Gone Skiing - A-Basin

Yesterday  Avery took the day off and stayed in the condo and played with Grandma, Leaf and Veronica. 

Taking a day off to play

Dinner time

But today he was already to hit the slopes again, this time we headed to A-Basin to ride the Molly Hogan. 

How many adults does it take to get a 2 year old dressed

Heading to A-Basin

He did great again, he took 3 runs on the “bunny” hill before he wanted to ride the big lift. 

Skiing with Leaf at AB

But he was just too tired and wanted to be done skiing, so he went inside the chalet with Grandma to play while the rest of us took a few more runs. 

Reading in the chalet is fun too

Avery's new truck, that Grandma had to buy him

Grandma, Avery and Papa

 Avery is just a ski till he drops kind of kid because again as we were leaving Avery fell asleep about 500 yards from the area. 

Out cold

But that quick little cat nap on the ride back to the condo was the only nap he would take. 

Because of the weather coming into Denver we decided to pack up and get on the road in hopes of a better drive. 

Heading home

Gone Skiing - Keystone

The main reason for our trip to Colorado is to see Uncle Leaf, and Veronica (and of course to get some skiing in). Having only started skiing in December this was Avery’s first ski trip to Colorado. Day 1:  After a good night’s rest and Avery started off his day having Uncle Leaf put his boots on. 

Leaf putting Avery's boots on

Then we loaded up and headed to Keystone, for Avery’s first Mountain skiing experience. Before we even got to the skiing Avery was having fun adventures. First to get from the parking lot to the base area Keystone has little red wagons to haul, gear and kids, Avery thought this was the greatest thing ever!  

Little Red Wagon at Keystone

The next adventure was getting to the top of the mountain,  Keystone  like many resorts has a Gondola (which was great because this meant that Grandma would come to the top too). Avery was completely amazed by the Gondola, he had his face stuck to the glass, with his eyes wide open the entire time. 

Here we go

Glued to the glass in the Gondola

After all that excitement it was finally time to ski. We headed to a beginner area on the top of mountain, where Avery showed off his skills for Leaf, Veronica, grandma and Papa. 

Skiing with Leaf

The fun didn’t stop at the bottom of the run, rather then a ski lift (Avery’s favorite part of skiing) they was a covered magic carpet (basically a carpeted conveyor belt) Avery jumped on and did great, (better then some other older adult beginners skiers). 

Riding the Magic Carpet

Almost to the top

After 6 or so runs it was time for a break , and another Gondola ride before it time to head back to the condo for nap time. 

Heading in for a break with Leaf and Papa

Mama & Avery in the Gondola

Back at the base of the mountain Avery got another ride in a wagon back to the parking lot. 

Wagon train

 Avery maybe made it 500 years out of the Keystone parking lot before he was out cold.

Sleepy little skier

 Avery's first day of mountain skiing was a huge success, and he was very excited to share all his adventures with his daddy via Skype. 

Skype-ing with Daddy

Then after a little more goofing off with Leaf and Veronica  and a bath it was bed time (for all of us) so that we can be rested for Day 2.

Look at all the hands

 

Colorado Bound

It’s 890 miles to get to “Uncle Leaf” and “Ronica” in Dillon, Colorado. It’s a long drive for an adult, let alone a 2 years strapped into a car seat but Avery did great. We left at 4:30 am hoping that Avery would sleep the first few hours of the trip, and he did for the most part. 
The last time Avery made the trip was in August and we had to make a few extra stops to keep Avery happy but this time was different. Our first stop was at McDonalds in Sioux City for some breakfast.  

Breakfast Time!

Then after that we only stopped three times, for gas and lunch, which is no more then usual.

Avery shopping at Truck Stop

 Avery kept himself entertained with books and cars and got a new friend, Mator the pillow pet, which Avery calls his Lion Pet when he is in the “pet position” and Mator when it’s in the “pillow position” (he’s such a silly kid). 

Avery's travel nest

Avery and his new "Lion Pet"

 When we got to Denver it has started to snow and traffic was starting to back up, so to keep our tiny traveler happy in the last leg of the trip I got out the iPad. I am not always a big fan of him playing iPad and being dependent on electronics when there is a big world filled with toys and books and tress out there, but technology is going to be a part of his life so in controlled amounts he gets to play IPad. But thank goodness for the iPad it really helped make the last  hour of the drive fly by for Avery (when I personally wanted nothing but to not be in the car myself). 

Playing Ittsy Bitty Spider

 We finally got to the condo around 6 pm and we were all very happy to get out and have some room to move. But no one was happier then Avery, who was so glad to be out able to run and play and as a bonus Uncle Leaf was there to play with!

Check out my trucks Uncle Leaf

 

2nd Anual Big Harv Downhill

First Place 2 and Under at the Big Harv Downhill

Avery won his first ski race! He took first in the 2 and Under category at the 2nd Annual Big Harv Downhill! Avery did a great job (so did his Daddy, bet his legs still burn). 

