Before we drove home, Holly, Greta and I skied the Browns Farm Loop. My heels killed (seriously the worst blisters) but when in Methow, am I right? Holly and Greta paused to wait for me a few times. I loved watching the mist burn off in the valley as we skied. We skied past a horse in her pasture and were pleasantly surprised when she came when I called to her. And then we finished packing and drove home. We'll be back!

On our second full day in Methow valley, Conor, Holly and Greta rented skate skis. The did a short 40 minute loop around the farm where we stayed, rested and then went for a big long ski. They skied from our trailhead (Browns Farm Trailhead) all the way to Wolf Ridge Lodge Trailhead - just over 11km and Conor said it was mostly uphill! I met them at Wolf Ridge and I'm so proud of my girls for really getting after it and doing all that distance. They were pretty wiped out at the end of it. Conor and the girls all really want skate skis of their own. So ski swap, here we come!

While Conor, Holly and Greta were on their adventure, I was on baby duty. I insisted that Maeve and Enoch got outside while Ira napped. We built little snow people and checked on the chickens.

A little winter vacation to make us question why we travel with babies (but seriously). We had a lot of fun even if the boys didn't love sleeping in a new place. I've looked forward to this trip since I booked it a couple months ago. We stayed at a really lovely spot, right on a trailhead. We didn't have to drive to ski which was hugely convenient. On our first full day we met up with our friends who overlapped their trip with ours. We skied from our trailhead to a suspension bridge, ate lunch in a warming hut and skied back. It was approx. 10km and our girls were awesome! I carried Ira for the first time ever and the combination of additional weight, super warm weather and sticky snow gave me wicked bad blisters on the backs of my heels. Like so bad. But so it goes. The scenery was gorgeous. We skied through clusters of trees and by a river. I loved being right there in the valley with the foothills of the cascades. I really hope we make this a yearly trip.

Conor and the big girls have gone skiing up at Mt Spokane almost every weekend since the beginning of January. I'm pleased to report that they love it! This is a dream come true for me. I've wanted my family to get into XC skiing ever since we moved here. I can't wait to join in next winter! Last weekend, I sent my camera with Holly and Greta and here's what they brought back. Love those 2!