I have been in such a blogging rut lately. It seems the only thing I can think to write about is how cold and terrible the weather is, or how sick and miserable we are. In the spring, summer and fall we take every opportunity to get out and enjoy the day- even if it is only 30 minutes. During the winter when the days are shorter and colder it seems like there is little motivation to do much other than stay inside. We decided we needed a family trip. We needed to get out and be together. We were back and forth on what to do. Should we pretend it is summer and go to an indoor waterpark where it is a nice 86 degrees all the time? Or should we just give in and realize that yes- it is winter and we don't have much left of it, so lets enjoy it. We decided on the latter and it was defiantly the right decision.
Nathan, Ethan & I all have our own "real" snowboards so we needed to get one for Saroya. Since it is closeout season, we got a steal of a deal on the board, boots and bindings. She fell in love with "Roxy" and even had it sleep in her bed.
We took the kids out of school a little early and headed up to Traverse City. We found a killer "end of season" deal on lift tickets at a little ski area and it was just what we wanted. Something small so we could get the kids used to tow ropes and chair lifts without tons of people around. It was perfect!
Nathan & I traded off hanging out with Jaleigh in the lodge or playing in the snow. She was so content and good!
I wish I had gotten better pictures of the kids actually going down the hill, but once we got up there and got going, it had gotten pretty dark. It was amazing to me how fast they caught on to all the "ski area" type things. We would say, "Let's all go in and warm up a little bit" and they would say, "Ok- just one more run" and then after like 4 or 5 runs we finally got them in. Their faces were soo pink, but they swore they were not cold!
Ethan wanted to go just him and I a couple of times. Both Saroya & Ethan were giving me tips on using the tow rope. I remember using that as a kid on ski's and it was tough then! How can you do it on a snowboard?? Ethan made sure he was behind me and when I fell off, he would let go to make sure I was ok. So sweet when your kids look out for you! Saroya kept saying, "Put the rope under your arm!" My snowboarding didn't last long because I was sick and the infection in my sinus's felt like it was freezing up. Ouch.
After about 4 hours the adults were getting pretty tired and Jaleigh was excited for HER part of the trip so we pried the kids off the hill and went to a hotel down the street to stay for the night. We got a two room jacuzzi suite for an unbelievable price (mid week and slow season in Traverse City!) picked up some food and headed to the room. After eating the kids jumped in the "hot chocolate water" (as Jaleigh called it) to warm up and play around.
They were so excited when we told them it was time for bed because they got to watch TV and it was Nickelodeon (which we don't have at home). See how easy it is to get your kids excited when you deprive them at home?? :)
Oh they crashed fast! Saroya said she fell out of bed during the night but then woke up and realized she wasn't supposed to be on the floor and got back in bed. (She is so funny! It is true, she dosen't wake up when she falls out of bed ususally!) The best thing was that when the kids woke up in the morning, they closed our bedroom door and just watched TV until we woke up! We had arranged for a late check-out so after breakfast, we went down to the hotel pool and hot tub for a couple of hours. It felt so good to swim! Even the pool water was really warm.
We eventually fot everything loaded up and started to make our way back home. We did a little driving around and stopping to see a few things, but I knew I needed to do some grocery shopping when we got home, and Nathan had some homework to do. Ethan said it was the best vacation he had ever had, and Saroya said she was in heaven. It is funny how such a little one night trip, can be so good for the soul. It was just what we needed, right when we needed it. Thanks to Grandma & Grandpa Avery for the christmas present that we saved for just the right time!!
On Saturday morning Ethan had hockey as usual, but look who else did too....
5 comments:
Yay! I guess I need to take up snowboarding so we can make it a family tradition! Sounds like you guys had a blast. Sometimes you just HAVE to get away. Our whole family has some wicked cabin fever, but with temperatures forecasted for the 40s, well, that's plenty warm for walks and bike rides!
And I love the pictures...Saroya in her hockey gear! That is precious.
Holly your kids are so adorable. But not Ethan he's looking so tough, cool and handsome these days. We need to get back there to see you sometime! Hyrum will need to be walking though because it will just kill him to have to watch everyone running around and not be able to!
I didn't know you went out of town. Fun! I love how you always are able to do fun things as a family. Togetherness is the key right? Keep making those memories :)
I was relaxed just reading your post. I'm glad you got to get away from it all, have fun, snf relax.
The kids look so happy. :) I bet if you and Nathan took a self portrait, you'd both look so happy too.
Saroya is swallowed up in that hockey uniform! Can't wiat to hear how she likes playing hockey!
We need to do stuff like that more often. However, with us being as inept at athletics as we are, I think we'll try something else!
Are you in town Easter weekend? Just curious. ;)
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