Friday, January 10, 2014

Breckenridge Post 2…

So I forgot to share our story that happened at the ATX airport before we got on the plane, so I decided to share really quick:

So I did mention how we had to push a luggage cart around everywhere because we had a lot of stuff – even after we checked bags, we still had a lot of stuff.  At one point in the airport when walking to the restaurant, Dayton’s new backpack fell off the luggage cart in the middle of the corridor without any of noticing.  We went to the restaurant and started having a small snack when my phone rang.  It was the airport security – they had found a backpack in the middle of the airport which was reported because it was vibrating.  They opened it, found Dayton’s ipod and found my number in it.  They thought it was a bomb or something I’m assuming.  So what was vibrating in the backpack you may ask? A SpongeBob Square Pants squiggle writer – geesh!  The security guard was not very happy with me for giving them a scare – I was mortified and he also demanded I put a name tag on it immediately.  We are very fortunate he found and it and very fortunate he was able to pull up my cellphone on the ipod.  Dayton got the bag for Christmas – Mommy just hadn’t made it that far I guess but yes, it should’ve had a name tag.  Lesson learned – always have name tags and never carry squiggle writers in airports!

So on Friday, Day 2, we had a free morning and snowmobiling planned for the afternoon.  It snowed quite a bit over night so it was fabulous to wake up to “fresh powder”.

This was my morning view from my bed – not too shabby.  I absolutely loved laying there and watching it snow.  We could tell right away how much snow we’d got the night before by looking at the railings on the balcony – they would be piled thick with snow if it had come down a lot:

IMG_2197IMG_0385

And another view from our room – this was the little fire pit gazebo where skiers and such would go to warm up during the day:

IMG_0387

Not many things more beautiful than this: IMG_7031

This view was beautiful to see – the sun was shining on the snow and if only this picture could’ve captured the shimmering snow that was falling down at the time – it looked like iridescent glitter falling from the sky – heavenly!  IMG_0389

   IMG_7033

And she was glad to finally get to make a daytime snow angel:

IMG_7035

IMG_2201 I’m curious to have seen how long it would’ve taken them to get sick of the snow.  I can’t stress how mesmerized they were with it:

IMG_2202 IMG_2204IMG_0398

Hot Cocoa to go with our yummy breakfast – can’t remember the name of this cute little joint – I wanna say Park Avenue or Park St?  Not sure, but the kids ordered pancakes and of course I sampled them and they were delicious – more like a crepe – yummo!  It’s no wonder I came home with all these extra L-B’s!

 IMG_0397IMG_7039 IMG_7040 

Playing outside while Daddy schedule ski lessons for the next day:

IMG_0390 IMG_0392

So that afternoon we bundled up and headed out for our snowmobile excursion.  I was less than thrilled to do this.  I’m more into relaxing and hanging out by the fire with a warm beverage, but that didn’t happen all too often.  Daddy fell in love with Breck immediately and all of our physical activity outdoors in the snow was perfect for him.  He absolutely loved it – like a little kid.  He took me out of my comfort zone which is easy to do and I’m so glad he did.  I ended up having a blast, too!

   IMG_2205 IMG_2206IMG_0400

The views on the way to the snowmobile place were amazing:

 IMG_7044IMG_0406IMG_0407

I had to post this “selfie” because I was so proud of my cute little matching fleece pieces until I figured out I am allergic or have a very low tolerance for fleece.  Any time I had fleece around my neck and/or head, I’d break out in a big rash – isn’t that lovely?  Good to know though – next year I will find a fleece alternative.  The North Face hat you see me in in most pics was Dayton’s.  I had to steal it from him bc it wasn’t fleece and didn’t irritate me.

IMG_7047

IMG_7051   IMG_2207  IMG_7052 IMG_7055 

Snowmobiling was quite an experience.  We did some practice driving before we got after it.  It was really cool and a very neat experience.  The kids liked it even though all they got to do was sit on the back of us on a very long bumpy ride.  We did have one stop where the kiddos had an opportunity to drive their own mini snowmobiles.  Well, the kid right in front of Dayton and Mallory in line, hopped on the the thing, pushed the throttle, freaked out and then couldn’t stop.  They literally had to chase him down and the snowmobile flipped onto it’s side almost on the kid.  At that point, we decided to forego the kid snowmobiling part of the afternoon ;)

IMG_2209 DSC_7859 IMG_2214

We bought a cd with some of our pics on it – the ones of us riding are off of it.  Mallory cracks me up in these pics.  She’s like the kid on Christmas Story – so many clothes on, she couldn’t even sit up straight or much less move! DSC_7950 DSC_7951

DSC_7969

Behind us are the two highest mountain peaks in all of Colorado.  We got to watch the sunset from this point – beautiful! IMG_7058 IMG_7061

DSC_8009

We were all happy to get back to the room and shower and thaw out.  The kids took like two-three baths/showers a day while we were there.  That was the only way to warm them up after any time we’d come in from outside.  We got dressed and headed out for dinner at Salt Creek – it was a nice steakhouse.  The food was okay – not as great as expected.  Brandon’s steak was very overcooked.  He never complains but he couldn’t even eat a bite of it.  We’d waited quite a while so he didn’t send it back for another.  He just ate some of Dayton’s baby back ribs.  It was a shame we had a bad experience b/c I’d heard good things about this place.

