Ski Trip

So for my birthday the only thing I, Melissa, wanted was to go skiing. So we planned a ski weekend with our family. Even though my birthday was at the beginning of March, this past weekend worked better for us so that is when we decided to go. On Thursday, the day before we planned to leave a big blizzard hit Colorado. We have had a very mild winter, so it seemed we got all of our snow in one day. Because of the storm, we got a late start but it didn't put us too far behind. We have heard about the lodging at the YMCA at Estes Park and Winter Park from many friends and family so that is where we decided to stay. http://www.ymcarockies.org/home/our-locations/snow-mountain-ranch

We got a 4 bedroom vacation home that is supposed to sleep 10, we made it sleep 9 adults and 4 kids. It was nice and cosy. It had the most amazing view and you could definitely see the beauty God blessed Colorado with.

We first had a sleigh ride planned. It was a sleigh ride though the forest with a stop in the middle for hot cocoa and to roast marshmallows. Lady and Sadie were the huge gorgeous horses that pulled our sleigh. We were all really cold but it was fun. Brady was very annoyed because we had him very bundled and he could barely move. He started to fall asleep toward the end of the ride, but he had a good time.

Here we are with our niece and nephew, Chelsey and Shawn. Meeting the horses.

Chelsey got a marshmallow stuck to her chin.

Petting one of our horses, Lady.

The family with the horses

Our Sleigh

After our sleigh ride we got settled into our cabin and started dinner. We had a nice dinner and celebrated my birthday with cake, which was wonderful. We had a fireplace with real wood and took advantage by roasting marshmallows and making smores. That night we stayed up late talking and having fun together, but we had a big day of skiing planned the following day, so we were ready for bed. Early risers, Brady and cousin Zack, playing together in their Pj's.

We went skiing at sol vista ski resort and it was a great place, perfect for families. http://www.solvista.com/ski/index_ski.asp We were so blessed, because Jeremy's parents offered to watch Brady while we skied and it made our day nice and relaxing. My friends, Melissa, Erin, and Mike were awesome and drove up from Colorado Springs for the day to ski with us. We had a great time and we were all tired and sore. Some of the highlights from skiing were dropping my cell phone off of the ski lift (it still works), Chelsey's cute circle sunburn on her face, my friend Melissa's bruises that every first time skier gets, and my crash into a table of unsuspecting spectators after not being able to stop at the bottom of the hill.

Erin and Melissa (in the background) Skiing

Julie and I on the ski lift

Brady's mean Mom made him pose for a picture. Poor thing was so bundled up, he could barely sit.

Jennifer and Shawn

Melissa, Erin, and I

After a long day of skiing, some of us went tubing, while Brady, my friends, and I watched. We all went out for dinner and headed back to the cabin. We played some games and and we were all so exhausted that we happily went to bed.

Sunday we had to head home, but we had a great time. I think we will all remember this trip for a long time, and hopefully we can make these trips a yearly occurrence.

On the porch at our cabin, with the gorgeous views.