We haven’t spent a holiday in Minnesota since Juliette was born, foregoing the trip when she was a baby because of the new-parent flight-phobia we felt in those first couple of years, and then opting to make the trip in the summer when she was two and three. But this year we decided to pull out our hats and mittens and see if our tough girl was tough enough for a true midwestern winter.
We rolled up to Shane’s parents’ house Saturday evening after a long day of travel and were greeted with warm hugs and home-cooked ham. We were exhausted but looking forward to a few days of solid rest, of cozying up inside with family and food. A few days of quiet.
We woke late on Sunday and lounged for awhile in our pajamas, eventually rallying to head over to Andes Resort to watch Avery bomb down the big hills on his snowboard and to watch Jules creep down the shallow bunny slope on her skis. Turns out November in Minnesota agrees with this girl!
She was a bit timid at first, begging Shane to hold her tight as they sloooooowly made their way down the hill.
But she grew a bit bolder with each subsequent run, eventually laughing hysterically as she cried, “Faster, Daddy! FASTER!”
Shane was also feeling bold and rode the chairlift to the top of the mountain, nailing his first-ever downhill run on skis!
Avery, on the other hand, was a madman out there from the get-go. Kid’s got skills.
These two were so adorably proud of themselves. Guess I better learn how to ski soon, or they’re likely to leave me in their dust…
Disappointingly, this afternoon on these slopes (made of manufactured snow, by the way) was our only romp in the powder as the rest of the week was dry, but we made the most of it!
The rest of the day was lovely and low-key – we napped and did puzzles, popping outside for a few minutes of fresh air and a quick check-in with the next-door cows, then retreating indoors for pizza and games with the whole family.
Juliette relished every moment of cousin-time and all three kids were exceedingly generous with their attention. Hayden must have played 47 rounds of Go Fish by the time our week there was over.
Monday was cold, but our lunchtime burgers and milkshakes left Juliette with oodles of energy to burn, so we headed over to Noonan’s Park to hit the playground.
Tell me again, Jules – does the cold weather bother you?
…’cause Grandma and Aunt Tiff are looking a little chilly!
Shane tentatively stepped out onto the newly frozen ice at the pond across the street, at which point Juliette desperately pleaded with him to return to solid ground. Walking on water wasn’t a concept she could get her head around.
I dunno, Shane…is that really a good idea?!
Ok, seriously, Shane, IS THIS A GOOD IDEA?!
With outdoor swimming clearly out the question, we opted to head to the YMCA for a dip in the indoor heated pool.
Shanay joined us mid-swim and Juliette almost flew into her arms. I got so much joy out of watching Juliette’s face light up with a million-kilowatt smile every time a new family member appeared on the scene. The whole week was a chorus of, SHANAY! GRANDPA! AUNTIE TIFF! GRANDMA! UNCLE JASON! HAYDEN! AVERY! SHANAAAAAAAY!
Tuesday ended with pink skies and Tiff’s enchiladas. More Go Fish. Pat’s peppermint bark. A bottle of wine. Vay-cay.
Up next:Â presents, puzzles, turkey and a tractor.