6. Ski day. We didn't plan to ski as it seemed like too much to pull off with three small children. However, once we were there we realized we would be CRAZY not to do it. It was A LOT of work, but we made it happen. Sam did half a day ski school (and loved it!), Abby went to childcare at the base of the mountain and even got an hour on skis (they said she did great!), and Hannah was well taken care of in the super nice nursery. Chris and I got to ski/board together for 3 hours and it was, in a word, heavenly. No crowds, decent snow, warm weather. Skiing is my most favorite activity and it was so nice to feel totally free and totally alive. It was one of the best dates we have had in a long time and it brought us back in time to the years in CO (before kids) when we used to hit the slopes regularly.
Look at this amazingness...
7. The condo time. We scored with this place. There was a pool and hot tub, a mountain view, and a shuttle around town when our legs were weary. We enjoyed movies, ipad time, dance parties, eating, and lounging. It is amazing what fun you can create with kitchen toys and the contents of Mom's diaper bag. Contrary to what I envisioned, I didn't read one page of the book I brought, but really, what was I even thinking bringing a book? Did I forget the kids were coming too? We had a great time in our little home away from home.
8. The adventure of it. Do not be deceived by all these pictures of smiling happy children and a smiling happy Mama. There was plenty of this too...
...and not just by the baby. This trip was a wild and crazy and sometimes challenging adventure. It is A LOT of work to do anything with three kids and this trip required A LOT of energy. I don't know why, but I imagined that our kids would magically be self-sufficient on this trip and that there would be a cook and a maid. Apparently we didn't get that vacation package. I still had to make food, clean up, dress and clean children a million times, and as an added adventure there was the getting on and off buses with three kids, a large stroller, and an average of three bags. It wasn't a vacation, it was an adventure. But I needed an adventure, and I feel super empowered that we did it.
9. Abby's birthday. Our girl turned 3 on the last day of our trip. We did a little makeshift birthday party for her in the morning and took a gondola ride as a birthday outing. We also were in airports, on a plane, and stuck in LA traffic for much of her birthday. Hopefully she forgets about those parts.
Thank you for an amazing 5 days, Aspen.
We will never forget this trip and I am already hoping and dreaming that we can do it again someday.
We will never forget this trip and I am already hoping and dreaming that we can do it again someday.