Hi Mom!

Here we go!

Avery & Daddy racing the Big Harv

This was day four at Mt Kato for Avery and happily Avery seems to like skiing, he loves to go down the hill because that means he gets to ride the chairlift up! 

Milo and Avery - Future ski buddies

The ski coach in me loves that he shows a great deal of potential as a racer,  he caries his own gear ( a sign of a good racer) and his second run he started to pulled himself out of the start ramp before I was ready (already practicing his starts) not bad for a two year old :) 

I carry my own stuff!

Bye Mom.

 Avery doesn’t have to be a ski racer if he doesn’t want to be  but for now he seems to be okay with it. Congrats Avery on your first gold medal.

Way to go Tiny Racer!

Big Harv 2013

 

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day 2013

Some people say that your Valentine is the first person of the opposite sex you see on Valentine's Day. So that means I have a super cute valentine this year! Happy Valentine's Day!

Sleding wtih Papa

Snow, rain, snow, rain. That has pretty much been the winter weather this year. But on the days that its snow Avery is in heaven. Shoveling, riding in the skid steer, making snow balls and sledding! So ater the snow and rain stopped yesterday and Avery and Papa had their shoveling done, it was time to sled.

Papa's Turn

Weeee

He let his Papa  go first, then Papa pulled him up the hill and Avery went sliding down with Papa running along side. Each trip down the hill Avery would slide farther and farther. I think he would have stayed out there all day, but because the snow was so wet his mittens, jacket and snow pants were soaked so I bribed him with a cookie to go in. Love that we have an outdoor loving little boy.

2 years, 1 month

2 years, 1 month

At two years and 1 month Avery wears size 2T-3T shirts, 2T pants, size 8 shoes, 3T Pjs and Size 5 diapers. Every weekday morning Avery watches kids get on the bus at 7:15 outside his window and has "coffee" (aka apple juice and water in a cup with a lid and a straw). He loves puppies and kitties and bears and all things soft, and trucks, diggers, and beach balls too. Friday is his favorite day of the week,  because that is when he gets to see the Blue Garbage Trucks. He says "please" and "thank you" and has been working on potty training.

Wacky Week

This week was Wacky Week at daycare and Avery participated everyday!
Monday: Inside-Out Day

Silly Mama my clothes are on inside-out

Tuesday: PJ Day (worked out well, since Papa H was on drop off duty)

PJ day is the Best!

Wednesday: Wacky Hair Day

Green Mohawk!

Thursday: Costume Day

Howdy Partner!

Friday: Favorite Sport Day

Silly Skier!

Shorting his Ski Team Sweatshirt

My Baby the Pin Cushion, Part 7

Tall & Thin and Boots on the wrong feet

After 2 reschedules Avery finally got in to see his doctor for his 2 Year Well Child visit. And it turns outs that he is tall and thin, with a big head.  He is 2' 11" (84%) and weighs 30.14 lb (31%) and his head is in the 81%. His doctor said he is growing beautifully. And was very impressed his verbal ability and with how he held a pen (between his thumb and point finger) while he was coloring, something I had never really noticed, and even more impressive he can hold it and write/color with either hand.  After two shots and unrolling all the stickers on the roll we were done, and not scheduled to return until he is 3. But I have no doubt that we will be seeing her before then....

Winter Church

Almost every Sunday morning in the winter we like to go to “Church” (aka skiing). There are is a small group ranging in age from 30 to 80+ that are there almost every week. Sunday morning is just such a great time to go skiing, our group basically has the hill to ourselves.  Avery normally  stays home but since it was such a nice day, and there was fresh snow, Avery came too, drastically changing the average age of our group! It was Avery’s 4th day skiing and he is already starting to get the hang of it. The first few times we have taken him skiing we had to hold him up and now,  I can just hold on to his harness and steer! 

Cute little red cheeks

 It so exciting so see how much fun he has! Avery loves the chair lifts and watching the skiers and of course he loves all the machinery (snow cats, snowmobiles, etc) that make their homes at a ski hill. We got in 3 runs before it was time to have a corn dog and cookie bigger then Avery’s head.  Can’t wait to take him out again!

Good Day for Swimming

For a change of pace, we decided today was a good day to go swimming at the YMCA. We have taken Avery swimming there a few times before, but it has been almost a year  since the last time, and a lot has changed! Avery was just learning to walk the first time we went swimming there and he can walk in the “deeper” waters without help.   He loved jumping in the water to daddy waiting arms. 

Here I go!

Jump!

We teeter tottered and played with fun noodles and shot some hoops, and splashed around and had so much fun!  

Playing in the Pool is fun!

Avery is signed up for SKIPS (aka swimming lessons) starting in April so lots more water fun to come!