We've Come A Long Way Baby

We are coming off the greatest weekend of family fun. We ventured up to Chad and Kariann's cabin this weekend for a day of skiing and another day of just letting the kids play in the snow. Unfortunately I have no pictures of the skiing because it was snowing and I didn't want to take my camera out. We had a great day though. Emma and Abbie took a lesson together in the morning and Jason and I hung out with the little kids on the bunny hill. After lunch Jason took off with Emma and Jonah and I stayed with Anna, Lily and Jack. They did so great. Anna and Lily rode the lift together and I rode with Jack. They did great skiing down the hill but really struggled getting on the lift since the ground is flat and they can't move. It was frustrating for all of us. After awhile we were getting tired and cold so I took the kids to the Magic Carpet Ride which is basically a conveyer belt that moves the kids up a short hill. The kids really like this and it's easy and fun. All three got on the belt and for some reason it stopped. The wind was really blowing and snow was accumulating on the belt. When it started back up it jerked a little bit causing Lily to start sliding backwards on the slippery snow. She slid all the way down picking up a lot of speed as she went and taking out Anna and another little boy. It was humorous to watch and I wish I had video taped it.

Saturday we had a great time just playing in the snow at the cabin. The highlight was sledding behind the snowmobile. All the kids LOVED it. We had so much fun. We're grateful to Chad and KariAnn for inviting us to spend the weekend.

Emma and Abbie ready to ride

Jack, Lily and Anna

Jason behind the wheel

Abbie with a cute snowman.

Jason chilling with Jonah and Reese.

Jonah and Reese playing in the snow.

Jason chillin with the kids.

Jonah, Reese and Alec take a ride.

Chad and Jonah take a ride.

Lily, Jack and I take a ride.

So after all our fun in the snow I came home to find out that I had won Kristi's contest sponsored by backcountry.com. This is a great website so check it out. It was a fitting way to finish off my weekend of fun in the snow. To enter the contest you just had to leave a comment stating one of your fitness goals for the year. I commented that I had just taken up skiing again after a 14 year break and planned to ski as much as possible with our family. When we aren't skiing we hope to be snowshoeing. I'm so excited I won and can't wait to use my gift certificate. Thanks Kristi and Backcountry.com

This weekend made Jason and I realize how far we've come. It's definitely been a challenge having three little kids all within 15 months of each other. The past few years have been physically exhausting at times. Two years ago at this time we were heading to Cincinnati for Lily and Jack to have surgery. We spent 17 days in the hospital with Lily and Jack tethered to poles the entire time. Neither one could eat for the duration of our stay which meant we could never eat or drink in front of them. It was an adventure to be sure but one we are glad to have behind us. We're getting the payoff now watching those kids ski all over the mountain.