Friday -- Daddy and Mommy Hit the Slopes

As Friday approached we gathered nuggets we had learned throughout the week and made adjustments to our expectations we had envisioned to be our Friday family ski event. Somewhere in my mind I had added up the hours spent by Sophie, Haleigh, and myself in ski school (ok the dollars too:) the many comments of, "Oh, if they can walk they can ski. Just try it with her." (in regards to Mackenzie.) In my mind there were visions of our sweet family of five smiling and swooshing down the slopes as we laughed and made the powder fluff under our skis.

Then reality set in, Friday morning came, and the hustle to check all three kids into someone else's care began. Tweaking the plan due to events earlier in the week to make it more do-able I thought I had this shuttle/drop off thing down to a science. We decided to switch ski school branches to the one in the same building as Mackenzie day care stomping grounds. Also, we decided I should shuttle in the rental car (we did pay out the nose for it we should at least use it right.) Again we were waiting when the rental shop storing our supplies opened. Clunky boots were on Sophie and Haleigh as I carried two small sets of skis we headed to the car in the parking garage just across the street (happy to avoid all those steps!!)

All was going way to smoothly as I was just gaining confidence in our morning proceedings. I asked Sophie to balance her skis while I dug for keys to open the trunk to load the skis into the car. "Hey that's funny, these are my first pair of skis." What an odd choice of words - funny-- something funny does not change this smooth confident pace we had into a frantic race with the clock. Apparently earlier in the week when we ended up with two sets of skis they reshelved the wrong set. Then when Mark and Sophie went out they must have gotten a third set of skis. We somehow got the one set of the three that did not match up with her current set of boots :(

We continued to load the car, now in a little more "get r done" mode. We drove across the street to the entrance to our hotel where the valet quickly came to see if we needed the car parked. I was tempted to say, "Yes, that would be great, can you park at the Golden Peak ski school and check in the kids and then park back over here at the hotel?" But in stead I did something, that now looking back on it was just as crazy. "We are having some ski problems. Do you care if I leave the car here for a few minutes with my two youngest kids in it. I'll be right back we just need to switch out some skis really quickly!" Sure, what did he care. This complete stranger teenage kids had no problem with me doing that. I gave Haleigh firm instruction to not move and Mackenzie was strapped and buckled to the point I knew she couldn't go anywhere. I got the faulty set of skis from the trunk, threw Sophie on my back and took off running!! (I'm sure this was quit a scene for the elite clientele that usually staying at these type of hotels :) Oh well, this ski exchange was the only thing between me and a day on the sloped with my guy. As we got into the rental shop our usual helpers were tied up with the now overloaded crowd wanting their skis. We waited, got a new pair of skis from a guy in training - yeah that was quick -- NOT! I was trying to be patient as visions of the two younger girls being in the car alone kept flashing through my mind. Finally, all was taken care of, we ran back to the car in our finest "piggy back" style and took off with directions to get to Golden Peak. A few extra turns here and there and we were finally in the parking lot for the ski school. We gathered all the supplies hurriedly and ran to check the big girls into school. It was more hectic checking them in since we were trying to figure out their "levels" attained at the other branch of school. Haleigh announced that she needed, "more practice because she WAS NOT ready for the big mountain!!"

Haleigh simply crossed under the rainbow to enter her class area, Sophie needed to be checked in around the building and up the stairs (what is it with the stairs!!) and then Mackenzie was checked into her daycare center - a little less than excited.

I made it back to the resort that we were calling home for the week. As I trekked back to the room I decided I would take the route through the coffee shop and get the sweetest mocha stacked high with whipped cream that they offered. Oh, did it hit the spot!!! I took a few minutes to enjoy it as I waited for my ski partner to finish up his coarse so we could head to the slopes together.

And so we did, it was AWESOME!! I am not what you would call a experienced skier (Mark is much more experienced) We figured out our plan to get started and took in the beautiful creation surrounding us as we started our adventure on the slopes.

We took on a few slopes to see what we could handle. On the chair lift rides we would ask advice of what trail we just "had to try" on this once in a lifetime adventure. The question of "The Back Bowls" kept coming up as Mark was trying to figure out if he could experience Vail without at least trying this much talked about experience. One comment especially stood out to me, "Just take it easy and go around the catwalk a ways until you feel comfortable to drop in." Excuse me, was that "drop in?!" Apparently these famous "Back Bowls" are unmanicured, not really trails, just the natural bowl made by the mountains that contains the powder and you just "drop in" and go.

