Spring Break in Colorado

What a vacation!!! So much fun. I got to see Ryland's and Easton's first attempt skiing and snowboarding up at Winter Park. Of course I documented as much as possible with my camera! Ryland is getting some rental equipment in Parker here before we head to Winter Park. Those boots were way too stiff and hard to walk in according to Ryland. That all changed as soon as he got on the slopes. He loved it!

Protect the noggin! New helmet. Pretty slick if you as me!
After the ski store we visited the yogurt shop. It was about 80 degrees outside. Hard to believe there would be snow anywhere!
Back at the ranch now before we headed to the Rockies game. The many faces of Easton Shea!





Take me out to the ball game! Still love baseball. It is so relaxing and fun to watch. Many people think the game is too slow to really enjoy but not for me. Lots of things to think about, will he steal, what will the pitcher throw, squeeze play, and what good food do they have in the stadium? Believe it or not there was healthy food at this stadium. I had a nice big salad made on the spot! It is a Colorado thing!
Notice the Dodger score. Not good!
The family!


What a ham Mr. Easton is!

Next day and here we are driving in a blizzard. It started about 45 minutes into the climb up the mountain. It was slow going but Keri used her incredible driving skills and we made it safe and sound!


Whew! Made it. Now off to the village to do some shopping and to check things out! Too late in the day to ski!
To get to the village there is a 2 minute ride on the Cabriolet. Buckets!


The blizzard was still in full force and you had to turn your back to the wind or get pelleted with snow and ice!
Ryland had the best seat in the house...low enough to be protected from the wind but not the cold!

Ah! Here we are. I have to tell you I was beside myself with joy! I have missed my ski vacations and it was even better because I was with family! Although I wished Mike would have come. He would have loved it.
Whoa! That is one giant bear. Easton looks tiny!
This is the ice rink in the village and it is covered with snow. No skating on it today!
We are headed to the base of the mountain. Pretty good view of part of the village or willage as Mark called it.
The first snowball fight of the trip.

Easton just got me with a snowball!
Nice gas fire if you get cold walking around. A place to sit and warm up. Of course you could always go into the shops for warmth but all the goodies are tempting to purchase. :-)
The village from a different view.
Dinnertime. We found some Mexican food. Our favorite.
This eating is serious business. Here it comes.
Yum, yum, yum!
Back at the condo and time for reading some books. Mark and Keri are great parents.
Getting ready to ski. Ryland has his game face on!
These two boys love to wrestle and play together. They laugh and laugh!

Ryland's first lift ticket goes on his jacket. He was nervous about skiing but it didn't last.
Easton's first lift ticket goes on his jacket.

Thankfully, there were these red wagons and we could pile everything in them, even kids, and go to the lifts. The lifts were right where we stayed but the wagons made the short walk a lot easier. I wanted Keri to give me a ride but it never happened.



The lifts were right around the corner.
Here we go!

Easton is up for anything. He is getting a helping hand from Mark. By the end of the trip he could cruise down the small hills by himself.


Ryland's turn! Skis are so awkward when you first put them on!

Another ride for Easton!

Here goes Ryland. You will notice from this moment on in every picture of Ryland on the slopes he is smiling. He loved it! He even got some air going over a bump! Pretty cool Ry!

Easton spent a lot of time exploring. He just wanted to check everything out. He walked and walked and walked everywhere.
Keri and Easton decided to use the snowboard as a sled. Zoooooom!

Off everyone goes to the magic carpet. It is like a conveyor belt that takes you to the top of a slight hill. Great for the parents. No dragging kids up the hill until they are ready for the lift!
AHHHHH!

This is the first lift I went up on. Boy did I get turned around for a while!
Keri and I ended up almost to the outside boundary of the ski area but we thought we were headed back to the lift we started on. We didn't get lost though. Lots of people around to help you find the way!
Beautiful! The pictures don't do justice to the Rocky Mts. or to the beautiful day. I just kept thinking how fortunate I was to be able to be enjoying this. Thank you Jesus for blessing me with this vacation.




More faces of Easton!

On the left is the ski school for the kids taking lessons!
Here the gang is tromping to the magic carpet.

This is the train that runs along the base of the ski area. Kind of like Safeco field. You hear the train blow its horn while skiing!
Magic carpet time. Keri is skiing backwards helping Ryland. Easton is off to the left in the red jacket doing his walking thing!




More walking!
The magic carpet!

By the end of the day Ryland could cruise down this hill!
There is a huge cafeteria. Huge. Healthy food again. There were fries and burgers too but lots of choices is you wanted something more healthy! Loved it!
Basking in the sunshine at days end!

I believe this is the start of another snowball fight.
This is where we stayed. Nice hot tub. The village is right behind these condos. Ski in and ski out!
Keri got the boys a travel bag for the trip. It was filled with things to do and some goodies. Easton decorated the glasses with stickers.
Here we go again! More skiing. Today was a snowboard day for Ry!

This is the Zephyr Lodge which was across from our condo!
This man was a little confused about me wanting a picture of the question mark. He wanted to step out of the picture and let me hold it but I said no,no! You are the official holder. These guys were all over helping people with whatever they needed.
Look at the huge bowl in the background of this picture. Picture doesn't do it justice!
This is one of the restaurants on the mountain. It is right at the top of the Zephyr Express lift.
What a view!





These musical deals were placed here and there around the village. Fun for the kids and I have to admit fun for me too!
Here is Ryland on his own riding the snowboard. He said we need to do this everyday. I am up for it Ryland!
Mother and daughter!
Ryland took this shot! Shopping and we all put on matching sweatshirts. Aren't we cute? I bought a blue one and Keri a black one. Mark didn't get one. The design is part of the Colorado flat. Keri filled me in on what the parts of the flag meant. The white is the snowy mountains, the red C is for the red soil, and the yellow is for the sun. It is missing a blue stripe above and below the white stripe. The blue stripe is for the blue skies!
Ryland is getting into the act of trying on the items in the store!
Had to get my picture by the giant bear! I don't look all that small like Easton did.

More beautiful scenery in the Rocky Mountains!



Keri has talked about Dinosaur Ridge and I thought it was a place where the kids learn about dinosaurs. It is much more than that. There are actually preserved dinosaurs impressions, dinosaur footprints, and more. It was very cool.

Here are the boys racing up to see the footprints. We couldn't take the tour because we were too early but we could walk up and see some of the sights.
The area was once under water. You can see the ripples caused by the water.
Here is a dino footprint. They have identified all the different types of dinosaurs that have left their footprints. I so loved this! Amazing!
More prints.
A close up of another type of footprint.
More views of the footprints.


Exposed layers of rock. Love geology. Of course I minored in it in college!
Some whitetail deer for Mike!
Back in Parker and the boys were still having fun!


What a trip!!!! It was so relaxing and fun. I am so glad I got to be there when the boys first got on the mountain. I could so easily be a ski bum! :-) It had been a long time since I had taken a ski vacati0n. I feel so blessed being able to take this one and extra blessed because I got to spend time with the Doolittle family. Thanks you guys! To God be the Glory!