Winter break is over and it was hard to end a great time away at our home away from home. This summer we bought a cabin in the mountains so we could get away from the heat and enjoy 4 seasons within 3 hours of Scottsdale. This was our first winter there and I think we love it more than summer in the mountains. On Christmas Day we packed up and headed away for a week in the snow. The photo above was just after getting there. The kids immediately wanted to go to the much talked about 'Sled Hill' at the club on one of the golf holes. The kids were in heaven. I swear I've failed their childhood without snow (until now...we'll make up for it). This trip I picked up my camera very sparingly so I only captured snippets of our trip. We hung out with friends, spent New Years Eve with a big group of friends and went skiing meeting up with friends on the mountain. We also had some downtime at night and watched movies by the huge wood burning fire Jeff stoked all week.
This was the first year the kids skied! They loved it! And Jeff and I hadn't been on skis in over seventeen years, so it was weird at first. But it was like riding a bike...it came back quickly. The kids and Jeff wanted to ski everyday....while I wanted to go out and explore and photograph the snow and the surrounding area (nerdy, I know).
Below is sled hill and the kids trying to 'snowboard' on 'sleds'. I thought we'd be making a trip to the ER but we lucked out lol. ;-)
Skiing below. The kids were in ski school for half the day to start, then Jeff taught them for about an hour after lunch, and then we took on the mountain!
The short drive home from Sunrise Resort to our little cabin.
In a town I'm fascinated with because of it's history, I had to stop at this playground that looks decayed and forgotten. I've never seen kids play here...only stray dogs. It's a little eerie... forgotten childhood is what I call it.
The same playground.
Back at home with the pups.
When the pup runs away, the giraffe saves the day. AKA - Tyler.
Keeping August warm with a blanket and a giraffe
All packed up and bummed to leave.
Could it be? Little Lulu our new pup, adores August. August doesn't feel the same way about Lulu but this is a start. Wow! Had to capture this snuggly moment.
The love continues amid dirty Converse sneakers.
Hauntingly beautiful fog. Something we never see in the valley. Magical.