It was AMAZING!! I'm not sure I was on my feet more than then my backside, but I do know there was an expanded moment I felt like I was really doing this bowl thing well. I wanted to raise my arms and just let out a loud wwoooooo, but I still had a small bit of sense left to know that would surely land me back to my familiar position of flailing downward. All in all this day of skiing with Mark was amazing. We laughed a lot as we conquered (ok got through) the bowls. Then we stopped for a much appreciated lunch and coffee.

After lunch we decided to make our way toward the ski school where we were to begin pickup at 3:15. This afternoon trek took about two hours. I kept checking the time not knowing how far it was between me and my gals. I was pretty pleased with my afternoon progress when Mark came to somewhat of an unexpected stop. We had set a pattern of him getting a head and scoping out the paths to see which one was most advisable for me to take. This time however, he had somewhat of a puzzled look on his face. "OK honey, its about 3:10 and there is the school. I'm not sure which is the best way for you to go. Just take it slow and work your way down. I'll go ahead and start getting the girls. Take your time and you'll be fine!!"

Perhaps in that moment I realized how very small I was in comparison to this huge mountain. There was a couple stopped just above me on the mountain as I took an overview of my situation. I told them there was absolutely no reason I should be standing where I was, about to do what I was going to have to do to finish this adventure. Then two swooshes later as I was sliding backwards on my belly I just looked up and said, "See what I mean!" At least I could bring some laughter to their day!! Oh well, I made down eventually.

Mark handed Haleigh off to me and we picked up Mackenzie while he headed around back to get Sophie. Haleigh was so very sad about this being our last adventure on skies. She asked if we could just please stay until summer came. I tried to explain the fact of mortgages, Daddy's partners not paying him if we didn't come back, need of money to eat. But in the moment of deep sadness it was all lost on her. As the shuttle came it was time to "get over it" and start the shuttle shuffle.

Two shuttles later Haleigh had cuddled up to the friend of a friend we had made in the rental shop and was completely out!!

Due to the exhaustion from the day Daddy made the evening as easy as possible. He shuttled us in the car to the door of the restaurant of the evening. Afterwards he and Sophie ran in and picked the last goodies from the Chocolate Factory while the youngest two waited still and warm in the car - this time accompanied by Mommy as the chaperon :) And we called it a day, actually we called it a great day!!

Thursday - Daddy and Haleigh Hit the Slopes

Thursday morning came and again, us gals took it slow. We headed to the resort's restaurant about 10:00 for breakfast. Convinced we could make a "nice breakfast" work with just us girls we sat patiently waiting for menus. When I asked for a menu I was kindly informed there were no menu options for breakfast only the buffet. OK deep breath, "please don't drop your plates girls," here we go... It was one of the most wonderful breakfast spreads I have ever seen!! The girls did great, no plates crashed to the floor, many new foods were tried, bellies were full and happy. Then the reality of the bill was walking toward us. (Once we saw this beautiful display of food, I began thinking this couldn't be cheap or even reasonable, but it was way too late to turn back at that point. I kept thinking there is no way Haleigh or Mackenzie will eat enough in a week to make it worth the price no matter what it is.) Our helpful waitress appeared, "You got quit a deal this morning. Your younger girls eat free since you are guests of the resort and you get one child's meal free with your purchase of an adult meal. Then you had your 20% off because of the promotion (we ate dinner there the first night and got a 'bring this back sealed and you could get a spa treatment, free night at the resort, 20% off your meal... I was really wanting the spa coupon, but this worked just fine!)" Finally, I saw the price per person $25 per person!!! If I hadn't had the "kids eat free" thing working that would have been $100 breakfast! Mind you Sophie and I did eat our share of the $25.00, but the other two... come on.


After breakfast quickly came time for the long awaited "kids yoga class." The girls had seen this event on the KidVenture calendar long before we arrived and it stuck in their memory banks as a definite to do.

Sophie loved it, but the pace was a little slow for Haleigh's style. (Mackenzie played across the hall in a playroom. She liked the pace over there just fine.)

Now it was time for Haleigh to bundle up and hit the slopes with Daddy. We weren't at all sure what to expect. When I picked her up from ski school, earlier in the week, they asked me several times if it was really her first ski experience. I assured them it was.This time only about one hour had gone by when my phone rang. Faintly I heard Mark, "Tell Mom we're coming down the lift if she wants to get a picture." Giggles are what I heard next as Haleigh was lovin' the ski lift, "We're on the lift Mom, this is awesome!"Apparently being overwhelmed by the mountain was not just an oldest sibling thing. Mark gave the instructions, "When we get off the lift go straight. DON'T turn down the hill." He was impressed with the ease of which Haleigh got off the lift and started out. Then to his dismay, she turned down the hill, tucked in as they did on all those Olympic events, and shot down the hill like a bullet. Mark said he figured she would have to fall to stop because his yells of "Pizza Pizza" to get her to "wedge her feet were falling on deaf ears, however he was very surprised with how far she went before she finally fell over. Learning from the previous day's experience they didn't try to push on. (I think Mark was concerned the same ski patrol guys may be on duty and recognize him :) They headed back to the chair lift and enjoyed the ride down together taking in all the beauty around them.

