Deer Valley, Day Two...

We skied in big fluffy flakes, fresh powder, below freezing temps, beautiful sunshine... we got it all in our quick two days! And we of course, hit up our favorite runs, over and over again!! The boys are fantastic little skiers and I just love that we can all go as fast as we can, rarely having to wait on anyone.

This was the first year that we let the boys go solo. Most of the time we stayed together as a family, but after lunch, they would scarf down their food and get in a few runs while Micah and I took our time enjoying the views over a drink and conversation! It was nice seeing them go off, enjoying something they love so much as brothers! If I can sneak in boding time, you know this mama is gonna do it!

These ski trips over Christmas Break are always a very quick, two days of skiing, and honestly, in the past, it has always been enough to get us all our little mountain fix. However, this year, we were all so sad that we didn't have at least one more day on the slopes.  It is our plan to squeeze in one more day next year, if at all possible! Roen has mentioned that me may want to try boarding next year, which means we would have to change resorts, as Deer Valley only allows skiers. As much as I want the boys to try ALL the things, I am not real sure how I feel about leaving our beloved resort. I will definitely have to put some thought into it!

All of this being said, this ski trip was my favorite to date. I can't exactly pinpoint what made it stand out above the rest, but I do know we needed it. As we ended what proved to a very hard year in a lot of ways, I feel like being in a place we love as a family so very much, helped us start 2025 focusing of what truly matters. 

I love snow, I love the mountains, and I LOVE our family ski trips!

Deer Valley, Day One...

 
We woke up as early as we could- two teenage boys and a time difference.... well, it wasn't as easy as it sounds! 

We had a quick breakfast and were on the slopes just as fast as we could get there! We know this mountain well by now, so we were all hollering out what slopes we wanted to do first, making mental maps. We visited Quincy's Cabin, took every tree trail we could find, hit up all the jumps and even figured out a little secret to maneuvering the long lines (thanks to the Park City mountain strike, which led skiers over to Deer Valley). 

We went fast, we laughed, we got hot and we never slowed down until lunch! The Stein was so crowded at lunch (again, with the strike crowd), that when they gave us an 1.5 hour wait, well, we went back and skied while we waited! It was such a fun day out on the slopes!

After the slopes closed, we took a dip in the hot tub while we sipped hot tea and hot cocoa before taking another little trip back to Main Street. With most everything closing early the day before for the New Year, we wanted to get in a little more souvenir shopping. For dinner, we went back to the room, had  chocolate cake, ice cream, hot cocoa and watched a total of three movies with the boys! 

We literally laughed hysterically the entire viewing of Daddy's Home and made both boys huge Will Ferrell fans ! We, of course, had to follow that movie with Daddy's Home 2, which had us laughing all over again. It was one of those days that was perfection!

Deer Valley '24...

We decided that this year, we wanted to be with the kids and in the mountains on NYE, so we loaded up and headed to Deer Valley on December 31st! This is a trip we typically do right before or right after Christmas, so we just pushed it back a week or so. 

First things first, I made the boys take their annual picture outside the entrance, then a few more on our way to the lodge restaurant before we sat down for hot cocoa, crab legs, and a bite to eat. Once our room was ready, we headed up to take a tiny little nap before heading over to Main Street to pop into the few shops on our way to dinner. We made reservations at Fuegos, and we of course, got the crab bake, pizza and pasta! If you ever find yourself in Park City, you HAVE to visit this restaurant, it is our all-time favorite!

After dinner, Remi got us a fire going, we all got into our cozies and watched a movie until midnight! It really was the most perfect little evening, getting to be with the boys as we said good-bye to '24 and welcomed '25!

And, as always, I included a little 'looking back' collage at the bottom! To see that their little heads didn't even reach the bottom of the SEL sign when we started this trip! Goodness, how time flies!

A Wrap on December Fun...

December flew by! It was full of parties, family time and enjoying every minute of break where we got to stay up late and sleep in! 

I had my annual girl's Favorite Things Party, we had a neighborhood party, a work party, we hosted a family fajita night in early December, and then I threw in some furry, late morning sleep-in snuggles. 

I also added a foggy lake view because fog over the water always makes me think of a really good book setting! And I had to share one of our beautiful sunsets! We get a perfect water sunset every evening, each one so different, yet equally breathtaking.

Our Last Christmas...

Our last Christmas was so very special because we got to host it right here, in our brand-new home! I had an absolute blast decorating, finding new places for all my favorite pieces. I added a few new pieces, but most every piece of festive decor is something I have carried with me from house to house, year after year, the most special being those from Grannie's house or given to me by my mom. Christmas is so very sentimental to me, and that is why I love it so much! 

We spent our first day playing outside, golfing, playing chess, playing ping-pong, cooking, eating and then we did presents! We even added more fun to the evening by taking a dip in the hot tub! It was a late night, but we only get late nights with cousins a few times a year, so we take them when we can get them!

We woke up to a lazy morning in pajamas, puzzles, and a late breakfast. We had a ping-pong tournament, played Fish Bowl along with a few other games. There was more chess, more golf and we ended the night with homemade pizza and a late night showing of The Red One. 

It was such a wonderful Christmas with those I love so very much. The only thing that would have made it better was more time, but mostly, if Cici and Kim could have made it. I am so thankful for these special people in my life and the memories we get to make together!

It was a Christmas full of gentle reminders of God's blessings and the gift family!