A Little Ski Getaway

EagleRidge Townhomes -- Steamboat Springs, Colorado January 2008

As if Ella had not seen enough snow so far this winter, her first real winter on record, we decided to pack up and head to Colorado.

Our friends Mark and Kelly, parents to Zach and Ryan, invited us to join a group of other families in Steamboat Springs. Matt had business in Denver and Ella and I could fly on frequent flyer points so we excitedly agreed. Ella and I flew out a day after Matt and had no major problems. I have to say customer service really stinks these days so I relied on the kindness of strangers when it came to getting two bags, a stroller and a two year old through security.

Ella and Ryan looking out the window with juice

Ella rode a choo choo train (the tram) and then a big airplane. She is so much her father's child. When we got to our gate she ran over to the big window, pressed her little hands and face against the glass and screamed, "Airplanes, airplanes!!" When we finally took off she became really miffed when we got above the clouds. She even asked a flight attendant if we could fly through the clouds again. On the way down she said. The pilot signed her little Delta log book and we landed without incident.

Ella and Zach, relaxing on the nice comfy leather couch

Daddy was about 30 minutes behind us so we were ready to go when he got there. Our townhouse in Steamboat was awesome. We joined our friends and another couple with their three year old daughter. Steamboat is amazing. It's at lower elevation than other places in Colorado so there are great big, beautiful pines all over the town and even on the ski runs. There has been a ton of snow lately so we had lots of nice fresh powder, better to fall on if you ski like me.

Matt, covered in kids: Zach, Ella and Haley e
We had a lovely young lady come and babysit for Ryan (one) and Ella (two) on our first full day there so we could enjoy skiing. I hit the slopes for half a day and then went back to relieve the sitter. It was just enough for me. Plus, Ella and Ryan play nicely together.

this works a little better than a cookie sheet

Ella's first icicle!!

On the last day we took Ella sledding and then packed up for a three hour drive to Fort Collins to visit our friends from my days in Cheyenne, Christian, Briana and their crew of three, including our second Godson, Henry......