean up!). They handled the invasion with aplomb and we all feel fortunate to have such an amazing place to crash once a year!
Oh, one more thing ... I would be remiss if I did not mention how incredibly well we ate all week. (I think I gained at least 10 pounds!). Among other things, Tracy whipped up a great taco night, a spaghetti dinner, an amazing chipotle taco special, and a chocolate cake or two. Marcy made her special corn flake chicken (a family favorite) with slightly new twist one night. Aunt Kelly made a feast one evening of bruschetta, salad, gnocchi with home made pumpkin sauce and some amazing pumpkin chocolate muffins. On Saturday night, Stan helped send us off with some fantastic home made spare ribs that smoked/cooked all afternoon.
On to the pictures and video - there are a lot of each so put your feet back and drink in as much or as little as you would like.
Jack getting comfortable on skis on day one at A-Basin.
Jack on the bunny slope on day 1.
Improving.
Eating some cake.
Lily and Casey moving the skis towards the gondola.
Jack on his way to some post ski school ice cream.
Jack and Garrett.
Grandparents and Grandkids.
The whole gang skiing at Keystone.
Lily doing tricks with Grandpa Tom.
Lily, Kelly and Bodie.
Marcy and Garrett.
Casey and Jack getting a push from Grandma Gail.
Jack and Casey swimming about.
Tubing at Copper.
In the tube.
Showing off some pre-Easter animals and ears.
On the mountain.
Jack and Marcy.
Casey, Lily and Jack.
Riding the gondola at Breckenridge.
Tubing at Copper Mountain.
At the hot springs.
On the hike.
With Lake Dillon behind.
Dying some eggs.
Checking out some bounty on Sunday morning.
