The Kings: Big Sky 2013

What a wonderful ski trip we had this March! I really don't think it could've gone any better. It was a trip of firsts for most of us...Sylvie's first airplane ride (on two different planes), Sylvie's first ski lesson (a total success, much to my surprise), my first time caring for a child at a ski resort whilst toting ski gear, Parrish's first time presenting at a session at the meeting, and Will and Anna's first time in Big Sky. Oh, and their first time experiencing a toddler in close quarters for an extended period of time. Hold on to your hats, Kings, because you'll be experiencing that and more in just a few short weeks when Baylin arrives. And sadly, you can't give her back like you can Sylvie. She's yours for the long haul!

We started our trip with a drive to Auburn to pick up Aunt Anna and Uncle Will ("he's silly!"). We headed to Atlanta to spend the night in a hotel right by the airport. That was an experience in itself...hyper child+preggo aunt+snoring uncle+uber laid back dad+uber high strung mom=C.R.A.Z.Y. In one room, mind you. And they wonder why I slept so much when we got to Montana! I had a cold or something too so I was not feeling great. But I don't think I was too whiny. Maybe I was and they were just nice to me? Well, Anna's nice to everyone but I'm pretty sure Will would be honest.

Anyway, a looooong day of travel finally got us to Bozeman and then up the mountain to the resort. Sylvie's behavior really couldn't have been better. She was sweet on the plane, didn't get sick or complain at all. Uncle Will shushed her a couple of times, so he really has no idea what the future could actually hold for him...I've seen some parents with the look of death in their eyes when traveling with young children. Sylvie is SILENT compared with some little heathens.

Sylvie had her first "small fry"ski lesson with Brock and she loved it. I cried, imagine that. He was great with her and let us book two more lessons with him that week. He also said she's ready for ski school next year! I was so proud...I really thought all the gear would bother her but she was a trooper. She also fell asleep at every turn, whether it be in the car, in a restaurant or the minute her little head touched the pillow. Must've been the mountain air and extreme exercise she apparently never gets! It was great. Except for the last night when I thought she was going to hurl and then she violently kicked me all night. That was pretty hellacious.

Sylvie found a best friend in Anna, who is so patient and sweet with her. She was also very generous with her babysitting so Will and I could get a few runs in. We decided it's much more fun to dominate the greens instead of crying and peeing on the blacks. We were a good match and basically told Perfect Parrish to kiss it and leave us alone. He's too good on the slopes and it's just plain annoying.

We had several good meals, lots of good chats with Will and Anna, and lots of baby talk (about Baylin, not to Sylvie). I know she can't wait for her to come out of the tummy and play! Luckily for Baylin she's a girl...we are not too fond of boys/monsters these days. Sylvie also really liked the "hot pool" and getting to make snow angels.

The worst part of the trip was coming home and subsequently losing all my photos from my phone to a software glitch. I spent over an hour on the phone with Juwon from Apple (super nice guy) but still lost it all. BEWARE! Back up your phone and your computer often. So sad to lose all the pics of Sylvie's "firsts."

On the way home we finally got to pick up Rosie! She is a great puppy. I'm not going to lie...I thought we made a mistake getting her, what with the biting and crying and pooping and peeing. Like having a new baby but it's a dog that you didn't birth so you're really not obligated to love it. I really don't know how I continually get myself into these situations that then Parrish has to save the day and talk me down off of the proverbial cliff that I am constantly clinging to for dear life. Remember the aforementioned uber laid-back vs. uber highstrung? Case in point here. But I digress. Rosie is a great addition to our family and is very trainable. She is a mess (literally, she rolls around in cat pee) but she has a great personality and is probably the cutest dog I've ever seen. Very fluffy. But smells like pee. So actually cute is a relative term here.

Finally crashed after not sleeping much at night or on the plane...didn't care how uncomfortable this position was and gave us some Will-rivaling snores. Then had a really hard time getting a grip when we had to wake her up. She promptly fell back asleep after eating some spaghetti. I have to admit it was really nice having a quiet dinner.

Waiting on Daddy to get us a better rental car. It was cold!

Silly Uncle Will.

Making snow angel with Aunt Anna.

At the best Thai restaurant...Lotus Pad (or Lotus Patch, according to Will). I had an out-of-body Thai chile experience last year, so I challenged the table to feel it too. I forgot how bad it was and did it again. I won't next year.

Riding the moving sidewalk. Had good luck here, not so much on the escalators.

First time getting rentals!

Up the hill with Brock, a stranger who she went willingly with. Not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but in this case it worked out really well. You could hear screams from other UNwilling subjects and we were so glad it wasn't from the munchkin.

Sweet Brock...hope he's there next year!

Waiting to go through security with her own backpack that she was responsible for. Yeah right.

Suited up with Daddy.

Daddy's Thai chile experience. Since he didn't totally believe how unreal it was for me, I'm glad he took the challenge so I could prove him wrong for once.