Lake Tahoe 2011

We're home, and I think we're finally recovered. The trip was absolutely wonderful! We couldn't have asked for things to go more smoothly. Even the car ride wasn't nearly as bad as we expected. We came home exhausted and completely content. So many happy memories wrapped up in the is trip (with the exception of the rock hitting Alyssa's head...more on that later!) Like all Lake Tahoe trips, there was lots of swimming, eating, playing, and fun quality family time.

Swimming

Colin loved hanging out in his "bee" pool,

but he could still play with and

eat the sand. Yum!

Even though the water was freezing, he loved going out with his dad and getting dunked to his shoulders.

My little beach bum.

Eating

We (my parents, the Callisons and us) took turns cooking dinners. We ate lots of yummy food and dessert each night.

Colin's Nana and Papa Gaebel were constantly "sneaking" him all kinds of yummy treats: ice cream, cookies, chips. He was spoiled and ate tons of junk...I guess that's what you do on vacation.

Playing

After dinner, my mom and dad would take Colin on a walk to the playground, so he would drink his milk. He loved swinging on the swing and going down the slide.

One day we took the boat over to the celebrity golf tournament being held in Tahoe. We eventually got kicked out for not buying a ticket, but not before seeing Michael Jordan, AJ Hawk, John Elway, Mike Modano, and many more.

Do you think Colin liked the boat? :) He screamed and clawed at his life jacket most of the way there. On the way back, my mom fed this potato chips and grapes...he was much happier.

Great Family Time

My Great Uncle Herb came with us again this year. He's so much fun, and I love that we get to vacation together.

Enjoying the view of Lake Tahoe from our cabin decks is a favorite pass time.

The gang: The Gaebels and the Whalens

Side Note: The low point of the trip was Alyssa getting hurt....We were sitting on the beach, and Kevin noticed the three/four-year old (with obvious developmental challenges) standing behind us had picked up a softball size rock. His arm was chocked and he was ready to throw. Kevin yelled "watch out," which prompted Alyssa to sit forward in her chair....probably to turn around and see what the fuss was about. The rock hit Alyssa smack on the top of her head and bounced (yes literally bounced) three feet away. Like a whale with a blow hole, she then started squirting blood out of the top of her head. It was nasty and awful! The bleeding stopped after a few minutes. Two staples and a huge headache later she was home with tales of her hot doctor and ready to go out drinking. As perviously planned, we still went out to Chevy's that night where she got a huge margarita. I think she earned it! We felt so sad for her! We love you, Aunt Issa!

Lake Tahoe 2010

Mid-July, we took our first family trip to Lake Tahoe. We loaded up our baby boy for the ten and a half hour car ride. Colin was a champ. He slept on and off the whole way there and back, and he didn't throw a fit when forced to eat in the back seat of the car, public parks, or a Denny's restaurant. (Yes, with my hooter hider on, I became one of those people!) I've been going to Lake Tahoe my whole life and didn't want to miss out this year, even with Colin being so little. We tried to relax and not become too stressed out by traveling with a newborn. Our mission was mostly accomplished. I am not going to lie...it was challenging at times. Kevin and I took turns stressing out and getting snippy (ok...the snippy part was mainly me!). The trip wasn't quite the "vacation" of years past. There were no lazy beach days and few afternoon naps. However, our time together with our family and the memories made were priceless. The extra effort was worth it. I love that we were able to continue my family traditions and also start new ones with Colin!

We went to the beach a few times throughout the week. We never stayed long because we were worried about Colin getting sunburnt and/ or dehydrated, but beach days in Tahoe cannot be missed. It's so beautiful there!

On day 2, we all went into Virginia City, an old western town. Uncle Herb, my dad, and the rest of the Gaebel family took a guided tram tour of the city. Liam and the AZ Whalens enjoyed a gun show and mined for gold.

Most nights, we cooked dinner together and enjoyed evenings "in" talking, playing games, and being silly. One night we took a walk down to the beach to enjoy the sunset and beautiful evening views.

On our last day in Tahoe, Kevin took the plunge. For the first time ever (after being harassed by Alyssa for two years), Kevin took the leap off the dock into the freezing cold Tahoe water. The picture is of Alyssa on the left, Kev in the middle, and me on the right. Mom was the photog and babysitter. Earlier in the week, all the AZ Whalens (including 2 year old Molly) also jumped off the dock!

Reliving an old childhood memory, we went down the magic carpet slide. It really was as fun as we remembered! :) It was the perfect way to wrap up our last night in Lake Tahoe.

I know it will be tough to travel to Tahoe again next year with one-year old (probably tougher than this year), but I hope we always make the extra effort to take those important family trips...even if they are no longer "vacations" for Kevin and me. If we become home bodies and start complaining that things are too hard to do with kiddos...kick our butts for us, will ya?