Leavenworth

 

 

 

We rented this place (VRBO.com) specially selected since it could contain our dogs in a fully fenced yard and had sleeping cabins perfect for two families.  We had a blast!  Although there was not as much snow as we were hoping for, but there was snow and we DID sled (which was our ultimate goal). 

 

We were celebrating (a bit late) Lance’s 40th birthday and nothing like a sledding adventure to make sure you know you’re not 20 anymore! 

 

We left on Saturday morning of President’s Day weekend and stopped at the pass since it was snowing and got the kids to stretch their legs, but it was too windy and no good place to really play.  So onward we went!  And about one minute from the pass (on either side) it was raining…. we were worried about the weather.  But, down a bit on the other side – we could see the sun shining and the clouds parting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We arrived at the cabins and they were lovely.  So cozy and cabin-like.  No frills here, but everything we needed including some binoculars!

 

 

Main Lodge

One of the sleeping cabins (there are two separate sleeping cabins on each side of the Main Lodge)

Our view from the Main Lodge – We are definitely thinking about coming back for the summertime!  I mean – look at that pool!

 

There was even a playground!

 

 

And our view of the Enchantments that evening – stunning!

 

 

One of the best (and totally cool!) things was that the deck had warmers, all you had to do is flip the switch!  We sat out on the deck while the kids played and we were fine.  It wasn’t that cold, but the warmers along with our clothes made it just fine.  I want warmers now!

 

And of course, Sara enjoying her “beer”. 

 

Oops!  She’s out!  Daddy giving her a bit more to tide her over. 

 

 

 

And a happy Daddy and a happy Sara!

Bottoms up!

 

 

The kids had so much fun with their friends, playing with toys and games, outside.  It was a weekend well spent! 

 

My kids don’t have any cousins,  Lance is an only and my sister has no kids.  I have so many good memories of spending summer time in Colorado with my cousins and Grandma and Grandpa.  I consider these kids to be my kid’s cousins.   They will grow up together – seeing each other grow up and having fun. 

 

I made some fantastic home-made apple cinnamon stone ground oatmeal and Sara loved it!  Which is good, usually she’s a picky morning eater!

 

 

 

We hit the slopes on Saturday afternoon at our “secret” spot at Enchantment Park in Leavenworth.  It’s a baseball park, but in the winter with the snow – it turns into a perfect sledding spot!  And not many people there – so its not crowded at all – even on a long weekend!

 

 

 

 

Alex and Oliver had such a blast!  Alex and Oliver are two boys that totally understand each other!

 

 

 

There also is a nice playground there – so Sara really enjoyed this too!

 

 

 

 

 

Alex made a “heart” snowball!

 

And a hot tub to soak away all the sore muscles after days filled with sledding!

 

 

Sledding more on Monday!  We were hoping to go for a horse drawn sleigh ride like we did last time we were there (link), but it was too icy and too slushy for the horses.  Note to self – go in January next year!  Last time we went – I was 6 months pregnant with Sara and Alex was almost 3.  So, Sara was the same age as Alex when he went.  (oh – and note how my face is totally the same and how my my photo skills have changed over those 3 years!  Cool!)  And I still have a sled-loving boy, who wants to go faster, more, bigger sled hills. 

 

 

Oh yeah – I’m there too!  Since I’m the one taking the pics – I have to ask Lance to show that I was actually there!

 

 

Sara rockin’ at Wiggle Worms

Sara was rockin’ it at Wiggle Worms a couple of weekends ago – an outfit picked out all by herself!

Why yes – you do indeed “Sparkle” Sara (her shirt says “I sparkle”)!

4 staples (or ER visit #4 for kid #1)

You were jumping/wrestling on your bed with a friend last Saturday and you fell back (were pushed back hard?) and hit your head on the head of your bed. You must have hit hard and just the right (wrong) spot. It probably hurt pretty badly and you instinctively reached back.

 

And that's when the freak out started. Blood, and lots of it.  Head wounds bleed A LOT. 

 

We heard a blood curdling scream, and you ran to us downstairs.

 

I quickly asked Daddy for one… no… two towels

 

One for you to put your forehead on the counter (softer that way) and one for the back of your head. I pushed your head down and put the other towel on the back of your head.  I asked your Daddy to hold it after I got you all set up.  Your Dad held then held towel for a minute and I took a couple of peeks. It wasn't that big of a gash, maybe 1+ inch. But, we know from experience that head wounds go to the ER.  And it was going to need something to close it up….

 

So a call the friend’s Mom to pick him up, grab a few snacks. (You never know how long it will take at the ER, if it’s not an “emergency”, then I highly recommend grabbing something to snack on to bring with you.  If it’s an emergency – call 911 or just grab the car keys.  Snacks are the last thing you should think about).  And we are out the door.  (of course with my camera too).

 

We arrive at the ER and walk right in (not busy at all this particular Saturday afternoon at ~4pm). The staff and nurses & Docs are amazingly nice and so great, some of them even say what happened to them when jumping on their bed when they were 5 (broken arms, broken fingers, gashes in other places, etc).  I think this makes you feel better, your not the only one. 

 

They put some numbing liquid on it for a while. They ask the usual questions about loss of consciousness and nausea, no and no. Mental state, normal. They rinse it off and we all take a good look (well, the Doc, me and your Dad did – not you).  I ask the Doctor – Is it deeper that you thought?  (all the while thinking please please please - don’t say that it was down to his skull in front of my 5 year old, pretty please?)  It was deeper than we all thought.  Thankful he didn’t use the “s” (skull) word. 

 

It was down to your connective tissue covering your skull. Yikes!!!!!

 

That is what you were worried about on the way to the ER. That “bad” bugs would get into your skull and/or that your skull was broken and you were going to die.  In fact, you kept asking me those questions over and over.  I had to hold you and calm you down for the whole car ride (in the back seat of the car with me holding the towel against your head unbuckled the whole way – gasp!).

 

We had the choice of stitches (have to shave your hair around the wound) or staples.  We chose staples.   Way quicker and no shaving, no real benefit over stitches on the back of your head. 

 

You were brave, but it did hurt a bit even with numbing injections. Four staples and some discharge papers later and we were outta there in ~ 1 hour.

 

Super fast and friendly staff and everyone at the ER. Thankful for good healthcare and snuggles.

 

No more monkeys jumping on the bed!

 

WARNING: If you get queasy about wound pictures – this would be the time to not scroll down. 

 

 

P.S.  The staples have now been taken out and he has a little scab back there, but the wound looks great and healed perfectly.  All to be covered up by his hair, no scar in sight. 

 

 

Putting the iodine on it.

 

 

 

After the stapes were put in, they pulled some of the hair out of the staples so it didn’t get stuck in the scab/staples.

 

The freshly stapled “wound” with the staples and Neosporin.  He was very interested in seeing what it looked like and wanted me to take this picture so he could see it. 

 

Sara was the usual fantastic helper.  Very supportive of her big brother (I mean…. Monkey).