New Orleans and Meat Retreat (same weekend) then IF:Gathering then Skiing in Vail w/ O & R - now can you see why its been 2 months since my last post?
In many ways it was the
same trip as last year. Maggie got to stay home and have one-on-one attention from each of her Austin grandparents and Kyle and I hit the air with the big 2. We left on the Friday before Valentine's Day and Southwest Airlines had this little booth set up to take your photo (for free, with your own phone) at bagage check-in). Off we go!
Rebecca being Rebecca on the shuttle to get the rental car.
We stayed at the same place as last year (for Kyle's same antesthesia meeting) - it was nice to know the lay of the land. And in our favorite little place to play in the snow we found huge pieces of ice leftover from some sort of ice sculpture (probably from a recent wedding or something) - it made a great fort for snowball fights - except we only had one and it was pretty easy just to lob them over even with the hole we dug out on the other side. Oh well, the kids still loved it.
Rebecca's snow heart - which she'll tell you she ate.
In the fort.
Our first night there (after driving in from Denver) we got all our ski gear rentals fitted and taken care of - Rebecca fell asleep during the process. The next morning at breakfast Owen was so exited he age wearing his helmet and goggles.
Our first day to ski was sunny and relatively warm - perfect if you ask me and the kids. The second day we got seriously dumped on. All the powder hounds were like "yippee - snow!!!," but I was like "oh man! I can't see anything!!!"
This is ski school - its pretty far up the mountain - accessible only by gondola. School was NOT cancelled. Take that, TX.
The end of day two. Owen is hanging in there pretty well. Rebecca and I were pooped (I did two half-days of lessons too - with Jenny - the quintessential old hippie ski instructor who of course has plans to move to Austin for the off-season.)
Owen still happy, while Rebecca couldn't even stand up anymore.
Asleep on the shuttle bus back to our hotel.
Rebecca and I went straight up to our room to warm up - Owen and Kyle played a little more in the snow. Wild Kratz fans out there: see Owen keeping warm in the subnivean zone.
Okay, day 3 was still really really cold and snowed off and on, but nothing like day 2. Even so, Rebecca and I were done. She was possibly even running a little fever the night before but it didn't seem to last. So, Kyle and Owen hit the slopes together (no ski school) and Rebecca and I, well, we'll get to that...
Boys on the lift.
They stuck to greens but even so some of them were pretty steep! Owen did great - his turns were looking very good by the the end of the trip - a nice tasty combo of pizza and french fries. A few falls, but recovers well.
Enjoying a little ice sickle snack
Oh, Kyle - that's funny.
Rebecca and I took it easy that morning and then rode the gondola up to a cafeteria/lodge to meet K & O for lunch.
She said the snowy whiteness outside made it too bright to smile with her eyes open.
The world's most expensive hot dog.
Riding the gondola back down.
And now for some ice skating in the square of Lionsgate
Ready to go!
She was a speed demon thanks to these little helpers.
Pretty idyllic.
We had gelato and several hot chocolates and then went back to the hotel about the same time Kyle brought Owen back (Kyle then headed off to his meeting) - Owen was ti-ered!!! I'll try to post the video of Owen scooting down one run on his bum (he gets that lack of shame from me) - they got in a little over their heads on the last run at the end of the day. ;)
Ahhhhhh: room service, baths, Dolphin Tale 2 on the hotel TV
Being silly the next morning while we packed.
Able to just hang out and read at the airport - what?!? - amazing.
Rebecca took a bunch of selfies on the plane - this is my favorite.
So, it was a great trip. Not sure exactly what we'll do next year. It sure is nice to go to a familiar place, and President's Day weekend seems to be a great time (not tooooo crowded, only need to miss 1 day of school to still ski 3 days) but we're not sure if doing another anesthesia meeting (and leaving me to get all 3 kids ready and to ski school and have them in the evenings by myself) is what we'll do next year. Not sure. Anyone want to go skiing with us???
