Ski Trip - Breckenridge and Keystone- 2010

Over this past spring break, we traveled to Silverthorne, Colorado for a week of skiing at Breckenridge and Keystone. We didn't go last year since Harbor was only a few months old, but at 16 months, he made the car ride just fine and had a fun time. It was nice to relax with friends and family. We shared a cabin with 11 people- our cabin was big and comfy and we really felt like we were on vacation.  : )

Arkansas- 6:00 a.m. ready to roll..

On the road....

We arranged to pick Ashley, Rachel's roommate, up at the Denver airport. She flew in from Florida and it was fun getting to reunite with her. We also met up with Chase and Blake, friends of the girls', who were driving down from Omaha, Nebraska.

My parents and David all own their own skiis and boots, but I still rent mine. David bought a pair of skiis for me, but they ended up being too long. I honestly have come to love rentals over the years.. I love the K2 and Atomic brands.

Rachel and Ashley at the cabin the first night there...

My granny, Aunt Cathy and Uncle Tim were kind enough to keep Harbor for us the first full day so that we could ski a day in Breckenridge. It is a beautiful resort with a great transportaion system of free gondolas that carry you all the way to the summit. For people who don't ski, these gondolas are a great way to get to the lodge at the summit and socialize without having to worry about how to get down.  : )

My mom and dad ski, which is lots of fun. Mom always carries a camera on the slopes, so I love having her share her camera chip with me.

Some of our crew at Breckenridge....

My dad and I...

My mom and I...

Our cabin from the road....

Lots of snacks to eat on the lifts....

Harbor did such an amazing job of being flexible on this trip...

Chase and Blake

On Day two, we took Harbor with us to Keystone for a few family pictures. He rode the gondola up to the summit with us (which made me a nervous wreck, but he was totally safe) and we were able to take him to Keystone's ice castle.

Harbor is ready to rock and roll!

I LOVE Keystone.... such a quaint resort and very family friendly.

With Harbor there, we were able to take a few four generation pictures since my Granny went with us.

Waiting to board the gondola to ride to the summit.

After a five minute cable ride, we arrive at the summit for family pictures...

Heading back down to hand Harbor off to family so we can ski Keystone for a few hours. This night, my mom, David, and a few other members stayed for their night skiing. It was very cold after the snow picked up and hard to see, but it was beautiful.

Getting geared up to ski...  ski boots= ultimate discomfort

David and I head down a trail....

My wonderful parents.. I think they are so cute!

The snow is really picking up here.....

David was able to get cell reception at the top of the mountain and took a work call from back in Arkansas.

We skiied another day in Keystone, but my parents stayed at the cabin and kept Harbor, so I unfortunately don't have any pictures from the slopes that day.

David always celebrates a birthday during spring break. I think he is pretty lucky to be able to ski on his birthday.. this year he turned 29 and we celebrated with a surprise party of cheesecake in the cabin. He always acts surprised every year we have a surprise party, but he knows it is coming. Ha, ha!

Singing Happy Birthday!

I ended up feeling really sick the last day we were there.... everyone though it was altitue sickness. David and my mom and aunt took Harbor shopping in Keystone and Brecekenridge while I slept in. It was a nice treat!

When they got back, I felt super sick and David was concerned, so he took me to a medical clinic in Silverthorne. After my nose swab, the doctor kept his distance and informed me I had Influenza type A. Fabulous.  I was given a little face mask, Tamiflu, and instructions to keep my distance. This was impossible since we driving home the next day with no hotel stops. I'm so thankful Harbor is an easy baby... I sat in the back by the car seat and rested the entire way home. Harbor was happy and content all 14 hours, which is nothing short of a miracle. My Granny kept him entertained and I am grateful for her help... I ended up taking Monday off from work to make sure I wasn't going to spread germs and then went back on Tuesday. Missing work really stresses me out since it is so easy to get behind, but I needed the rest.

We had a great time and made some wonderful family memories with Harbor!

