It’s the fourth and final recap post from our ski/snowboarding trip to Park City, Utah!
If you missed the first parts, let’s review really quickly…
PART ONE started with all the praise hands for the National Abilities Center! Thanks to them, sweet Ashby was able to ski!! You can read all about the NAC plus Madeley’s first time on the slopes HERE. I also share some yummy places that we ate including our VERY favorite restaurant from the whole trip!
PART TWO is how we spent our New Year’s Eve in Park City! We hit the town on this day and then partied until the wee hours of 10:00 pm 😉 .
In PART THREE, we went on a carriage ride through the snow PLUS, I shared my “uniform” for traveling.
And today?
PART FOUR.
Here you go…
…this was our third and final day to ski together as a family. We walked out the door on this morning and it was ZERO DEGREES!
Again, I must give Andrew 100% of the credit because he packed up our ski stuff and, we had plenty of warm layers, so that we were not cold.
Heading out the door with my boy!
Here we are! Six Shulls braving the weather to get one more ski day in!
On this day, Smith had asked for a private lesson to work on his snowboarding turns and both Madeley and Ashby were in ski school which meant…
…just the three of us ski/snowboarded together!
Ahhhhh!
How fun is that?!
Kensington kept saying “so this is what it’s like to be an only child”. Hahahaha!
The three of us skied together all morning long, but then right before lunch, I told them they could go off and ski the blues together while I got coffee (this girl is not ready to pizza down the blues yet!). So, I sat outside (in the freezing cold) and drank my coffee while watching a bit of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on my phone…
…and then, while I was sitting here, I saw this baby start to toddle up to that fence (he was on the other side). I started watching him and he then, sat down on his bottom and slid underneath the fence towards me and then started down the sidewalk. Alone. I quickly jumped up and followed the baby while looking around for adults to be you know…missing him, when all of a sudden, I saw two VERY frantic grandparents. I started waving my arms like crazy for them to see me and when they did, they looked so relieved. Grandpa was like “I swear, I was just watching him” and Grandma was like “Don’t you want us to babysit your kids?”. Hahaha! They were so sweet! Apparently, he was 18 months old. So…I sat, drank coffee, watched Maisel and found a baby. #allinadayswork 😉
Then, I met up with Andrew, Smith and Kensington for lunch. (The little girls had ski school until 3:00.)
Chili for lunch after skiing is just the best thing EVER!
Andrew sent me a few snowboarding pics from Smith’s instructor that morning…
Kensington and I decided to head back to Main Street while Smith and Andrew snowboarded some more after lunch…
…four years ago to that day, the four of us were in Beijing, China on a journey that would change our lives FOREVER. It’s crazy to think how far we’ve come in four years. These big kids of mine have been absolutely amazing through all of it.
At 3:00, Kensington and I went back to the mountain to pick up the little girls from ski school…
…they were so proud!! They both did AWESOME! They were in different classes but got to eat lunch together. Ashby was all, “Mom, Madeley picked French fries and rice to eat for lunch!”. Hahaha! #wherewereyourproteinandveggiesmadeley
After that, we cleaned up and walked to dinner on Main Street. As we were walking there, we saw…
…a man holding an owl.
Go ahead and file that under “things I didn’t think I’d see”.
Dinner on this night was so good!! We entered the restaurant and tried to take a pic…
…thank you, Ashby for participating! We had the yummiest meal at…
…Riverhorse!
Our table was great! I have no idea why Madeley isn’t smiling. Hahahaha!
There she is!! All smiles 🙂 . I had the macadamia crusted halibut and it was divine!
Love my peeps!
After our yummy dinner, we went back and went to sleep.
The next morning, we slept in a little and then had brunch at…
…The Bridge Cafe & Grill.
Last full day on vacation!
Eggs Benedict for me! Yes, please!
After this, the boys hit the slopes one last time to snowboard and the girls wanted to…
…ice skate some more!
She feels so independent out there!