Haleigh's recap of it all went something like this, "I went really fast! Then I had to fall to stop, but don't worry, I had my helmet on!"

Mark made it to his lecture and then we headed back out to Vail Village for dinner.

We were all amazed at this fountain. Surrounding the central fountain was a huge flame, then the side spouts put on a show all of their own. We forgot how cold it was as we just stood there taking in the beautiful dancing fountain on fire.

Never fear, we knew where to go to warm back up...
Yep, the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory!!

Chocolate in hand, we were off to catch the shuttle back to our devouring spot.
YUM! The last night Mackenzie was only able to get a taste of her sisters' chocolate covered strawberries. Tonight she had one all her own, and she had no plans of sharing it!! It was another sweet day!!

As Haleigh was remembering it all she had to burn off some of the sugar from dessert. She came up with a new trick and she was pretty proud of it-- my sweet Haleigh I love how unique you are!!

Wednesday - Daddy and Sophie Hit the Slopes

Blurry eyes mapped out the coarse of their upcoming date on the slopes .It was Mark's turn to finally get out in the white powder the had surrounded him for three days as he shuttled us ski bunnies around. After the past two days we girls were all too happy to have a lazy morning in the room. Once we rolled out of the room it was time for lunch. We had a sweet time in the little cafe, just us gals.

Then it was time to bundle Sophie so she could meet up with Daddy to show him her new learned skills.

Knowing Mark's plan was to be back by 4:00 to be at his next lecture, I began to worry about 4:30 that things may not have been going so well. Finally my phone rang, "Well, Sophie got her snowmobile ride." Of coarse my heart sank and my mind raced to the worst conclusions you could draw from that statement. But, all was ok. Sophie got overwhelmed by the mountain and didn't think she could make it down the path ahead. Knowing the slopes close around 4:30, and realizing darkness was near Mark asked a ski patrol if he could call for some backup. That is when "Bulldog" entered the scene on his snowmobile and escorted Sophie down the mountain. She had a blast!! Her new friend went fast and even told her to put her hands up like she was on a roller coaster - "That just wouldn't be safe!" she insisted as she held on even tighter. (Perhaps she is more like me than is good for her fun side;)(sorry this is sideways, Mark took it with his phone and I can't get it to turn over.)

We regrouped and headed to Lion's Head Village in hunt of The Blue Moose. It was a cute pizza shop right beside a sweet, outside ice rink that had a blue moose decorated with Christmas lights. We knew we were in the perfect place for our evening.

Yum!!

After our pizza, we headed up the gondola to Adventure Ridge at the top of the mountain. It was dark and cold, but the girls had been planning this stop long before our trip began. When we were planning our trip online the girls spotted this bungee trampoline opportunity. Tonight was finally their night to jump higher than high.

Mark kept Mackenzie inside where it was warm. They had a great view of all the action without the freezing temps!!
After a cup of hot chocolate it was time to head back down the gondola. To look down on the villages sprinkled with lights was amazing!!

One more stop on the way back to our "home away from home" was becoming our way to finalize each day. A carefully selected treat from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory accompanied us back to our room where the dessert devouring took place.

Sweet dreams were sure to be had!!

Ski School!!

The time zone change was definitely on our side. The task at hand was to have all 3 girls up and bundled waiting for the 8:00 chime that would allow us to get to our ski gear. Two sets of boots checked out of our "locker" two sets of skis and all three gals (two clomping along in their ski boots) were ready to head to the shuttle. I thought we were doing great, no way we would be even close to being late for the first day of ski school.

Then my simple question, "exactly where do we catch the shuttle?" Our new friend in the rental shop says, "Oh, just go through this door and take the steps to the left. The shuttle comes about every 15 to 20 minutes." Sounds simple right!

DO YOU SEE THE STEPS!!

Let's recap: 2 girls in ski boots, one 2 year old so bundled she can hardly walk, 2 sets of skis, and an altitude difference that makes exercise "difficult if you aren't used to these heights!" To say the least, I didn't need all the extra layers of bundling!! But we made it in time! Haleigh was checked in and off with a very quick "good bye." Then Sophie headed outside to meet her instructor. (She did ask me earlier if I would let her instructor know that she would try the spins but she would need some time before she was ready for the flips. Perhaps watching the Olympics right before our trip wasn't the best idea ;)

(Sophie is the one in the pinkish/ purple.)

