skier's delight

Family time.We spent all of last week in Park City, Utah at The Lodges at the Deer Valley Resort. It was a fabulous trip! We had such a good time. We will be doing this annually, as it's a work trip for Billy. CFO conference is always held as a ski trip combo. They work for three mornings, so everyone can ski in the afternoon. We got in two days before the conference began, so we could get some good skiing in.The Lodges at Deer Valley

We flew to Utah on Sunday morning ... early. The kids did really well on both flights, so it wasn't really a bad day. We had our layover in Houston, and we arrived to Utah by Noon. We made a quick stop at Target for a small puppy/blanket ... because Billy (and he will argue both of us--but I will argue him, because he got Colton ready and into the car on Sunday morning) forgot Colton's blue blanket at home! Colton did really well, and he picked out the little puppy blanket to keep with him for the trip. He named him, too ... the puppy's name is Toby! (Note to my Dad: He named that dog you mailed to us Tyler.) Toby and Tyler are Grandpa and Grandma Reynolds' dog's names ... so apparently, he is associating dogs with dogs that he knows and likes. Anyway, he survived the week without blue blanket ... but he did cry for it once or twice.

Once we got to the hotel, Colton wanted to get out into the snow, but Billy had to drive back to Salt Lake City to pick his parents up from the airport. Khloe took a short nap, but Colton wanted to get his boots on and stand on the balcony to look at the snow. I knew I needed to wait for Billy before we went outside to play ... because this would be Colton's (and Khloe's) first experience in the snow. As soon as they got back to the hotel, we headed out into the snow. Colton loved it! He didn't like how cold it was when he touched it without his gloves on, but he loved to throw it and stomp around in it. He always cried when we had to go inside. He was having a great time! Khloe cried when Billy put some snow on her cheek. She did not like that feeling. But otherwise, she was bundled up so nicely, that she enjoyed being outside, as well.He can hardly wait to get down into the snow.He is ready to play in the snow!He's checking it out for the first time.Showing the snow to Khloe and making a snowball to throw at Khloe and Grandma!My snowangel kids! I cut their heads off on accident in one picture, but I thought it looked kind of neat.Colton is enjoying laying down in the snow.She didn't know what to think of the snow.So we put some on her cheek.She wasn't a fan!Colton having a snowball fight with me and Khloe.He got his hands frozen when he touched the snow without his gloves on.Going on an evening walk.

On Monday, I took a ski lesson in the morning, and Billy went out on the runs to find some nice ones for me and to enjoy a little skiing on his own on the blue and black runs. I did really well in my class. I was placed in the advanced of the beginners class, so I was feeling pretty good about myself. I had a great time! I wasn't even too scared of the ski lift (which I had thought would be the scariest of all). My teacher kept telling me she was shocked that I had never skied before--which just boosted my confidence way beyond where it should have been. I thought I would have no issues with blue runs. I was feeling so good! By noon, my class was over, and I was feeling like a professional. We grabbed lunch and headed back to the slopes. Billy took me on a run that my ski instructor suggested be my first run off of the bunny hill. It was called 'Ontario'. I had a couple of run-aways where I was seriously out of control but ended up gaining back control and stopping long enough to slow my heart-rate and try again. I was laughing so hard, but inside, I was freaking out! On my third run-away, I finally dropped my poles (because at one point, one of them got stuck under my ski) and flipped myself over onto my side/stomach. I lost one ski, but it landed a couple of feet away from me. Billy said I had to fall sometime, because I made it all of the way through ski school with no falls! I got back up, put on my ski, and (thankfully) grabbed my poles from Billy. I skied down the rest of the hill, and we headed back to do the same hill and hope for a less eventful run. The next three runs we did down that same hill, I made it down without any run-aways and zero falls. The last run of the day, Billy said we could go down this easy blue. I said, "okay!" I was feeling good again. We headed down a green to get to this blue ... started down the blue, and I was wondering why it was so skinny. The green runs are wide, wide, wide ... but this blue was very thin which made my 's' turns small which made me go very fast--well, very fast in my eyes. I fell twice ... which got me super scared ... then I proceeded to snowplow the entire way down! My legs were aching, but I made it ... and I thought, I better stick to the greens next time!After my ski lesson--feeling pretty good!Yikes! My first day skiing.Billy and me on the ski lift.The view from the ski lift.Grandma and Khloe waiting for us to finish skiing.Colton trying his skiing skills out.Grandpa and Colton in front of his first snowman.

