Spring Break 2015

The girls and I made a very last minute decision (I mean, very last minute decision - like one hour to pack and get showered before I drove out) to head to Vermont to ski with Papa over spring break! I am so glad we did!!  The girls and I had such a good time cheering Papa up and Papa had a great time rekindling the girls' love of skiing.  The drive was long, the visit was short, but we had such an awesome visit.

Papa arranged for the girls to take a two hour (more like 3 hour) private ski lesson with his buddy and fellow Killington staff person. Kinley was so amazing.  We ate breakfast with he and Papa then Papa went off to ski while Kinley took the girls through their lesson.  After the lesson we all jumped into the gondola and had lunch at an amazing restaraunt at the top of the mountain.  Papa and Kinley ate more food in one sitting than I can eat all day!  I guess skiing makes them work up an appetite!

After the lesson we headed back down and enjoyed more skiing with Papa.  I followed them up and down the hill with my camera! They weren't exactly thrilled, but did have fun showing off for me.  I took a ton of videos so Jim could see how well they were doing! He texted me saying that he kept watching the videos over and over and was so proud of them!

Swimming the next day at Papa's condo was so much fun.  It is pretty cool to swim outside in 35 degree weather with the snow along the sidewalk and the big ski mountain right behind us. Then a quick bite to eat and more skiing that afternoon! To say that they were exhausted that night, is a complete understatement!

The 7 hour drive each way was a bit much for me for such a short trip but I am so glad we did it.  It will likely become a regular spring break tradition.  Next year I will just take the girls out of school for the two other days and spend the whole week at our camp and Killington (only a little over an hour drive from camp to Papa's condo).

We got an early start home on Wednesday but I promised the girls they could have ice cream at Stewart's on our way out of upstate NY.  The lady scooping their ice cream was amused that she was serving it at 9:40 in the morning.  I told her we couldn't leave town without it, no matter what time it was!!! Even the UPS guy in the parking lot was joking with me! As much as I wanted some, I just couldn't bring myself to eat ice cream for breakfast.  I reasoned that I will have all this summer to eat Stewarts ice cream!

We can't thank Papa enough for this wonderful vacation! Thanks for spoiling your grandbabies and me too!

Lots of pictures!

 The gondolas in the distance and the moutain top restaurant!

 Kinley and the girls.  He was the best! A grandfather too. So he knew just how to work with my girls.

 Papa and his grandbabies!

 At the top of the mountain! Ready to refuel with yummy food after all the lessons.

 The girls wanted to ski down the double black diamond with Papa and Mr. Kinley.  I told them maybe in a few years!!!!

 Watching Papa ski the double black from the safety and comfort of the gondola!

 No fear!

 Papa was so impressed with how well they were skiing.

The girls loved riding up the hillside on the "magic carpet".  Sure beats the old tow ropes!

 This guy.  Just days out of the hospital and already back at the top of the mountain.  Dedication!

 Sun and clouds and off camera flash to create the pretty vibrant snow and sky colors.  This is just a tiny portion of the slopes. Next year I hope to see more of the resort.