We've already had our white Christmas in Colorado during our early December vacation. The flights both ways to and from Colorado were from hell (that's another story), but the entire trip while we were in snow land Vail and Steamboat were like a lovely dream and we weren't quite ready to come home.
It was fun to hang out with Steve and Meredith and Greg's parent's all together in Vail since we won't all be together for Christmas. We had so many people we ended up getting a house and the Arabelle condo. The Arabelle at Vail Square was right by the gondola and made skiing the easiest ever to hop right on the mountain. The ski school center was literally next door to our elevator. Starbucks was also across the elevator and I enjoyed my Carmel Apple Spice drink every day after skiing. Yum.
It was so amazing to see Caden on snow skis for the first time. Greg and I both had been waiting for this moment and dreaming about it since he was a baby, that we could hardly believe it when we were watching him during ski lessons. I really was so proud of him that he was out there just trying because I know it is so much to ask of a five year old to wear the long underwear, puffy ski coat and pants, helmet, gloves, hat, goggles, ski boots in the freezing cold and NOT an EASY sport to learn. Especially when you are from Houston and only wear shorts and sandles then run out the door.
The girls stayed indoors most of our vacation because it was so cold and they were just getting over runny noses. Plus, we skiied so much that by the time we got back to the house it was starting to get dark. We did get them out on sleds once we got to the house in Steamboat. They looks so darn cute in their hot pink snowsuits and Harper could have sat on the sled another hour just content as could be. They liked snowballs being thrown at them by everyone and laughed. Caden had fun making his own sledding trail up the hill. The hardest part is always making your own sled trail going up, but the ride is worth going down so you just want to do it again. We had to bribe him to come inside because we were getting cold and were ready to eat lunch.
We just had Christmas weekend with my parent's and brother's family this past weekend and it was fun and wonderful to host. With 14 people in the house, it was nice to have our big backyard and playground for the kids to run around. The weather was so nice and perfect and in the 70's. Sunday we got a weather shift and today it was in the 40's.
We are happy to not be traveling any more this year and be home for Christmas. We don't know where 2009 will take us, but I am for sure many adventures await The Mathews Family.
