Steamboat Springs

If you ask Karsten why we decided to take a Family Weekend away in Steamboat Springs, he will gladly tell you it is because that is where "Kasey was Boring".  We are pretty sure he means "Born", but none the less.... We were on our way to Big Adventures!  We left work a little early and headed out in hopes of getting to the hotel in time for pizza and pool time!  We had a full kitchen so we were able to bring a Papa Murphys Take and Bake with us!

Who has an hour to wait after pizza?  Not us... we gotta keep moving!  Down to the pool, boys!  As you have seen, the boys have been practicing really hard at their swimming classes.  This was their time to show off!  We watched them jump in, go under by themselves, and kick around like crazy men!  We even had some time for the "Hot Pool" as the boys call it.  No worries ~ they only got in up to their waists and didn't stay in long.

After swimming up a storm, we caught some down time in the hotel.  Amy's favorite part of the weekend? No Plans!  We woke up when we wanted, got ready when we wanted and headed out to play when we wanted.  Kris' most frustrating part?... No Plans.  ha.

At least this part wasn't frustrating!  Perfect Night!

We had originally planned to snow shoe up in steamboat and brought all of the appropriate gear.  Snow shoes, winter coats, hats, gloves... only problem was Steamboat forgot to bring enough snow!  So, our snow shoe adventure turned into a hiking one.  We carried the boys on our backs up the hill and they walked all the way backdown.  I think it was about 3 miles round trip.

Ready for the cold weather....



Amy got rather warm ~ rather quickly

No hike is complete without a Snowball Fight!

Run, Kasey!  Karsten has his eye on you!  We had a blast throwing snowballs at each other and of course climbing up some snow hills.

Steamboat Ski Resort behind the boys

Unbelievably gorgeous day in Steamboat.  We were so blessed with Great Weather and couldn't believe how friendly everyone was on the trail!  Everyone we passed offered to take a family photo!  You just don't find that down here in Denver.

After we finished our workout... it was time for a shake.  Hey, we Earned it!  Mallory was nice enough to give us some suggestions of tasty restaurants in town and Johnny B Good's Diner was on the list.  She even told us to check out the "Shake Board".  Wasn't quite sure what that meant, but glad we asked our waiter!  The shake board is something the locals use.  Someone can buy a shake for their friend to cash in at a later date.  Mallory was sweet enough to buy us a Shake!  I have never been so excited to be a part of the "Tonnode Family".  Am guessing they had trouble hearing the name over the phone.  Ha! At any rate ~ So Sweet to have such a Magical Milkshake for the kiddos!

Our name is 2nd on list - top left corner
"Malory - Tonnode Fam"
(We think this is from Mallory! ha)

Ours were Magical Adult Milkshakes - YUM!
Peppermint patty and Grasshopper!

We needed a little downtime and checked out a local restaurant, Carls, that is owned by a friend of a friend.  Was the perfect spot for watching the Rams game!  The kids found it so cozy that they decided to conk out the Entire game!  Oh well, at least they were rested for the remainder of our day!

Gotta check out the Famous FM Lights while we are here.  Wonder if Mallory ever worked here growing up... hmmm.  Fun to think about as we tour where she lived!  Kasey loved the sheriff badges they handed out and Karsten was more than a little thrilled with the horse out front!

YEE - HAW!

Was that really only one day?  Hard to believe... unless you are in our family. Ten pounds of goodness in a five pound bag - that is how we roll!  Day two was as relaxing in the morning, but just as busy during the day.

Downtime watching cartoons with brother!

We enjoyed catching part of the Vikings game at the Old Town Pub (another Great suggestion from Mallory).  Amy loved the atmosphere and Kasey Loved the fried pickles!

We also got to take a few fun car rides to see the city and countryside. Karsten enjoyed cuddling with his new "Moosie" and Kasey enjoyed dancing to the songs on the radio in his new Steamboat T-shirt.  He was so excited about his shirt that he tried to put it on after being buckled.  Needless to say - we stopped and fixed it so he could wear it comfortably, but it was quite the site!

Boy, we have been having a blast as family up here in Steamboat.  But, we can't forget the real reason we were up here.  Kasey wanted to see where he was born and coincidentally, this weekend actually lined up with National Adoption Day (Nov 23rd)!  On Saturday, we stopped by Yampa Valley Medical Center to show him the hospital.  Kasey enjoyed it so much, he asked to go back on Sunday!

I love the difference between pictures.  What a beautiful sunny day on Saturday and what a change in weather on Sunday!  Quite a bit chillier!  We got to go check out one of the rooms on the 2nd day, which brought back many memories for us.  Amy's favorite memory was playing scrabble with Mallory after Kasey was born.  The hospital was rather empty 4 years ago with Kasey being the only baby born that day.  That meant, they let us have a room across from Mallory.  It allowed us to stay with Kasey and have some time to be with Mallory as well. We took Kasey home on Christmas Day and what a gift!  Mallory is an Amazing woman who gave us an Unmatchable Gift.  We had no idea how profoundly our lives would be changed by our decision to adopt in 2009. We are blessed beyond words and those blessings continued to multiply when we found out about our little Karsten on the way!  And to know that those blessings started here at Yampa Valley is a marvelous feeling.