We were able to go to Hope Lodge again this year. We hit the one big snowstorm of January the week we were there. It snowed most every day and the snow was unlike typical northwest powder. It was super soft and light. It was truly amazing.

The kids all still get along and have a lot of fun together. This annual trip is a nice way to watch them grow up together. More of the kids are skiing now which changes things a bit too. It was during this trip that Julia reluctantly tried to ski on the main beginner run without a harness or me holding her in any way. That marks her day as a true skier. She said “I didn’t know skiing was so much fun” and now tells Tim that “I love skiing”. I think we found the sport for her. It was just hard to get her to leave the ski area after that day.

The views from Stevens pass can be pretty beautiful. This photo was taken one morning as the sun was still rising. Promises of a bluebird fresh powder ski day.

During the girls ski lessons this year Tim and I have been able to ski/snowboard together for 2 hours. It was a nice treat as usually we don’t ride at the same time. The last few weeks of lessons weren’t quite as snow filled (one was a downright rain storm). But we managed to have fun nonetheless.