Another snowy Manson getaway

Carson wanted to go to Manson again for his birthday for more skiing.  We booked the trip right away and were counting down.  Sadly, a week before our trip we found out that Echo Valley ski hill was closed for the season.  What the heck?!?  It was too late to make new plans so we decided to go anyway and find some adventures.  Carson was a little disappointed but made the best of it.

We stopped at our favorite coffee shop on the way.  Look how much snow they had!  Even though it was cold and snowy Carson still had to have an ice cream!  😄

Our first stop after checking in was to Wapato Point Cellars.  Chelan and Manson were celebrating the "month of love" so they had wine and chocolate pairings.  SO delicious and such a treat!  Lance and I wine tasted inside while the kids played in the snow outside.  Perfection.

We decided on pizza in the hotel room for dinner while watching a movie.  Carson's choice!

That night the kids hung out in the hot tub while Lance and I sat by the fire with a cocktail.  It was so beautiful with the snow and lights!

This is a video of the kids doing a "polar bear challenge."

The next day we walked the Chelan Riverwalk Park loop.  The lake was so pretty with the snow surrounding it.  There were giant icicles everywhere!

After our walk we ate lunch at a mexican restaurant in Chelan and then drove up to Echo Ridge to try and find some sledding.  We ended up finding a great hill just off the parking lot where the kids made a great sledding track.  They spent hours playing in the snow and sledding.

After sledding we stopped at Tipsy Canyon winery for more wine and chocolate pairings.  It was our first time at this winery.  It was so beautiful and had great views of the lake.  There was a great outdoor area and a little hill where the kids could sled.  We will definitely be back!

That night we ate at the Lake Chelan Brewery and had more hot tub and fire time.  We ended the night with a movie in the room.  

We had to stop at 97 Rock House on the way home.  Did I mention it is my favorite coffee place?  

The Craigs got a new toy!

 

Last week we surprised the kids with a new toy.  They knew we had been looking at getting a travel trailer for a while, but they had no idea that Lance would bring one home one random Wednesday afternoon.  

They are very excited and have been spending lots of time in it.  They watch TV, eat dinner, and play video games in it.  Needless to say we are very excited for all the camping trips and adventures to come!

Snowy weekend at home

 

A couple of Saturdays ago we awoke to a blanket of snow.  It was so beautiful!  I had to go to work, but the kids spent the day sledding and playing in the snow with friends. 

It snowed Saturday night and Sunday was another winter wonderland.  Lance and Rylee made a little sledding hill in the backyard.  They used that sledding hill for a couple more days, even after the rain had melted most of the snow.  So much fun!

Here is a video of Lance and Rylee's sledding hill in the backyard.

Back to school... finally!

The kids are finally back to school after almost a year.  They are only going 2 days a week, but its something!  The other 3 days they will be doing virtual school.  Carson started last Tuesday.  He was so excited to get back and see his teacher and friends!  He needs the social aspect and he also needs his teacher to motivate and push him.  He has a hard time listening to mom and dad when it comes to school.  I don't know how many times I've heard "You're not the teacher." 😠

Rylee started a week and a half late after having to quarantine due to a covid exposure from our hairdresser.  She was super bummed to miss the first few days, but time flew and now she's back!  She had a great first day and was happy to see her friends and teacher.  Fingers crossed the sports teams start up again soon too!

Happy 9th Birthday Carson!

Carson had a few friends/ neighbors over on Saturday to celebrate his birthday.  He requested doughnuts from Legendary Doughnuts instead of a cake or cupcakes.  Easy peasy and delicious!  

I can't believe he is 9 already!  Such a little man.  So smart and sweet, with a definite stubborn side.

The boys had fun eating pizza and snacks, playing games, and hanging out.  The weather was decent enough that they even got outside to play on the trampoline.

He got some great gifts...  money, Nintendo gift card, Dairy Queen gift card and a Mario water bottle.   his friends know him so well!

On his actual birthday he celebrated with his favorite things: A bacon and gouda breakfast sandwich/ steamer from Starbucks, video games, a little bit of virtual school, video games, went to the skate park where he happened to see some friends, opened some gifts, video games, dinner from Wendys, and more video games.  Sounds like a perfect day for a 9 year old boy!  🤣

New tricks at the skate park

 

The kids have been obsessed with the skate park for a while now, but even more so since Carson got his BMX bike for Christmas.  They've become regulars at the park and are starting to get to know the kids that are there frequently.  Their confidence grows every time they are there, and they are starting to try new tricks.  Its very fun to watch them!

Manson Winterfest 2020

 

Our winterfest trip this year looked a little different than usual, but it was still a great time.  In fact, it may have been one of my favorite trips yet!  We rented a beautiful house with our friends Sherman, Elisabeth and their two boys, Ronan and Theron.  The house was gorgeous and modern, had a big covered deck and a view of Lake Chelan.  We arrived Friday night and had a low key, relaxing evening.  We got pizza to go and let the kids run around and play.

Saturday was sunny and beautiful.  We slept in and then spent some time on the deck with the patio heater playing skipbo.  Later in the afternoon we went up the sleep to Radiance Winery.  The winery had a big field with snow so the kids had a great time playing in the snow while the parents wine tasted.

We lucked out with the best seat outside to wine taste.  They even gave out free smores and hot dogs.  It was a great time.  The wine was delicious!  We even got to sample their mulled wine.

Saturday night we ventured into downtown Manson to see all the lights and the fireworks show.  I enjoyed some mulled wine.  🍷

The lights were so pretty!  The town was so fun to see all lit up.  

Sunday morning we went up to Echo Ridge for some skiing.  It was crazy busy, I've never seen it like that.  Sadly, the rental place ran out of kids skis so Ronan was not able to ski.  Luckily we had hand me down skis for Carson and Rylee fit into my skis and boots so they were able to enjoy the day.  The kids did a ski lesson and they were lucky enough to get a private lesson!  They had so much fun.  Carson ended up sharing his skis a little so Ronan could try them out.  The kids had the best day.

It was a beautiful, warm day.  The parents just relaxed with warm beverages while the kids had ski/ snow time.  Absolutely perfect day.

That evening the parents sat outside by the fire and enjoyed the view while the kids watched a movie.  It was a great end to a great day!

Monday we headed to Leavenworth for some sledding.  The snow was icy which made for some really fast sledding.  Our friends went home that afternoon, but we decided to stay one night in town so we could enjoy the lights in downtown Leavenworth.  I absolutely love Leavenworth in the wintertime!

That afternoon we ran into our friend Julie who told us about these awesome igloos to have dinner/ drinks in at the Bavarian Lodge.  We decided to check it out and was so glad we did!  They were enclosed and heated.  SO fun!

We walked around town and checked out all the beautiful lights.  Leavenworth went all out on the lights this year- it was amazing!

After the lights and dinner we went back to the hotel for some swimming.  We stayed at the Enzian Inn which was really nice!  The pool was huge and the breakfast was amazing.  Made to order omelets and lots of other options.  They have someone play the alphorn every morning in the breakfast area, but the kids had zoom calls for school so we missed it.  Next time!

This was the view from our room in the morning.  Such a great way to wake up.

  We had a great little winter getaway.  We just love Chelan and Leavenworth, they never disappoint!