Monday night, Billy and I had a dinner with the folks he works with here in Tampa and their spouses. It was at a yummy Italian restaruant in Park City. Mom and Dad H watched the kids for us. It was a fun evening out with friends.Some of our delicious dessert at dinner.

We took a break from skiing on Tuesday. Instead, I went shopping with a friend in the morning, and we sat in the hot tub for a while in the afternoon. That night was the big dinner provided by AHS for the whole family. We didn't want to take Khloe, because it was late, and there was a sleigh ride ... and it would've been way too cold for a five month old. We did take Colton ... and he loved it! Clydesdales pulled the sleigh all around the lodge. The dinner was held at the same resort in Deer Valley where they hold the Sundance Film Festival, so that was really amazing! Colton kept calling playing in the snow or going on the sleigh ride "skiing". He was having a great time! We enjoyed ourselves, too ... as our friends and their kids were there (since they also work at AHS), and we had fun hanging out together.Getting ready to board the sleigh.With our friends, Duska and Landon.

Wednesday morning, I met with Melissa Murrill at breakfast ... she had both of her boys (Mason and Max) with her, and they were going to Olympic Park. She invited us to go with her. Since Mom and Dad H were skiing, I decided that would be fun! We headed to Olympic Park where they held the 2002 winter olympics. It was really fun! There was a free museum, and we saw a lot of the jumps and courses used in the olympics. The kids had a great time in the bobsled, and Mason even laid down on a luge. It was the perfect free activity! I had a lot of fun hanging out with Melissa and her boys. It was a great morning!We checked out Olympic Park ... Winter Olympics 2002.Colton and Mason hold the torch.This was a cool bison with Olympic newspaper clippings collaged to it.With Khloe walking around the museum.Colton, Max, and Mason playing with the ski game at the museum.Future USA Bobsled Team???

That afternoon, Billy and I went skiing again. This time, Billy and I went on all green runs. There was a good, long green run from the top of Bald Mountain. It lasted about 20 minutes. We stopped to take some pictures from the top of that run.

Bald Mt. had a gorgeous view. It was pretty steep, and I was nervous up there ... but it was just so pretty, too! What a fun run to ski! Headed down a run called "homeward bound". It was a really nice run.

Poor Billy ... he was skiing so slowly for his level that he would stop to take pictures of me while I caught up to him. I hope I'm a bit faster next year! I didn't fall this time, and according to Billy, I was skiing much better than Monday. I felt better. It was so much fun! I was having a great time. On our last run, Billy asked me if I wanted to try the blue again or go for a longer green. I opted for the green. I decided I wanted to end the day enjoying skiing and wanting to do it again!

That night, we went tubing with Colton. I was nervous that he would hate it, but he loved it! We could all go down together (each in our own tube), and he just smiled the whole way down. After the first run, he said, "I want to do it again!"Colton couldn't smile enough! We love tubing!

Thursday morning, Mom and Dad H skied again ... and Dad went with Billy on Thursday afternoon. Billy really deserved to get a lot of blue runs in. He had babysat me for quite a while for two days on the greens, so I wanted him to be able to have more fun at his level. It was the perfect day for skiing, and I was sad that I didn't end up taking advantage of it. I guess that just makes me more excited for next year! I tried to make sure the kids got the naps they needed knowing that the next day would be crazy due to flying back home.

Each night, we were pretty exhausted, but we had full, fun days. It was a super fun trip! I am looking forward to next year. I think it will be even more fun with Khloe being older. She will really get to enjoy the snow more next time.

Friday was a loooooong day. We left at 6:00 a.m. mountain time and landed at 4:15 p.m. eastern time. We were ready to be home! Colton was ready to find his blue blanket! It was the first thing he did when we got home, and he carried it around all evening.He missed blue blanket so much ... carried it around with him all night long.

The rest of the weekend was super relaxing. We took it easy. On Sunday, I went to a baby shower for Gwendy Adams thrown by our husband's co-worker's wives. It was a nice shower, and I enjoyed seeing some friends.

This week, we're getting back into our routines and enjoying being home. I am getting some crafting done ... and looking forward to my new vacuum coming in the mail! We ordered a Dyson DC25! I can't wait to use it. I have never wanted to vacuum more in my life.

Ready for a few months of normalcy ... before we head off on our next adventure!Bedtime routine at the Heinrich house ... reading a story before bed.Just thought this was funny! Poor girl.

A few pictures of where we stayed ... The Lodges at Deer Valley: