Starting our Christmas adventure!
Ever since the trial ended, well, ever since Little Buddy's diagnosis really, we have been focused on making memories together. We want him to experience as much as he can and we also want Little Sweetie to have as many memories with him as she can. We were so thrilled that, during this trip, we could give them the gift of mountains!
Checking out the new landscape!
After some crazy luggage and rental car waits, we were off! Our first stop was Uncle J and Aunt S's in Ogden. Little Sweetie was especially excited to see her cousin, T! We had a wonderful visit with all of them and can't thank them enough for making our Christmas bright. Christmas Eve snow even fell, giving us the chance to play in REAL snow on Christmas! We also got to enjoy the beautiful Christmas Village their town puts on each year.
The snow started and it meant business! The kids were so excited for it to snow on Christmas Eve!
Cousin love!
Reunited brother and sister!
Little Buddy and Uncle J!
Little Buddy and Aunt S!
So much love here!
Trying to get these 3 monkeys in a picture with their coordinating pajamas is like herding cats!
Success!
Watching for Santa!
'Twas the night before Christmas...
Waking up to a White Christmas in the mountains. How magnificent!
Playing in real snow!!!
Made a snowman!
Snow angels!
Fun family time on Christmas.
The lights at the Christmas village were beautiful!
After our visit in Ogden ended (minus an extra sick/tired kid recovery day), we headed over to Deer Valley to see Uncle M, Aunt S, and L. What a time we had! Besides the obvious fun of being together and playing in the snow, Little Sweetie AND Little Buddy got to ski! Momma and Daddy gave it a try too.
Beautiful drive over to Deer Valley!
Because we came in a day later than we expected, our afternoon was already going to be pretty full...with a ski lesson for Little Buddy! Aunt S and Uncle M had found out about the National Ability Center, which helps people of all physical and developmental capabilities experience outdoor activities in the Park City area. We were excited about the prospect of Little Buddy experiencing "skiing" but, to be honest, we didn't think his developmental challenges in terms of following direction and impulsiveness would allow him to be on skis. We knew they had a chair option where he could ride down the mountain with a instructor steering him and we thought that would be what was safest and most effective for him. Thankfully, our boy likes to surprise us. Once his instructor saw that Little Buddy was mobile and fairly strong, he asked if we would be ok if he tried to get him on skis. We were skeptical but agreed to try. We are so glad that we did!!!
Our instructor, Mr. N, taking stock of the situation and becoming confident that Little Buddy could actually ski.
Little Buddy was ok with getting the ski boots on and then the skis...the first miracle!
Daddy and Momma are already so proud that he is even on skis...and the best is yet to come!
They started off pulling him, then walking with him, and then finally just letting him slide down after them to catch them...Little Buddy was skiing down the bunny hill all by himself!
Ready for another go with Mr. N and Mr. Z!
Someone had a great time!!!
Momma and Daddy may have cried tears of joy. We can't thank the NAC, Mr. N, and Mr. Z enough for having the confidence in our guy to allow him to surprise us!
Watching the zamboni with Uncle M clean the ice at the ice skating rink after his skiing lesson.
The next day he got to do it again with Ms. D and another volunteer. He seemed a little tired this time (the altitude and thin oxygen didn't bother him, but it did sap his energy a bit) but it was still amazing to watch!
Of course, after Little Buddy's success, Little Sweetie was bound and determined to get in on the action. Thankfully she has some seriously awesome godparents who also happen to be amazing ski instructors.
Ready to go!
Going down the bunny hill with Uncle M and Aunt S!
She did awesome for her first time on skis ever!
A giant Deer Valley chocolate chip cookie reward for a great first day of skiing!
Godmother and Goddaughter. Lots of love as Aunt S carried a worn out Little Sweetie back to the house.
But she was ready to get back to the mountain the next day!
Coming down the green hill with the back pack strap guides!
So proud of how she kept working hard and wouldn't give up!
I do think of lot of her perseverance was in pursuit of more cookies though! Well-earned!
Then we needed to get in on the action if the kids were going to do so well. Daddy did well on the beginner slopes for only his second time actually skiing!
And Aunt S kindly took Momma out for her third time ever skiing. I think we did pretty good for being novices and could get better if Little Sweetie gets into it.
When we weren't on the slopes, we found lots of other ways to enjoy ourselves too!
Little Buddy was all about playing in (and eating) the snow!
Watching Daniel Tiger and wrestling was always a good way to spend part of the day!
As was time in the playroom!
And never a dull ride on the "party van" to get some amazing food at local restaurants!
And when rest was needed, cozy beds were available!
Little Buddy's smile was all I could have hoped for to confirm how worth it this trip was.
What a great second half of the week with these three!
For our last full day in Utah, we headed over to the Olympic Park in Salt Lake City, where we actually got to watch part of the US Olympic Team Nordic Ski Trials. It was amazing! Then we all got to try our first official In-N-Out burger...not too bad! The kids enjoyed the milkshakes most of all, I think, lol.
Pulling up to Olympic Park!
It was neat to learn about Utah's history with winter sports.
Checking out the terrain map of the area.
Ski jump practice area.
Ski life area.
Ready to bobsled!
Couldn't believe our luck to catch an Olympic Team Trial!
Crowd for the Nordic skiing trial!
Amazing to watch these athletes perform!
Just a really beautiful place. So glad we got to experience so much!
Full bellies after a long day! Had a great time but looking forward to being in our own beds tomorrow!
And that's a wrap! What an amazing an fulfilled week with family and friends. We are so blessed by the people in our lives. And seeing Little Buddy ski was a memory I will never forget. Here's to hoping for more future fun in the Beehive State!
See you in 2018,
LSM
Little Sweetie's Momma
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