Spring Break 2K14

If you ask the kids, it was the best of times.  If you ask Rick, it was the worst of times. And if you ask me, it was probably a little of both.  I will admit that I like skiing more than I ever thought possible, but I will always prefer sun, sand, and a nice relaxing beach.  I also still can't figure out why placing your feet in death grips, also known as ski boots, and then hurling down slopes, without injury is fun.  For me, it's pure torture at times, not to mention exhausting. 

Then, there is my ultimate need for sunshine.  In fact by March, I am just down right blah and a litttle cranky so I can't say as I was all that excited as we prepared for our trip, but the family was excited to return to Colorado so I was going to make the best of it.  

This year our drive to Aspen was uneventful, unlike last year.  Monday, Rick took the kids exploring around the hotel, we visited the hot springs pool, and the kids even hiked up a mountian.  Colorado is absoltuely beautiful!

Monday evening we went to dinner and shortly afer this picture was taken things took a turn for the worse.  Rick came down with what we are certain was food posioning.  It was a very ugly night for him and the sickest I have ever seen him.  Fortunately, the kids can sleep through anything so they were  oblivious until morning, but I on the other hand had only a few hours of sleep.  

Our first day of skiing at Buttermilk was a bit chilly, over cast and light snow.  The kids took their first run down the bunny slope before ski school and seemed to remember everything from previous year.  In fact, I saw Baylor about an hour into ski school and he was crying and begging me to get him out. They were reviewing some basic skills and he felt he was well beyond that.  I made him stick it out and after lunch, he began to have fun after they started taking runs on greens and blues. 

On our second day of skiing, we went to snowmass village and Rick was determined to give it a go but he was miserbale.  In fact, he felt so bad that he ended up staying back at the hotel for the third day. 

The weather was almost perfect the last two days.  I would have to say my favorite part of skiing is probably just enjoying the sunshine.

On the third day, the kids don't go to ski school so that we can ski as a family.  However, my kids can WAY out ski me.  I stick to the green run and at a granny pace I might add, while they want to do advanced blues and jumps.  Luckily, our friends took turns taking them for parts of the day because they are way too cool to stick with mom.  

Here we are at the top of the mountain.  It's a beautiful picture, but it also makes me sad knowing someone is missing from the picture. I believe I learned a real lesson this trip.  While it was stressful at times knowing I was responsible for all three kids in situations that I wasn't completely comfortable with, but luckily, we had wonderful friends to step in and assist.  Most of all, it was a reminder that my world just isn't the same when he's not around.  I really missed him.  I missed his energy, his spirit and his all around good nature. My world had truly lost some of it's color. 

Rick has already promised me a beach vacation next year and while I feel really horrible that he missed out on skiing, I am probably going to hold him to that.  But, I also know for certain, at some point, we will go skiing again.  Baylor's already mentioned that he's moving to Colorado some day.