Breckenridge

I hope these Breckenridge winter wonderland excursions can continue to be a little part of our holiday tradition because they are such a fun treat for all.  Our quick two-day trip to the mountains (before Christmas) was much anticipated, especially by the kids.  This year our visit coincided with the last few days of Grandma and Grandpa's ski week, so we were suite neighbors and enjoyed visiting and dining in their spacious rooms next door.

Grandma introduced us to two different sledding hills, one just around the corner from our condo, and the other in the next town over.  Maren would have none of the sled.  The one time she sat in the sled with me, she howled and cried from start to finish.  She did enjoy holding my hand and just running down the hill; I think she felt more in control.    Ezra loved the sled, and was happy as a new puppy racing down the hill at Breckenridge.  The other hill farther away was much larger and probably quite overwhelming for a little person; he chose to be a spectator.  Once again, snow was quite the novelty, but the biting mountain cold wasn't quite as fun.  Despite three or four layers each, we were all done after about an hour.

My little miss and I on a winter walk.

Daddy used this wood and metal runner sled when he was a boy.

The kids wouldn't do the big hill, but we did!

Aww...this needs to be the cover photo for a ski magazine!

The heated pool and hot tub is definitely the highlight for Maren and Ezra.  Maren was a little grumpy about the snow, but was all smiles in the pool.  Ezra was ridiculously giddy with the abundance of water and his new life jacket.  He was all confidence with a little flotation help, and was our busy little fish!  Maren loves the "dolphin pool", a one foot deep pool featuring a dolphin tile motif and a little circular current.

We also took a tour through the town of Breckenridge and made a candy stop at Fuzziwig's, a cookie stop at Mary's Mountain Cookie Shop, AND a toy stop for early Christmas presents--all courtesy of a most generous Grandma!!  Ezra was invited to pick his heart's desire within a certain monetary value, and within two minutes in the store, he had made his selection.  A small toy replica of a sperm whale, a great white shark, and a narwhal (fancy that!)  Maren fussed and wandered over the prospect of picking one toy from such a impressive collection.  In the end, she settled on four quarter-sized pink rocks, and a little heart with a pleasant bell-chime inside.  Go figure.

Sharks and whales--found!