February 15th to 19th

This year we stayed at the Westin. The boys stayed there last summer when they went mountain biking and liked it because it’s right in the town square and at the bottom of the lift. I’ll admit it was my least favorite place we’ve stayed. The rooms were very tight. I’m talking a foot between the bed and the wall. We really missed Chase, who was on his mission to Chile. We also made a pact to not tell him about this trip so he wouldn’t feel bad about missing it. The weather was really awesome though. It was not super freezing at all. But this year it was much more crowded than it’s been the last two years we went. We try to plan ahead and get reservations at restaurants or we have to wait up to 2 hours some nights.

B has a way with animals.

I witnessed a moment with our friend Dave where he so perfectly handled a very rude woman – I saw first hand how he reacts to difficult people and situations, that I was thoroughly impressed and understood how he has the big job and makes the big bucks out at Stanford. We stopped at the little local grocery store walking back to the hotel after dinner. It was very crowded and people were super impatient. This woman behind Dave in line walked up and tried to put her groceries up before he had even put his credit card back in his wallet and she gestured for him to hurry up, humphing and groaning. He turns to her and says “Can you give me just a minute?” She sighs and says “oh my go*” And then he says directly to her before walking away “Generally when you are rude, it’s a good idea to apologize” At that point, she had steam coming out of her ears but was speechless, as we walked away very slowly and calmly. I need to remember that. It was a beautiful moment.

Ari shredding the slopes

Jake and Lelu

After my run of the day, Ari actually took my skis and tried to relearn how to ski again. She wasn’t a fan, but did really great.

I thought I’d throw this one in here for posterity. I confess I have MULTIPLE photos just like this from every single trip I go on. I am not taking a morose and weird selfie – I am checking for “bed head”. There is no circumstance I hate more in my hair than going out somewhere and having bed head because I have a genetic predisposition to wake up with a severe case every single day of my life – it’s just the way my hair tortures me. At home I have a mirror to check it, think I should invest in a travel mirror? The camera-back-of-my-head-selfie works pretty well though.

Delicious chocolate fondue for the girls on our last night. Until next year – hopefully!