After all the hustle Mackenzie and I were about done. She fell asleep on the shuttle back to the hotel and stayed that way for about on hour.

After a great power nap, the reality of a date with Daddy and Mommy set in and she hit rare form!

Of coarse what else would be do? Lunch and exploring, this time at Lion's Head Village.
Daddy shuttled us to get the girls from ski school. We found out we could leave the skis there to make the process of the next morning easier. (yeah right!)

We headed back the the room for all to rest while Daddy attended another lecture. Then it was out for dinner -- bundle bundle bundle!

We all slept well that night!!

Then came Tuesday...

We thought we had a handle on how this whole drop off thing worked. We were golden since two sets of skis were already at school waiting for the girls. We had a few additions to this morning though as Mark had encouraged me to break out of my mold and sign up for ski school myself. That would involve a drop off point for Mackenzie (at another village since we hadn't planned this when we signed the girls up) and a set of skis and poles for me. Oh, and now I too was in those clompy ski boots.

We were actually waiting for the doors to the rental shop to open so we could get ahead of the clock. We were booting up when Sophie had a boot problem. "No problem we'll just switch out boots. Where are her skis so we can adjust them to the new boot?" Yep, you know where this is going. Let's add another set of skis to the shuttle run.

Now we headed up "the steps" and caught the first shuttle to Golden Peak, where we would unload both sets of skis, one set of poles and three children. We got Mackenzie settled at her playing spot for the day. Then caught the city bus (again loading skis, poles, and two children in ski boots) back to Lion's Head where we made ski school "just in time." I sought out the adult ski school sign up spot (at this point I didn't really care what I was signing up for;)

They told me to take the gondola up the mountain and I would find the classes there. After going up for at least 20 minutes on this gondola I was more than a little fearful that someone might think I could actually ski down this mammoth.

Once I got up there it was nice to see that there were many small children up there for their own beginner lessons. It was actually something I was able to handle after about an hour remembering how these skis worked. As the lessons progressed it was a blast to see Sophie's little group learning in the same area. She really surprised me with how well she was doing. What a great day! A mental break from being "mom on duty" was refreshing and honestly no better place to have a little break. (I would need it for the pick up time!)

After having a lesson from 9:45 until 3:30 my muscles were reminding me they are completely out of shape. But no time to slow down. Mark had taken his afternoon break to get Mackenzie from her childcare spot and then came to pick us up. It just didn't happen to be right outside the ski school door. Knowing that we had limited time before he had to be back in class we had no time to walk slow in those clumpy boots. I rounded up the girls from their classes, heard the great reports on how they had progressed and we were off. Now all three of us in ski boots and 4, yes 4 sets of skis and one set of poles had to be whisked across a rather large plaza to meet Daddy and Mackenzie (who was again sound asleep). It was entertaining to see the looks of pity as people watch me juggle all 4 sets of skis while walking briskly and encouraging the same quickness out of two super tired skiers.
We all slept well that night too!!

(If you think the girls look wiped you know why there are no pics of me at this point -- I was DONE!)

The Last Leg of the Journey!!

Vail, here we come!! Finally the day had arrived to actually get to Vail.

Mark had the opportunity to go to an ID conference in Vail. We were hesitant to take such a big trip, but after much deliberation we decided to go for it. This would be our "once in a lifetime trip to Vail!" We bought the plane tickets, booked the hotels (all 3), signed the kids up for ski school, bought lift tickets, rented a car, and packed and packed and packed. Now the day had come to pile into our rental. Squeezing 3 suitcases, 5 backpacks, and a stroller into the space not occupied by the five heavily bundled people was not an easy task, but Mark conquered it! The snow was falling on the already covered roads and we set out. Of coarse we had to stop for breakfast at an "old timey diner" it was GREAT!! Then we had to stop for coffee, it was delightful! Then we were really on our way.

The scenes were breath taking!! We even saw elk way up on the mountain!!About 2 hours later we arrived at the hotel, ready to check out this "Rocky Mountain Vail" as the girls had labeled it in the weeks prior to the greatly anticipated arrival.

Once we were checked in we headed out to explore "Vail Village" via the shuttle. This would be our main form of transportation for the duration of the week. As you can guess, we made many "friends" on the shuttle as the girls shared every detail of their day with anyone willing to listen. (Even though here they were a little road weary.)
Our first great find was the really big moose!! Our next great find was dinner :)

After exploring we were all happy to settle in to our home away from home to get warm and rested. We couldn't wait to wake up in Vail and set out for ski school!!

Good night!