Benchmark testing is next week and I have been busy wrapping up and reviewing frameworks. I have arrnaged for a published children's book author and illustrator to come and speak next week and cannot wait!

We had a  lovely Easter.. hopefully I will find the time post those pictures as well.....

David is leaving Friday to go out of all town all weekend, so Harbor and I are hoping for nice, summerish weather.

The following weekend is our 9 year anniversary and David has a surprsie trip overnight somwhere cooked up. He made arrangements with my mom to keep Harbor. She is in on the surprise, but I am clueless about where we are going or what to pack. David is super good at keeping secrets, so I know he won't slip and tell me anything until we are on our way.  He promises it will be very relaxing and romantic, so I am curious as to what he has planned.  : ) I feel very lucky to have married such a planner. He always makes an effort to keep the magic in our marriage.

I hope you and your family are healthy and happy. This weather- warm and full of sunshine- is sure to put anyone in a good mood.  : ) Take care!

March Comes in Like a Lion

A few weekends ago, David and I treated my entire family to dinner at Olive Garden for helping us move out of our house so quickly. We love their salad and Harbor has developed a taste for black olives, so it is a great place for us to take him.

My parents also recently hosted a birthday party for my grandmother, Joyce. We had ice cream and Italian Cream Cake. It is always fun to spend time with our regular "crew".  : )

Harbor is 16 months old and getting funnier every day. He really has a great sense of humor and a perfect belly-laugh once he gets tickled. We love entertaining him, though he usually ends up entertaining us. He is talking a bit more- saying "momma, bye-bye, fish, and good." He still does his animal sounds, but is also babbling a little bit more. He is very agressive- already kicking balls, stacking blocks, and separating toys in containers.

After looking through these pictures, it seems my parents hosted a plethora of events this past month! They also had the crew over last weekend for a Ski Trip 2010 meeting to discuss our upcoming visit to Keystone and Breckenridge. My dad is a lot ike me- type A personality. He had a typed itenerary for every person going with driving directions, times and departure cities, and even a finalized menu for every night at the cabin. He also had a DVD slideshow compiled to show everyone our driving routes and what we can expect to see along the way. With Harbor going, we have decided to drive and take it slow, taking two full days to get to our cabin. We are picking up Ashley in Denver at the airport and meeting up with two of the girls' friends, Blake and Chase, who are driving in from Omaha. We will have a crowd, but that, to me, is what makes skiing fun. Though we have no intentions of putting Harbor on skiis, we have ski goggles for him for some photo ops when we get there. David also bought me some new skiis this year, but i'm a bit hesitant to use them. David and my parents own their own skis and boots and I am the only one who rents every year. I know it is a pain for them to stop to let me rent when they have what they need loaded and ready to go. But the skiis David bought are really long and skinny- I prefer the wider, curved ski rental types. : ) I'm not sure if I will like the new skiis or not. Does any one else ski on the "real" skinny skis?

We have been spending lots of time playing at the park- there was one week we went four days in a row. Harbor is at the perfect age to slide and really enjoy it, but the weather has, unfortunately, turned off cold again.

Many of you have asked about our future plans for finding a new place to live. We are currently staying with my parents since Harbor already has a fully operable nursery and my mom keeps him for me anyway during the work week. The room that HW uses opens to a Jack-and-Jill bathroom and they have an empty guest room which ajoins. It is a great space for us. With Benchmark testing around the corner, this is the busiest time of year for me. We have decided to stay put and keep life simple with summer approaching, and when school starts back, make a decision about buying or building. David wants to build again, but I would love the convenience of finding something move-in ready. After the stress of moving and selling so quickly, we have mutually agreed to have a nice summer with Harbor and then look at our options. Thanks to all who have expressed interest in our little family. : )

April is our 9 year anniversary, May is the last full month of school, and then summer begins! Things are happy and content, and I am excited about flipflops, jean capris, big sunglasses, and breaking out the swim diapers. : )