Colorado Curtain Call

I've been taking forever to share our Colorado holiday vacation...mostly because by the time I want to sit  down and edit pictures and post them...I'm just too tired...because once we returned home it was back to busy with school, laundry, activities and the usual life stuff {like cleaning & organizing the basement!} 

But it's time to close the curtain on our trip as much as I want to hang onto it!  It was so much fun...absolutely beautiful...and definitely memorable!

It was one of those really exciting but busy trips where we were almost doing something every day from skiing, dogsledding, enjoying the views and bringing in the New Year!

And along with all of that...we also went snowmobiling!

We did this the last time we were in Colorado...and just like then...I took up the rear of the line!  I enjoyed taking my time and enjoying the scenery!  And because I was a slow-poke, Alex rode with me on the way up the mountain...and Emily rode with me on the way down...so they had a chance to see what fast was like with Daddy! ha!

There was a wide open area to run the snowmobiles a little bit faster {if you dared...I didn't so much!} so Dan took the kids out for a few spins!

{Alex waiting his turn...ignoring his boring mom with the camera!}

Before heading back...we stopped for hot cider and warm oatmeal and chocolate-chip cookies...mmm!

Dan, Alex and Emily also went tubing...while Elizabeth and I watched all the action!

{what goes up...}

{...must come down!}

{triple threat!}

The kids didn't want to stick around too long after tubing to take in any of the beautiful scenery or anything...because they knew what was waiting back at the hotel...

{that evening they decorated cookies, drank hot chocolate with lots of whipped cream and made crafts!}

Each night the hotel had different family activities including s'mores by the fire, balloon animals, and a caricature artist...

We regret not having a picture done of Ellie...but maybe next time!

I love how they turned out...I think Emily's looks just like her!  I framed them and hung them in the upstairs hallway outside of their bedrooms and they make me smile every day!

We also enjoyed pizza and ice-skating under the beautiful Christmas lights one evening...I just couldn't capture the true prettiness of the setting...but it was truly lovely!

The last day before we had to pack up and leave...the boys skied the entire day while the girls shopped and relaxed...and basked in the beauty of mountains one last time...

We forgot our swimsuits {darn it...ha!} but luckily we found one for Emily in the hotel shop so she could enjoy the  heated pool before we left!  It was killing her to watch everyone swim in it from our room every day!

She had a blast enjoying it all to herself that afternoon...while everyone else was probably skiing!

She thought it was pretty weird to be wearing a bikini and standing next to snow!  ha! 

Ellie and I enjoyed watching by the fire and enjoying the sunshine!  It was actually pretty warm out there with the sun shining on us!  It was a perfect afternoon! 

I know that was a great deal of photos...

...but they all add such precious memories that we will always relive!

As the curtain closes...

...until next time...

{can I ski next time?}