I Can't Sleep...

So this isn't like alert the newspaper news but I can't sleep. I'm not the least bit tired. I wish it wasn't like 1 something in the morning in MI because I would love to call and share my excitement with someone. Laura, Mitch, and Jolene are coming in two sleeps!! You would think I would want to go to sleep so time would pass more quickly. It's true, sleeping would be a great idea...it just doesn't seem to be anywhere on the radar. I'm too excited!! Can't it be Friday now?!?! Hooray for visitors-friends and family!! Hopefully it gets a little colder here. Kind of a crazy wish I realize but you must understand that it was nearly 50 here today. Beautiful for walking around outside but not so great for the whole skiing deal, one of the many activities I hope to share with our visitors I am so excited to take the group out on the mountain! Pictures do not do the scenery justice. One must simply enjoy the sights in person. I can't wait!!! We are going to have such a great week!!

Snowy Vail

It is a beautifully snowy day here in Vail today. They have been calling for feet of snow over the course of this week (pretty exciting for all the people who love powder days). In honor of the snowy weather, I thought I would share a couple of pictures I had taken in the past weeks. Oh, and for the record, we would love any opportunity to share our backyard wonderland with friends and family. Southwest has a sale going on right now....come visit us!!!!!








Blue sky, snow covered trees, and plenty of powder make for a wonderful day on the slopes!








Really cool shell down by the river in Vail village.







Showing off my ski at the top of a run in Blue Sky Basin.








I love blue sky and snowy mountains.











If this many people were inside eating lunch, imagine how many people were out on the slopes!

California Pictures

Sledding at the top of the tram in Palm Springs.












I didn't realize that we would be playing in the snow while in Palm Springs. Needless to say, my toes were a bit cold.











Beautiful flowers and palm trees lined the plaza.












I think palm trees are pretty cool!!













Lazy river, giant waterslide, and a sandy beach--all things I wish we could have taken advantage of during our stay. We were not crazy enough to put on our swim suits though. Maybe next time it will be warmer!!

Palm Trees and Rain Storms

Rain could not dampen our spirits this weekend as we traveled to LA for a little getaway and family time. We flew in late Wednesday night and were excited to see palm trees and 60 degree temps. On Thursday morning we strapped on our helmets and hopped aboard the motorcycles for a tour around the area. After riding around and enjoying the sights we pulled off at a Starbucks and sipped hot apple cider outside on a balcony overlooking the ocean. After breathing in the cool, salty air we decided to head back to Andy's dad's house because we could see the first of many storms coming our way.
On Friday we had the pleasure of visiting with a friend from Zeeland. Jason Bremer has been stationed at Camp Pendalton in San Diego for the last couple of months in preparation for a tour of duty in Iraq. It was Jason's birthday on Friday so we decided to drive down to the base and take him out for dinner. After dinner we toured a couple of the KSL resorts in the area (other resorts owned by the same company as the Vail Mountain Lodge and Spa). It was nice to see Jason and we wish him well as he is now serving in Iraq.
On Saturday morning we all piled in the car and made our way to the Palm Springs area. The resort where we spent the night recently went through a round of renovations and is now absolutely beautiful. I especially liked the palm trees lining the road, the massive pool area, and the beautiful flower arrangements on the deck overlooking the golf course.
Before returning to LA on Sunday Andy and I decided to check out the famed rotating tram that took visitors from the desert floor to an elevation of over 8000 ft. Typically there is a 30 degree temperature difference between the base of the tram and the top. In other words, it was in the 50's or 60's when we boarded and when we exited the tram it was snowing. It was as if we had never left Vail!
Overall, our trip to California was wonderful! We had a lot of fun and can't wait until we can visit again!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Tomorrow at this time we will be in the car on the way to the airport and I couldn't be more excited! We are flying to California for a long weekend and will be staying with Andy's dad in LA. We are also spending a night at a "sister resort" for one night in Rancho Mirage just for the fun of it. It will be really weird to get on a plane together though. We have both traveled quite a bit in the last couple of months but not together-one of us has always had to stay back and hold down the fort. We are actually taking a vacation together! How wonderful!! I can't wait!!! :)