Ski Breck!

Due to everyone's schedules this year we planned our ski trip for January -- with Sadie and Olivia's birthdays right smack in the middle of the fun. Everyone was slated to come, including our very favorite Aunt Kristine, and we were counting down the days to all the fun.

And then Kathleen's baby ended up on oxygen and wasn't allowed to join us up in the mountains. We were all so sad, especially since we were dying to meet Elizabeth. Somehow we still managed to enjoy ourselves.

Actually, truth be told, the beginning was not fun. We flew into Denver and then drove over to Breckenridge. By the time we got there everyone was dehydrated, sick of traveling and starving. But first we had to get all our ski rentals. There are no words to describe the awful-ness of getting ski rentals for 6 people and then carrying it all to the car. Especially when they're hungry, cold and tired.

And to top it off, poor Nate came down with altitude sickness and threw up all night.

But we got food and finally were reunited with our family and all was well.

Knowing that we had to be up early the next day for a full day of skiing, Kristine did a great job of playing games and keeping all of the kids up all night.

 Everyone was excited to get out on the slopes and the little kids were especially excited to see Ms. Sarah, their ski instructor, again. She is not only the master of getting the skiing, but also an angel.

The kids went straight up to the top of the mountain and had some great runs. When we met up with them for lunch they were having the best time. About an hour before the lift shuts down for the end of the day, Sarah texted me this picture.

Now if you know Luke, you know he *never* sleeps. Never. Luckily we were near the lodge, so we popped in to check on him. Just a few minutes after I took him off of her lap, Luke puked all over the floor and table in front of us. He, too, fell victim to altitude sickness. I was actually amazed at how calmly everyone reacted to his throw up. The instructors must see a lot because no one even moved away from us. Luke and Dustin took a ride back down the mountain in the chair lift and went home for the day.

After that it was smooth sailing for the rest of the trip. Everyone was happy and healthy and we spent every second skiing that we could.

The little girls had an extra good time because it was also their BIRTHDAYS!! Olivia's was first and we celebrated with cake!

 The very next day was Sadie's birthday and we had. . . more cake!

She asked for scriptures for her birthday and has faithfully been reading them every night since. She started with Genesis.

 The best part of having your birthday on ski week is that every time they scan your lift ticket, it sings you a happy birthday song!

The kids also loved the sledding hill right by the house.

Making snow angels was not as successful.

And then when they were done in the snow, they headed straight for the hot tub.

The very last day we let the big kids be our ski instructors and take us down some of their favorite runs. It was definitely an adventure, complete with moguls and tree runs. We survived!!

 

 I never want to leave a vacation, much less a ski vacation, but luckily my parents decided to officially retire to Breckenridge, so I know we will have many more years of fun!