Spring Break in CO

Last week we traveled to Breckenridge, CO for what is becoming an annual Moss trip. The CA Moss group (Grandpa Dan, Grandma Ellen, Aunt Alissa, & Uncle A--along with the 4 of us) took off by plane (wimps!) or car (nuts!) to get to Uncle Joel and Aunt Karen. We were excited for the kids to play in the snow! Ironically, we had gorgeous weather while we were there, but there was plenty of snow from recent storms that set a beautiful backdrop for our vacation.

The more athletic of the group hit the mountain for skiing and snowboarding, but I declined from the fun this year. It's been 2 years since I stepped into my bindings, but another pregnancy and the changes it wrought made me decide to leave my snowboard safely at home. I looked forward to relaxing, reading, taking it easy, playing with the kids...Oh, that's right..."relaxing" and "vacation" take on new meaning when you have 2 toddlers! Add to that the fact that the kids and I became ill the week leading up to our departure for the trip, and you can imagine that I wasn't exactly up for too much snowy fun.

While nursing coughs, buying stock in Kleenex, and battling heat rash--the little ones' delicate skin revolted at the hot-cold war waged between inside and outside locations--we managed to sneak in some snow play. We took the kids to a park in town that has a hill for sledding, and they had a blast! We had ordered a little snowsuit and boots for Madi, and she looked positively adorable in them but wasn't sure about moving around at first. Her first step resulted in her pitching forward and landing on her head--think, downward-facing dog for you yogis--and she decided Mommy was the better way to travel. Yet, once in the snow, she lit up and decided that sledding was even better than being carried by Mommy! And Darrin didn't need any encouragement at all. He was ready for sledding, snow fights, and more sledding...and more snow-throwing...you get the picture!

One day it snowed off and on, nothing sticking. Near the end of that day the snow increased to a decent shower so we bundled up the troops and headed out to play. We attempted sledding, but a short, steep run had Darrin taking the ride of his life. He whooshed down so quickly that Grandma couldn't catch him and we all watched in suspended horror as he hit the slightly-upturned edge of the snow along the neighbor's driveway...and went sailing in the air as straight and level as you please, hit the driveway, and kept on sliding until the opposite edge of the driveway stopped him. He never let go of the sled and, amazingly, stayed right on it the whole time! He was totally unharmed but wisely said he was all done sledding, lol. We went inside a few minutes later!

Madi loved showing off downtown. We walked around downtown a couple of times and Madi soaked up the attention she drew in her pink sunglasses. She wore an air of confidence and acted like a movie star! If I didn't know any better I'd say she even perched her glasses just-so (having nothing to do with the fact that her button nose can hardly hold them up, I'm sure) and would cock her head to make sure any paparazzo could capture her best look. We are so in trouble! :o)

Darrin enjoyed going walking with Grandpa, and he really liked riding the gondola. We could catch a shuttle up to the lifts and get on the gondola for free, then ride the gondola all the way down the mountain into town, ride it back up the mountain, and catch the shuttle home. I really loved that we could get around town where we were without having to strap any children into carseats. It was liberating!

The week was topped off with some outlet shopping for Mommy and Grandma, and a nice date dinner for Josh and me. The snowboarders and skiers really enjoyed their time on the slopes and trails, the kids enjoyed the "new" toys that were in the home we stayed in, and we all enjoyed Karen's excellent meals--and Uncle Joel's pancakes! :o) I'm looking forward to taking this trip each year and watching how things change as our little ones grow. Maybe next year we'll put Dman in ski-school and see how he handles a board! (Just giving Gmom some fair warning, lol!)

Note: If you want to see lots more pics, you'll have to visit my facebook profile. There are way too many to dump here! :o)