So
this year we initiated a new plan for our family gatherings over the Christmas
holiday. Ideally, we would like to rent a cabin every year
somewhere near a ski resort and have everyone come. However, we were
having limited success because Christmas holiday is the hardest time to find a
cabin. So we decided to book a cabin a year in advance each year and let
the kids take turns choosing the location.
This first year it was our
turn to choose the location so last January we booked a beautiful cabin in Sundance, UT. The
dates for our winter holiday were Dec 27 - 30th. We started our trip from Sacramento, CA where we spent Christmas with d and Zhouyi. We left d's house on Dec 26 headed to Elko, NV each in our own cars. Near Winnemucca, NV we ran into a big snow storm that significantly slowed our travel. We were in our 4Runner which did fine in the snow but d's new hybrid Hyundi was a little dicey so we dragged into the hotel at Elko late that night. The next day the storm had moved further east and we were worried about hitting it again when we got to Utah but we had no further trouble. When we got to Provo we stopped to rent skis in order to avoid the lines at the resort. Then we headed up to the cabin.
The cabin is very near the Sundance resort (within walking distance) and we had a view of the ski slopes from the cabin deck. The cabin was amazing with lots of room for everyone including a loft with beds for all the grandkids (Akston, Reayen, Elynn, Denae, Beau, and Meila....Euan slept with his parents). The Keeton's were first to arrive so they were already there when we came along with d and Zhouyi. Topher and My didn't arrive until after midnight that night. Rachael and Kevin missed out this year because they spent their Christmas holiday in Scotland, England and Ireland (pretty nice alternative).
 |
| Great Room in the cabin |
 |
| They even provided a Christmas tree |
 |
| Talking around the kitchen table |
 |
| Great views everywhere! |
 |
| Grandma & grandkids |
 |
| The fireplace insert helped keep us warm |
 |
| View of the ski slopes from the cabin balcony |
d immediately began setting up a gaming center on the bottom floor using the big screen TV. That, along with the pingpong table, foosball table, and indoor spa provided all the indoor entertainment we needed.
 |
| Rec Room with d's video game set-up |
 |
| Enjoying some down time |
 |
| Relaxing in the spa |
Unlike last year, this year there was plenty of snow for all outdoor activities. The first morning in the cabin we started with sliding down the hills on the sleds and discs we found in the garage of the cabin.
 |
| Elynn - so cold! |
 |
| Sliding down the hill by the cabin |
 |
Snowman built by the kids
(the snow was too powdery to make snow balls) |
Then Liz began a shuttle service in the car to the Sundance ski resort for the skiers (even though the cabin was within walking distance of the resort it couldn't be walked with ski boots and equipment). Everyone skied except Liz, Zhouyi and Euan, so the shuttle service was kept pretty busy. Kathryn had arranged ski lessons for all the grandkids on the first afternoon and they all practiced on the bunny slope with their teachers (the ski lessons were definitely a good investment).
 |
| Skiers heading for the slopes |
 |
| Reayen with her unicorn helmet |
 |
| Meila with her ski instructor |
 |
| Elynn with her ski instructor |
 |
| Akston & Reayen skiing down |
 |
| John, Akston, Reayen, & Kathryn on the slopes |
 |
| Akston coming through the gate |
On the second day we all went skiing again. I was having a great time on the slopes but was pushing my luck with my knee. However, I had promised Akston I would ski a run with him before I was through so around noon we hooked up and skied a couple of runs together. We had a great time! After that I could tell I was done and it was time to go the cabin and hit the hot tub. That evening, Kathryn, John, Akston and d went night skiing to finish off their ski adventure. The rest of us stayed in the warm cabin and watched movies and fell asleep.....it had been an exciting day.
 |
| Grandpa watching movies with the girls |
 |
| My & Beau after a long day |
 |
| Zhouyi & Euan |
Next morning we reluctantly checked out of the cabin but took some group photos before our exit. We had to balance the iPhone on a chair and try to get everyone to smile at the same time for the picture...quite a feat with this group!
 |
| Reayen, Denae, Euan, Liz, Beau, Meila, Lee, Elynn, Akston |
 |
| Back Row - d, Zhouyi, My, Topher, Kathryn, John |
We left the cabin and went down to Provo to see a movie at the theater. d and Zhouyi headed home with their kids and the Keetons went to the airport to catch their flight. After the movie Liz and I went to visit Grandma Dayton along with Topher, My and their kids. We met Johathan Dayton (my nephew) who was also visiting Grandma so it was good to see his family as well.
 |
Grandma Dayton with the Topher Daytons
and the Johathan Daytons |
We stayed a couple of nights with Grandma because Liz had an LLC meeting with her family in Salt Lake on Dec 31. We had dinner with Liz's siblings and had a chance to catch up with her brother Alan and her sister Kathryn who didn't make it out to the reunion at our place in December. We also drove by the old house in Oak Hills in Provo where I grew up....a little nostalgia. It was really cold...single digits during the day.
 |
| My boyhood home in Provo |
On January 1 we headed for home, staying overnight in Pueblo, CO and arriving home the evening of Jan 2. We arrived with a warm feeling in our hearts for family and for the occasions that bring us together. Every once in a while those occasions are truly magical and exceed our expectations.....this trip was one of those occasions....we will never forget it.
