Skiing at Sundance

Can I just say that I love SUNDANCE. It makes me feel at home. It is by far my favorite resort. Maybe because it was 15 minutes from home and I grew up skiing there but there is just something about it. I love the small ski resort feel. When I think about it, it makes me smile. So many fun childhood memories. And because of that. the one thing I was determined to do while we were in Utah is take the kids skiing. When I got sick I didn't know if it was going to happen. On the last day of our trip I finally felt strong enough to go. I was so excited. I didn't know quite how it would all work out. Kevin was awesome and came with me. He isn't a fan of the slopes so he hung out with Van. We stayed on the tow rope and the kids loved it. Kevin would stay in line with Boston while I took Avery up and then by the time we skied down the mountain Boston would be near the front of the line and then I would take Boston up and Avery would wait in line. It was perfect. Avery surprised me because she was so determined to ski on her own and she didn't want me to hold on to her so I would ski backwards and she would follow me. Boston was pretty brave as well, but he liked to ski fast so he skied between my legs. We had the best time and Kevin was such a trooper. Van was fascinated by all of the people and didn't get fussy at all. It was great. The only thing that made me sad was not being able to experience this all the time. That's one of the things I truly miss about Utah- the beautiful mountains and the snow (sigh).

Our Little Sussy

While we were in Utah, Nicole Hill of A little Sussy took some pictures of Avery for the company she worked for, Ruberball, a stock photo company. You can check them out on her blog. Last time we were in Utah she wanted to take some pictures of Avery and our schedule was too tight, so I was glad that it worked out this time. We had lots of fun. Thanks Nicole- you are incredible at everything you do!

Sledding with Aunt Jen

So while we were in Utah I got really sick and was in bed for almost 2 full days.  This was frustrating because I wanted to do so many things when we were there but because I got sick, I didn't get everything in that I wanted to. Including spending time with so many people that I wanted to. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Next time, right? 

Luckily for me, I have one of the best sisters ever and she took my kids sledding for a day, took them to her house for hot cocoa and made the Lance and Jen helped Boston and Avery make a snowman. They had so much fun. I just wish I would have spent the day with them instead of spending it in bed.  Thanks Jen! I owe you one!

 

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Who's that crazy woman running after the train?

The day we got to Utah was a little crazy. We decided before we came to Utah that we were going to ride the Polar Express (Heber Creeper).  Little did I know I would be packing all night- I didn't even sleep for 2 minutes.  

When we arrived in Utah I was exhausted and took a little nap.  When I woke up, I had to hurry and get ready. We were really pushing it for time.  Avery was meeting us up at the Heber Creeper because she was playing with her cousin and they were going on the "Polar Express" with us. 

When we drove past Midway I had a feeling we weren't going to make it. I was mad at myself because I knew if I planned better, this wouldn't be happening to us.  We were on the phone back and forth with Genise and Matt (Kev's siter and husband, who had Avery on the Polar Express) and when we turned into Heber we had less than a mile to go.  I was panicked. Matt told us that the conductor just said "all aboard and they were starting the engine.  We were speeding down the road and we could see the train. We hurried and parked and we could see Avery and her cousins and Matt and Genise on the train.  I slammed the car door and started running. Let me give you a visual... I had jeans on with huge 1980's moon boots- navy blue with red and white stripes, a fleece, my puffy North Face vest, and a snow hat on.  I started sprinting and I mean sprinting for the train.  Kevin grabbed Boston out of his car seat.

All of a sudden I heard the train whistle and I knew what was going to happen. The train slowly started to move. I started screaming and crying at the same time and literally grabbed a hold of the train. Boston was screaming because he wanted to be on the train and was stuck in the snow. Kevin knew there was no hope but for some reason I kept sprinting.  The conductor told me it was too late and to go talk to the lady in charge and the train station. I kept screaming "My daughter is on that train! My daughter is on that train!" With tears down my face... I had lost it! 

Meanwhile, Genise (kev's sister) was yelling to her husband, "Do something Matt! You have to stop the train!" I think everyone on and off the train, including our husbands, thought we were crazy. 

The reason I was so upset was because Boston wasn't with his cousins and sister. If they were together and we missed the train I wouldn't be nearly as crazy and upset. 

I ran to the lady in charge and she radioed to the conductor. They told me it wasn't going to happen. I was balling my eyes out. I honestly was acting like a five year old. 

Then all of a sudden the conductor told the lady in charge that the train had to stop because they had to wait at a train crossing, so if we hurried we could run and get on the back of the train.  I couldn't believe it! We were so lucky! When we entered the train everyone was cheering- I felt like we were apart of some cheesy Christmas movie. That's when I realized that everyone was watching me from inside the train. I could feel my cheeks get pink from the embarrassment. 

So yes, we were able to go on the Polar Express and share the experience with cousins.  We had fun listening to the story and having hot chocolate and cookies, singing songs and meeting Santa and Mrs. Clause.

Note to self- Be at least 30 minutes early next time :)

gotta love Boston's smile...it's his "I don't want to take a picture" face.