 IMG_7066 

Mallory did enjoy her strawberry margarita though ;)

IMG_7071

Thursday, January 09, 2014

Breckenridge Post 1…

What a blessed Christmas and New Year we had!  I just wish it hadn’t flown by so fast, but I think that’s every year!  This post is going to have to come a little out of order, but I just can’t wait any longer to post about our trip.  I’ll catch up on everything else soon!

So a couple of months back, Brandon and I decided that it would be fun to surprise the kids with a trip for Christmas from us.  There was no doubt in our mind on where we would go – our kids talk about SNOW on a daily basis.  If it rains and it’s under sixty degrees outside, they are hoping and praying it turns into snow.  They talked about it snowing for Christmas the whole month of December, so when we surprised them with a trip to Breckenridge, they were soooo excited!  Highlight of my Christmas!

When we came home from all of our Christmas Eve festivities, they had a huge surprise awaiting them in front of the Christmas tree.

IMG_0292

When they lifted the big box off, they found snowflake balloons and a note inside with two big boxes:

IMG_0296

The note on the box read:

IMG_6918 

 

IMG_0298

Inside the boxes were all their snow gear!

IMG_0300 IMG_0301

IMG_0302The video of them finding out his hilarious but I can’t get it to upload.  There are small clips of it on instagram that are pretty funny!  To say they were surprised is an understatement.  Then when they figured out we were leaving in three days, they were even that much more excited! 

So they found out on Tuesday, Christmas Eve that we were leaving for Breck on Saturday.  This left Mommy with lots of planning, packing and tying up loose ends before we left.  I also had over three hundred costumes to get ordered before the trip, but it DID all get done ;)

Y’all know how terrible I am with packing, and winter clothes take up SO much room.  Not to mention, since Brandon and I had never been skiing or stayed in a cold place, we had no idea what to expect or take!  SO we did what any Mommy would do – we took it all!  And, no suitcases were too heavy and we managed to get through the airports just fine with the help of luggage carts!

This is a look at Mallory’s room when I was trying to pack this all into suitcases!

IMG_6972

We flew out of Austin Saturday morning.  It was great – not too busy and I love the Austin airport, small enough for us to get around easily!

IMG_6981 IMG_6982 IMG_6986 IMG_6988 IMG_6991 IMG_6992

I know we’ve only been on airplanes twice with the kiddos and they’ve been pretty short flights, but they are such good flyers – not anything like their Momma!  On the way there, both of them slept the entire flight so Mommy and Daddy got some Candy Crush time in ;)  It’s less than two hours there, so that was even manageable for Mommy!

 IMG_6994

Once we got to the Denver airport, grabbed our luggage and went and got our rental vehicle, we headed down the road to Breckenridge – about a two hour drive.  Being we flew over lunch time, the kids were starving so we stopped at a Denver Taco Bell for a quick late lunch.  Yep, all the way to Denver for Taco Bell but the kids were in heaven:

IMG_6996

The drive was so pretty and the minute the kids started seeing “real” snow, they got so excited:

 IMG_7004

IMG_0369

By the time we got there and got checked in, it was already getting dark – it gets dark there before five.  It was a full long day of traveling.  Dayton and Mallory couldn’t wait to atleast get out on the balcony of our condo and get their hands in that snow!  We stayed at The Village at Breckenridge and loved it.  I’d definently stay there again!

IMG_7005 IMG_0372IMG_0373IMG_7006IMG_2196

So we bundled up for dinner and headed out to do a little exploring on Main Street and see some snow! IMG_7008 Mallory couldn’t even wait til morning to dive in.  First thing to do was make a snow angel:

IMG_7030

And brother followed:

IMG_7011

It would take us over thirty minutes to get anywhere because all these kids would want to do is touch any snow we walked by and make snowballs and just enjoy it.  It never got old to them.IMG_0375

Pretty lights on Main Street:

IMG_7013

We ended up at a cute little restaurant/pub called The Mother Load (I think).  We just noticed it seemed pretty busy, had football on tvs, and was family friendly so we went in.  We ended up loving it – I would totally recommend it.  I don’t think it has gotten great reviews but there was nothing about it I didn’t like.  This was not a heatlhy eating place – everything was fried but delicious.  I had fish and chips, but it was fried salmon and I loved it – served with a sweet chinese dipping sauce.  Wowza.  Brandon had chicken and waffles – equally delish!

IMG_7015 IMG_7017 

They gave out these cute little wax sticks instead of colors to keep the kids occupied and we had the best time with them!

  IMG_7020 IMG_7022 

Mommy had the best seat in the house – we were right by the front window so got to watch passers-by but also had the luxury of this fabulous heater right by me!

IMG_7023

My mom told me before I left I needed to drink hot buttered rum while I was there, so I was so excited to see it on the menu and of course couldn’t pass one up! IMG_7024 IMG_7028

For dessert there, we had s’mores on our table and Daddy ate a yummy fried twinkie!

IMG_7025 IMG_7026 IMG_7027    IMG_0382 IMG_0383  The pics from the first day aren’t all that amusing, but fun none the less!