Feb 2013- Utah Ski Heaven

Hi all,

There was a big lead-up to it.  The kids- especially Rin- have been excited for MONTHS.  And finally the day was here.  The alarm sounded at 4am and we were up out of bed like a shot.  So OK, anyone who knows me knows that’s a lie.  I pushed the snooze button until almost 5 and then freaked out that we were going to miss the plane.  But no, we got on it in plenty of time and were headed to see some snow, some family, and have lots and lots of fun.   We were off to The Best Snow on Earth and the home of my mom, Utah.

Arriving at exactly the same time on a different flight was our nephew, Sam.  His first solo vacation I think and most definitely his first solo flight and he was nothing but excited to be there.  We met up with him and Grandma Shay and got some lunch and as we were chowing on some good Mexican food and the cousins were cousin-ing it up when Aunt Kate and Uncle Jason called to let us know that they had also arrived and they met up with us.  Some food later, we found our bags and were off to gorgeous Park City.  It was fun to be in the car with Nephew Sam because it was the first time he had seen mountains like this.  They were behind clouds for a while (ok, smog) and we told him to keep an eye out for giant mountains and he informed us that, “I’ve seen mountains.”  And we just waited.  And once he saw MOUNTAINS, his jaw was on the floor.  Big, snow-covered, towering mountains.  I loved being there for the first time. 

And once we got to the condo, the kids of course went straight for the snow.  Rolling, throwing, digging, sliding and just about anything they could do with it until they tumbled back into the house breathless and begging for some hot chocolate.  I mean, there is snow and then there is Utah snow.  It’s just fun all around. 

The big boys did ski school first 2 days and they loved every second of it.  Rin continued his love of skiing and begging to ski even longer once ski school was done.  And Sam went right along with him.  They skied their little hearts out.  I think Sam really enjoyed it and Rin loved having another kid along who could keep up. 

But our poor little Bek was feeling a bit left out.  “My go skiing?” he kept asking.  So, we had no choice but give into his cuteness and get him all geared up for a day on the slopes.  Everyone ooohed and aaahed over him and his teeny tiny skis- of course, who wouldn’t’?  He’s so darn cute- while I waited down at the lodge because I knew it wouldn’t last long.  And I got about 1 hour to enjoy a coffee and some downtime before my phone started to ring and I heard Peter’s voice saying, “OK, he’s done.  Where are you?”  But I swear it was worth it to rent all that equipment and get him all bundled up just to see the cutest little barely 3 year old attempting his first skiing.  Adorable doesn’t even come close to describing it.  All the hard-core skiers gave me the big thumbs up for getting him started early.    

I think the boys were pretty tolerant of little Bek’s slow pace.  But I have a feeling they were happy to be done with him because these boys are speed demons.  They want nothing but to see who can get to the bottom the fastest.  I think Grandma Shay was assuming that Sam at least would be tentative on his first ski experience but once he got his ski legs, he was off.    

After a few days we traded out people.  We said goodbye to Kate and Jason and hello to Ted and fam.  Before long Osk and Bek were hanging out like bff’s and enjoyed a trip to the park for some attempted sledding.  Well, ok so Oscar was not actually all that into it but it was fun anyway.  And there’s really nothing better than a house full of boys.  One night they even all had a boy party with Grandma Shay while all us parents went out for some pretty fantastic Thai food.    

Despite the 4am wakeups, the inevitable kid clashes, it was a blast and we are already looking forward to doing it again. 

Love to all, -m

And it was only by looking at the photos that I realized there are none of Aunt Kate and Uncle Jason.  Guess they were tearing it up on the slopes while I was stuck in the house with the wee one and my camera.  Next year, guys, next year.  We'll all tear it up.