Thanksgiving 2016

We had another great Thanksgiving in Whistler, Canada.  I think this was one of our best trips yet.  We stayed in a great hotel with an indoor/outdoor pool and hot tubs, a family game room so the boys could play with their friends, and a family movie room with unlimited popcorn.

Marcus ready for the pool.  Or something

The indoor/outdoor pool

We had the hot tub to ourselves.  For about 2 seconds

After the pool we always stopped to play in the game room

Giant chess and Giant Jenga were a favorite

Ethan won a bubble blowing gun after doing a scavenger hunt around the hotel

One of the trees in the lobby.  It was HUGE!

This bear was huge too

The skiing was fantastic with five feet of fresh snow in three days.  There was actually too much snow if that's possible.  It fell so fast the resort couldn't keep up with the maintenance and grooming.  Luckily the mountain is HUGE so there was still plenty of runs to ski down and all the powder made for comfortable crashes.  There were three other families up their skiing with us so there was always someone in the lodge at our designated meeting spot and the kids could come and go with their friends as they pleased.

A winter wonderland of snow and tucked back in there is a castle playground with slides

The only picture I have when it wasn't snowing

Parker waiting in line with Randy

We waited a half hour to get on the lift and were covered in snow.  They gave out hot chocolate to make us feel better.

Thanksgiving dinner was delicious as well.  We ate with the Hild family as per the tradition and enjoyed a delicious traditional Thanksgiving meal.  They supplied the turkey (slow roasting it while we skied all day) and mashed potatoes.  I supplied the side dishes and desserts, most of which were made in advance and hauled across the border because I refuse to eat store bought food at Thanksgiving.

All our food getting cold while we waited for the valet to bring us our van.  Not happy about that one!

Delicious dinner with good friends

The Pies!  Apple, pumpkin, chocolate chip cookie, and banana cream

The kids played Super Farmer, their latest favorite game

This was the first time our whole family skied together.  This is a major accomplishment and a dream we never thought would come true.  But it's also kind of a nightmare.  It's so much work taking kids skiing!   Usually Randy took off with Marcus and Ethan while I hung out with the younger boys who are happy to not ski down cliffs with me.  I'm quite proud of the fact that I can ski down a mountain with Parker between my knees and I'm also quite good at carrying three pairs of skis around.  It made it easy for us to cut in line without feeling bad for the people behind us. Who's going to argue with a mom who clearly has her hands full?

Riding up the mountain in the gondola

Parker takes on the magic carpet

Have you ever seen a cuter skier?  Parker's fearless

Little kids on skis are cuter than a basket of puppies

Parker's face after we crashed into a pile of powder.  He was laughing so hard I had to take a picture before cleaning him off.

Sleeping on the gondola down the mountain

Our last night was spent walking through the Village and getting way too much candy at the candy shop.  The village is full of fun stores and restaurants and Christmas lights are on all the trees so it feels so festive

The candy store is a highlight for Randy and Marcus. 

Parker found a candy bar as big as he is!

We finished off the trip with a complimentary breakfast (all you can eat buffet of goodness) because of the valet making us late for Thanksgiving dinner.  It was worth it!