When we were done, we met back up with the boys and then just Ashby and me went to do something special for her Gotcha Day…
…she wanted her nails polished 🙂 . Her Gotcha Day was the very next day (when we were flying home), so we did it on this day. I am ALWAYS so pleased when people polish Ashby’s nails and do not ask a bunch of questions. This man was so sweet. He polished her nails, told me how sweet she was and that was it. I would say that it’s about 50/50. I know people are just innocently asking and have good intentions, but the moment always turns for Ashby when people grab her hand to polish her nails on the right side and start asking a lot of “why” questions. Ashby just wants you to polish her nails. She doesn’t want to tell the stranger all about it.
She was SO HAPPY!!
This girl is amazing, friends.
We cleaned up and then had one last family dinner in Park City.
We were so excited to eat at Prime on our last night. Steak, please!
When you steal your sister’s scarf…
We went to bed that night and then woke up to…
Ahhhhhh! We were all so excited!!!!
That morning, we drove back to Salt Lake City and flew home. Later that night, we had our traditional Gotcha Day dinner at PF Changs. We like to go there because they have the Terracotta Warriors just like in Xi’an (where Ashby is from). You can see the real ones we visited HERE.
Happy Gotcha Day to you, Happy Gotcha Day to you, Happy Gotcha Day to ASHBY! Happy Gotcha Day to YOU!!!
The perfect way to end our trip.
Whew!
That was Park City, friends!
Now, last year, I did a post called LESSONS FROM OUR FIRST SNOWBOARDING trip that you might find helpful too.
In the meantime, the Shull fam has lots of fun adventures planned for 2019! Stay tuned for more travels…and you better believe my packing cubes will be a part of each and every one 😉 .
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
So fun! I love that Ashby’s Gotcha Day was during the trip. It must’ve been an awesome day of celebrations for you! 🙂
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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Erika Slaughter says
Part Four might be my favorite…some skiing, some down time, some really yummy food, and Ashby Shull!
Sheaffer Sims says
One of the best part of skiing vacations is ALL THE YUMMY FOOD with NO GUILT! It’s been such fun following along on this trip and seeing all of your kiddos’ smiling faces. It’s obvious that everybody had the best time!
Narci says
Well, this post was fabulous! So much vacation fun plus a sweet gotcha day celebration for a precious girl. It doesn’t get much better than that! 🙂
Alexis deZayas says
What a fun trip! I’ve got to go to Park City asap!
Jodi says
What brand is your jacket for skiing? Can you post a link? Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
I bought it on our town square (we have a ski shop). I’m pretty sure it’s Spyder.
Valerie says
Happy Gotcha Day, Ashby! That piece of cake is almost as big as she is!
Tammy Williams says
What a great day making sweet memories. ? Thanks for sharing.
You can often find me at the lodge after the boys get tired of green skiing/bunny-sloping with this momma too. I’m usually ready for hot cocoa about the time they’re ready for blues.
Amy says
We were in Dallas a few days after Christmas and made a trip to the square and visited the ski shop!! My 4 year-old and 2 year-old came out with the cutest snow boots that we now wear every single day because they love them so much. And we live in Little Rock. Not much winter here!;)
Katie Cameron says
Can you do a post on the kids ski gear? It’d be helpful to hear especially since everyone was so warm!
Angie says
I love Riverhorse! That’s our special occasion restaurant. We just took our in laws there for their 40th wedding anniversary the day after Christmas. That halibut is amazing! Looks like you hit all the right spots.
Kristy says
I highly suggest coming to Banff Canada for your next ski adventure. Trust me, it’s a little piece of paradise. ?
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams says
LOVE Ashby ice skating and getting her nails done. she looks so happy! Madeley in K’s scarf with her Boston hat is one of the cutest pics of her! Looks like you ended the PC vacation right! I need to go back and visit my sister this winter. It’s such a fun place to visit!
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
Katie says
I’m surprised the ice skating rink didn’t have kids under a certain age wear helmets! Hope there were no big falls for anyone.
Susan Matthews says
I kind of hope Ashby never gets those front teeth. That gummy smile cracks me up and makes my day!
