Mountains to New Year....

We jetted up to the hills the day after Christmas.  I was SO.EXCITED to get the kids on their new boards, and was hoping they would cooperate.  We had some friends stay with us, at different times.  Kim, Jacob, and Madison were first.  We had a blast.

G wanted to try on his snowsuit...

Jacob (5), Payton (3.5), Griffin (2), and Madison (2)

Good morning, Grandfather.

And off we goooooo!  Beech Mountain.

Check him out!!  2 years old.  LOVE it!

This year, on a more size appropriate board, did much better.  She's a natural!

Always wanting his mommy.

Even Jacob loved it!!  His first time.

Sugar Mountain.

Good morning, Blue Ridge!

Ready to roll!

Checking out Sugar Mountain today.

I think this magic carpet was the highlight of the morning!

Kim, with Jacob and Madison

Here's Griffin on his board (click!):  Little Shredder

Then Nick joined us...for his first snowboard lesson (which was the next day)!  While Daddy was out watching football at a bar, we took the kids to Grandfather Winery...one of my favorite places ever.  It was really chilly, though! I had fun playing with my new camera!  Nick did great on his board...another one hooked!!

Later, the Tophams joined in the fun....and I got some much needed time on the slopes!!!  Celeste met us out there also.  WHOOP!  Griffin and Wes didn't enjoy the snow as much as Payton and Sam did.  Sam is HOOKED!  His daddy is pretty happy about that :)  This was melt-down time...

Beech Mountain

Nick, Me, and Celeste...having a cold beer at the new Beech Top Bar!

Nick, Me, and Jon

 While we were gone, Missy and Brian took one for the teams, and stayed back with the little ones...Missy snapped this of Griffin and Sam.  Good buddies.

This is not snow...it's rime.  Frozen fog!  It was SO foggy most of this day.

We had dinner at Zuzda's, at the base of Beech Mountain, on NYE.  It was for David Mathein's 50th birthday...there were about 40 of us there!!  We were worn out, but had a good time!  Headed back to the house, got the kids down, then enjoyed some adult beverages and watched the ball drop...then watched the fireworks from the house.

Haven,  David (birthday boy), and Lamar

Payton loves her little Juliet!

The kids all sat around the "kid" table...except Griffin, who was attached to my hip.

Knox, Celeste, Me, and Griffin

Me, Stonie, and "someone's" little hand...I can hear it now, "Mommy!  Pick me up!"

We spent NYE with our good buddy, Mr. Timberlake.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Hello 2014!

Ever since this trip, Griffin has been "snowboarding" all around the house.  We are heading back up, with some friends, at the end of February.  I can't wait to get them both back on the snow!!