When You Wish Upon A Star....

It doesn't happen often, but if you work really hard and persist at something and okay, maybe even beg enough, dreams really can come true. Just last week, one of Andrew's lifelong dreams finally did come to true:

For the first time ever, our little family all went skiing together.

The whole family at the top of our first run. Such a fun day!

Last Friday, after spending several hours gathering up skis, boots, poles, hats, gloves, goggles, snowpants, parkas and snacks, - enugh gear to outfit three kids and two adults, we all headed up to Solitude for a day of family skiing. As much as I hate to admit it, this was actually the first time I have been skiing since before Abby was born - and that was in 2001! That means it was my first time skiing since Y2K - and Andrew has begged me every year. So, yes, it really was a big day for our family.

However, to be honest, things started out poorly. As we drove towards the mountains thick dark clouds swirled around the peaks signaling the disasterous condtions that awaited us. On the way up the canyon it was a literal blizzard. Snow pelted the windshield and I questioned our sanity taking four kids skiing under such unfavorable conditions. As the snowflakes flew I knew that this was going to be a disaster.

Fortunately, Andrew is never one to quit once he has started something and so we continued up the canyon. Once we got there, as I sat in the car watching the snow come down, Andrew started pulling all the gear out of our car. He was not deterred for a second - and within ten minutes, the snow had stopped. Ten minutes later the sun was shining, the sky was blue and the most incredible day of spring skiing awaited us. It really felt like a miracle.

Henry - all decked out in his ski gear. This kid kills me.

The day could not have been more perfect - or more fun. We decided that I would carry Peter in a Bjorn while Andrew helped Henry navigate his way on his first-ever day of skiing. Luckily, Abby and Isaac have already been several times this winter so they are old pros and can handle themselves.

Peter - strapped into the Bjorn and the helmet

It was an incredible day. It was so fun watching Abby and Isaac ski. They really are amazing. At one point, Isaac took off toward the terrain park by himself. We were freaking out that he was going to die, but he took the jumps by himself and then calmly skied down to where we were having heart attacks. Abby was amazing too - flying down the hill making perfect turns with grace and style. I was blown away by those two. There isn't much Abby and Isaac can't ski down with a little coaching and help. Seriously, it won't be long before they pass me up.

Henry did alright for himself too. He made it down the hill twice - with help from Andrew - before he said he was ready to go home and get his binky. Instead he had to settle for the backpack on Andrew's back and his binky. I was proud of him though. He was a little trooper. Peter looked totally official wearing his helmet with the US Ski Team sticker and he seemed to love the feeling of the the wind on his face. He was so fun to ski with.

Henry done with skiing - looking for a free ride.

We had a blast together - and it was only a taste of what's to come in the next few years - until my kids become better skiers than I am. It really was a dream come true - a lifelong dream for Andrew and a dream I didn't even know I had.