Debbra L Weber says
Greta trip and love your gothcha day posts! Thanks for sharing!! I know you shared the link for your winter coat, but I cannot remember which post it is under. Would you mind sharing that again. I have to travel with my son for an official college football visit weekend after next and I’m afraid it will be too cold for any of my coats to keep me warm. Would you mind sharing the coat Andrew wears for cold weather? If my son decides to go to school there next year, he will need a coat. No more sweatpants and sweatshirts to get him by. Thanks so much!! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
We both have on Burberry coats in this post! They’re so warm!!
Lindsay Duncan says
This looks like such a wonderful family trip!! Quick question, where did you get those darling faux fur jackets for Ashby and Madeley? My daughter had a “paw print” (that’s what she called it) jacket that she wore from age 2-4 but she has finally out grown it! We need a replacement and those coats were so cute!
Mix and Match Mama says
They’re both old. Boo. Madeley’s was from Gap last year and we bought Ashby’s two years ago in Park City when we visited with Tab and Erika.
Casey moore says
Would love recommendations for ski goggles! Both kids and adults!
Amy Baker says
What a wonderful trip with your family! Loved (as always) seeing all of your pictures! Happy Gotcha Day to Ashby – been following along with her story since the beginning. She is such a warrior and seems like such a blessing to all that know her. Thank you for sharing your trip!
Sara says
Ashby’s smile with all those missing teeth is so adorable! Also, I’m impressed that you took on learning to ski at 37. I’m determined to get my hubby out there next year when our littles will both be old enough to ski. Signing 3 up for ski lessons, ages 2, 4 and 40, hahaha!
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t want to not be included in things with my kids. If they’re going to hit the slopes, mama is going to learn too 🙂 . Have fun next year!!
Adddison says
Happy Gotcha Day to Ashby!!! What a fun family trip! Now I want to go visit Park City!
Bernadette Wilson says
I got the packing cubes!!! We are a military family of 6 and you better believe we will be using them when we move this year across the country and next year for our move when we head overseas! Thank you for the recommendation!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you so much for your service to our country! God bless you and your entire family!!
Chrys says
My favorite posts are your traveling posts. Can’t wait to see where you are headed this year! 🙂
Sharon says
where is your white beanie from?
Mix and Match Mama says
Doug and Lynda’s Ski Shop on our town square 🙂
carol says
You said you wear layers…do you wear long undies…silk….cotton? Ive been looking at them and trying to decide how well they work and which fabric is best. Another great vacation in the memory bank!
Mix and Match Mama says
We all wore Under Armour tights and long sleeve tops underneath everything.
Patty Anderson says
Definitely look into Smartwool or Patagonia baselayers!
Carrie says
First, I want to say I love your blog. I look forward to reading everyday! I want to buy your cookbooks (because I love you so much) but I am a vegetarian. Do you have any meatless meals in the cookbooks?
Mix and Match Mama says
Ah! Thank you so much, Carrie! I hear (from people I love) that so many of them can be tweaked to be meatless suppers, but no, there really aren’t a lot of meatless meals in there.
Carrie says
Thanks for the quick response. I’m going to give them a try. Might actually be kind of fun to find ways to make them without the meat. 🙂
Liz Thorson says
Loved this post, especially all of the sweet missing teeth pictures of sweet Ashby! I’m so thrilled for her that she was able to experience skiing and ice skating! Her smiles shared her excitement and pride in accomplishment! What a fun family vacation! Love how much Smith enjoys the mt. and his determination to become a better snowboarder! He’s one versatile athlete! I can see he and Andrew loving boys’ trips to the mts. over the years ahead, maybe with Uncle Sean and Samuel or Tab and Nixon?
Sarah DeWald says
1. I’m totally with Madeley on the French fries and rice when unsupervised.
2. I empathize on a very small level with Ashby. I’m Asian and every single time I go for a manicure, the technicians ask me very personal questions about my heritage. I’m adopted and don’t want to talk about it with a total stranger.
Trina says
what is the brand of the white beanie?
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t know????