Colorado Trip-Outside Fun

Park Family Ski Group 2014 at Keystone

Maverick enjoying mountain views too.

The adults skiing at Breck.

Aimee took Brody to the snow castle at the top of Keystone.

It looked like a lot of fun!

Brody on the small magic carpet on day one of ski school.

Learning the snow plow (pizza) and turning.

When you're three, hand motions seem to help you turn:)

Brody's ski school photo. In all fairness, it is really bright when you take your goggles off initially.

Barry and Bethanie at Breck

Aimee and Brody

Brody loved the gondola ride! Mav didn't get to go this year, but maybe next year we'll take him to the top of Keystone.

Uncle Eric took Mav for his first ski:)

Mav and Uncle Eric head to the "top" of the slope.

Brody was a champ when it came to skiing. He had a lesson on day one at Breck with other 3 year olds with about an hour of ski time. His instructor said he did great! The next day we all went to Keystone and we took turns working with Brody on the small slope with a magic carpet. At the end of the day we all went down the 3.5 mile green run and Brody was really a trooper! Day 3 Brody went back to ski school at Breck and moved past the specific 3 year old group so that he could ski on the mountain all day with the instructor. He logged 6,000 vertical feet and made about 10 chair lift runs. At the end of the trip he went from newbie to level 4 ready for blue mountain runs and to learn how to parallel (french fry) ski. Mav was a sport too. He ended up spending a full day at the Breck daycare center and the Keystone center. The people there said he was a chatterbox and so happy. They even took him outside to play in the snow.

Colorado Trip-Inside Fun

Blue frosting, yum!

Lots of blue frosting!

Brody wanted an Ariel cake this time since Ninja Turtles wasn't available.

The birthday boy after a day of ski school.

Brody love Aimee and he loves fixing her hair.

Nights in a strange place mean lots of snuggling.

Grandpa Steve and Mav having fun.

In January we drove out to Colorado for a Park family ski trip. We celebrated Brody's 4th birthday early the Steve, Cindy, Aimee, Zach, and Eric while we were there.

Sledding at the Farm

Mav & Mara share a break sitting on the 4-wheeler.

Mr. Cool-Dude

Brody was having a blast.

Claire took turns going with a bunch of people.

Sean giving rides back to the top.

Last time we went sledding Mav had fun, this time he was too serious to know.

Not only did Brody go from the extra hill Papa had made, he also required someone to give him a good push.

Mav: Not unwilling, but not excited.

He went down on only the fastest sleds and only by himself. Little thrill seeker.

Audrey Visits

Audrey with the boys in their matching PJs

Getting ready for bedtime.

Two little resistant subjects for a photo!

Audrey was visiting from WA after Christmas and the boys had a lot of fun having her around to play with. I even got out for a day with just Audrey and enjoyed some rock climbing and shopping in peace!

Skiing in Mankato

Barry, me, my dad & Brody, ready to hit the slopes.

Brody & me

Brody gets ready to get on the lift for the first time. On the ride to Mankato, he was telling Omi & Papa all about chair lifts.

The handle on his backpack is perfect for getting him on the lift.

Success as Omi looks on. Side note: On the last chair lift ride of the day, his skis got stuck under him and they popped off. The chair lift guy had to stop the lift to run give them back to Brody. I was very happy that Brody didn't freak out at all.

First run down.

If I'm being honest, the chair lift was Brody's favorite part.

Barry & Brody ready for their last run, which turned out to be a bigger hill than we thought.

Whoops...probably should have saved this hill for next time.

To finish out the day, we all went tubing. Brody had a BLAST! Those tubes go flying down the hill, I was surprised that he wasn't scared (cause I was a little bit).

We went skiing at Mount Kato, Brody's first adventure at a ski hill. He did really well considering it was his first time, he's not even four yet, and how long we kept him out there.

Christmas with the Parks

Steve & Cindy spent Christmas Day at our house. The boys enjoyed having three different gift opening sessions!

Christmas Morning

The boys woke up on Christmas morning to find their stockings full and a big package from Santa. They were both excited to open their loot, especially the kitchen. Brody has the best reactions when opening gifts, he jumps up and down with joy!