Night Skiing in the Rain

A little night skiing sounded like the perfect date for me and Max.  Add Grandma Jackie in and you've got the perfect outing.  We didn't realize we were in for a freezing rain storm.  We were a little hesitant to get out of the car when we arrived and were faced with unpleasant weather conditions.  So much effort was made to get up there so we decided to go for it.  You only live once right?  Plus my mom is an eternal optimist who convinced me it would clear up.

Well, it didn't clear up but we still managed to have fun. 

My mom is already a bad ass in my eyes but this night put her on a whole different level. What a trooper!  I'm confident in saying Max is my only child who would endure these conditions with a smile on his face.  He didn't want to go inside.  Once we finally did, we were chilled to the bone.  I didn't think I'd ever get dry again.  It's outings like this you never forget.  I guess you could say we're pretty hard core.

A Ski Filled Weekend

I've discovered a way to get Hank up on the mountain more.  Find a friend who likes to ride!  Randy took Hank, Nate Dog, and Max up to Sundance for a fun night skiing session.  It was cold and snowy but these boys had a blast together.

More importantly, it gave Hank the ski bug!  Night skiing is a little challenging for my favorite 4 year old, so I stayed home with him.

We got cake pops at Starbucks,

played Donkey Kong on the arcade, 

and took lots of selfies.  Good night all around. 

The next morning we were ready to head up to Sundance again.  Griffy tried to hide in our ski bag.

With a few new inches of powder and blue skies, how could we stay home?

Max was stoked to be up there again and ready to catch some air.

Hank followed close behind.

I'm so glad my mom was able to see these awesome boys in action.

I love this pic of Max.  The snow caked around his helmet says it all.  This kid goes hard!

Randy and mom stayed on the lower mountain with Hank and Sam while Max and I went to the top.  There was some serious pow to be had.

Max is such a little trooper and down for anything.

The snow is seriously unreal this season!

Max always makes me laugh.  Look at his tongue poking through his head gator.  What a little rat.

Having Grandma Jackie up there with us is always a good time.  These boys love their grandma so much.  I'd say it was pretty much the perfect weekend.

Sledding with Bear Hollow

Time for my favorite field trip of the year, sledding up American Fork Canyon!  I haven't seen that much snow up there in years.  It was the perfect day with my buddy.

My little snow angel.

Sam got tired of the baby hill real quick.  We hiked across the field to a much steeper ride.  Sam was so cute carrying his sled up the hill, over and over again.

That face melts me every time.

Such a sledding stud!

He even agreed to take a trip down with me a few times.

Our perfect field trip was only made better by Sarah and Tuck being there

Sam loved putting fresh snow in his hot chocolate.

I can't think about the fact this is my last sledding field trip.  I'm trying my hardest to live in the moment and enjoy every second of this precious time with Sam.  I feel so lucky I'm able to be there for all of his field trips.

First Ski Trip of the Season

It took a little convincing but we finally made it up to Sundance.  Max and Sam agreed to take a refresher lesson while Hank reluctantly agreed to ski with Randy and I.  He has told me for months he would never ski again.  I have bribed him with everything.  Our edgie wedgie mishap last year ruined his love of skiing.  I'm determined to make him realize skiing is fun again.  Randy thinks I'm nuts.

We had a great view from the lift of Sam's personal ski lesson with Jeremy.

Jeremy doesn't get paid enough, that is for sure.  

I tried my hardest to make it a fun morning for Hank.  He wouldn't admit he was having fun but I know he was.  

He's such a natural.  He doesn't even need those stupid edgie wedgies but I didn't say a word.  I'm just  glad he's up there.  We've already had more snow than we had all last year.  The conditions were perfect.

Sam was exhausted but in good spirits after his lesson with his buddy.  I can't believe the progress he made in one class.  Max's class was more of a refresher.  He probably could have handled a more advanced class but it was good for his confidence to be one of the best.

I love how Max always wants to learn and better himself.

We spent the rest of the afternoon skiing together as a family.  What a dream come true!

Sam killed it!  He has the most controlled little snow plow and is making great turns.  He didn't want to stop.  Poor little dude fell dead asleep on the lift.  Randy skied with Hank and Max while Sam and I got treats in the lodge.

Our first time on the slopes couldn't have gone better.  I have a feeling we'll be up there quite a bit this winter.  Makes my soul happy.  I love being up there with my boys.

Weekend Getaway to Salt Lake

With only a weekend left of our Christmas Break, we decided to make good on our New Years Resolutions and take a spontaneous trip to Salt Lake with the kids.  Ice Skating at the Gallivan Center seemed like the perfect winter activity in the city.  

Mino ice skating had me on high alert.  It's not exactly an easy thing to do combined with a naturally accident prone kid.  Bless his little heart.  He took some nasty spills but never gave up.

Randy and I took turns helping Sam around the rink.

Hank was cautious but got the hang of it pretty quick.  He had no problem holding onto my hand for balance.  I loved every minute of it.

All in all a successful outing.  We stayed at a nearby hotel downtown with a gigantic hot tub.

Just what we needed after a freezing cold ice skating session.

After we were sufficiently warm, we headed to dinner at Squatters.

Sam kept himself entertained with his napkin and utensils.

Max had a serious case of the giggles.  Perhaps it was the giant chocolate cake he ate.

Perhaps the smartest thing Randy and I have ever done as parents was get an adjoining room for the kids.

So genius.  In fact I got enough rest that I was able to hit the hotel gym before everyone woke up.

Sam joined me for an early continental breakfast.

Max made sure he got the most out of his free breakfast.  How many carbs in that spread?

We had time for another dip in the hot tub and pool before it was time to check out. 

It was a short but sweet little adventure.  Grandpa Griff was kind enough to watch Griffy for us while we were away.  The kids couldn't wait to pick him up on our way home!  Back to school tomorrow.