a day in the life: winter wonderland

I can't believe we've been home for a whole week and I have yet to post about our fantastic trip to Colorado! I guess that's what happens when vacation ends and reality comes crashing in... I had planned to do an in-depth, day-by-day recount, complete with pictures illustrating each day's activities, but instead I've chosen just to hit the highlights and show off some of my favorite shots.

So, we were invited to join a few other families in Steamboat, Colorado for a week of skiing. It was our first "family vacation" since we went to San Diego when Gage was just a baby...except that we decided to leave Beck at home so our family was incomplete. As much as we hated being away from him for a whole week, it was definitely the right thing to do, for him and for us. He was well taken care of (in other words, spoiled!) by his grandmothers for the week. But he did try to pack himself into Gage's suitcase before we left...

We flew into Denver and then rented a Suburban to drive to Steamboat. Gage was absolutely THRILLED about the plane ride, and the airport tram, moving sidewalks, and rental car bus were unexpected treats for him as well. We arrived to a clear, sunny day in Denver but as we drove into the mountains it got darker and snowier. Needless to say, it was a long day of traveling and we were happy to arrive safely. We were met by our friends Matt and Nancy and their children, Finn (6) and Mackenzie (3 1/2), Matt's sister Kim and her husband Eric from Houston, Matt's dad, Bill, and our friends James and Amy and their daughter, Grace (4 1/2), who had arrived earlier in the day. We quickly settled into our beautiful house on the mountain...four stories with plenty of room for everyone...and a ski lift literally right outside the back door. Luxury!

The next day Gage was so excited to get out into the snow and enjoy his first snowball fight...

and later that day we took a gondola ride up to the top of the mountain to check out the incredible view.

Monday was ski school for Gage and for me! We both loved it...I hadn't skied in years...and Gage was so proud of learning to "make pizza" (in other words, snowplow!) with his skis.

The next day was Gage's 4th birthday! Hopefully it's one he'll never forget. His big day was spent playing in the snow with his friends, decorating cupcakes, and enjoying a pizza party at dinner time, complete with birthday presents. What more could a 4 year old ask for?

We had snow off and on for the whole trip, but Wednesday it snowed...and snowed...and snowed! It literally snowed all day long...it was beautiful. And it was another busy day...sledding in the morning, skiing in the afternoon, and tubing in the evening. Who says you can't participate in all the winter sports in one day??

And the last day we tried to fit in everything else...making snow angels, hiking through the waist deep snow to get up close and personal with our neighbors' totem polls, and checking out downtown Steamboat.