After my brother’s wedding last week, we headed to Colorado to spend a week with most of Jesse’s extended family. It was our first time to go on a Ski Trip and we had no idea if we would like it or if it wouldn’t be our thing at all.
1. Silas & Kathrynne Loving Skiing/Snowboarding
Kathrynne and Silas absolutely fell in love with snow sports. Kathrynne was a natural on the snowboard — which was no big surprise since she loves her ripstick.
But we were surprised how Silas took to skiiing. We had him go to Ski School the first day because he really, really wanted to go. And by the time we picked him up, he was 100% hooked. (You can see a video of him skiing here.)
2. Being Able to Laugh At Myself
And I may have lost my ever-lovin’ mind but I tried snowboarding one day. No, I’ve never done any snow sports before except building a snowman. 😉 No, I do not like cold. No, I am not athletic or coordinated.
But this year, I’m committed to embracing life more, making fun a priority, and being more adventurous. So I went out and gave it my all. And here’s what I posted on Instagram…
Yes, I don’t think I’m going to be scouted for the Olympics or anything, but it was so good to go out and do something different and hard… and to tackle it head-on and to laugh at just how downright awful I was at it much of the time. 🙂 I was pretty sure that snow sports were not among my core competencies and we certainly confirmed that suspicion! 🙂
3. Kaitlynn Learning How to Crochet
While we were in Colorado, Aunt Lisa taught how to crochet. Kaitlynn picked it up like nobody’s business and is now working on crocheting a beautiful blanket!
I’ve always wanted to know how to do more than a basic crochet stitch, so I can’t wait for her to teach me!! It’s so fun when your kids are old enough that they are the ones teaching you!
I loved the fact that she was so happy to be inside crafting while her siblings wear out tearing up the slopes on skis and a snowboard. She’s a girl after my own heart… Well minus the ninja crafting abilities.
But the staying inside and enjoying the cabin and fire and quiet, risk-free activities? I’m so there!!
4. Home Sweet Home
We got home last night and I can’t even begin to describe to you how happy I am to be home. I also forgot how much I missed sleeping in my own bed!
We’ve had a lot of adventures the past month or so, but I am completely and fully ready for the Year of Rest to commence!
To celebrate, I slept in, stayed in my PJs, and just had a leisurely day of unpacking and decluttering. It felt SO good!
5. 13 Years of Marriage
Jesse and I celebrate our 13th anniversary tomorrow. I couldn’t imagine loving this man any more than I did on our wedding day, but 13 years later, I totally do.
I love how this man constantly encourages me and cheerleads me, but also challenges me to not play it safe. I would never leave the comfortable and do things like attempt to snowboard if it wasn’t for him and his love of adventure.
Here’s to a year of jumping out of those ruts I get stuck in, making memories, taking time for fun, and embracing life fully.
What are you loving this week? Tell us in the comments.
Tamboliya says
Happy Anniversary! 🙂 Congrats! 🙂
Sara says
Hi Crystal,
I live in Colorado, Summit County to be exact, and worked for years at Keystone. However, I am so with you when it comes to enjoying risk-free activities. I am a homebody and love to read, craft, etc. Most people cannot believe that I don’t ski or snowboard, but I don’t like it. I tried skiing a few times and decided that it wasn’t for me. I do enjoy snowshoeing but only when it’s sunny and not too cold outside. 😉
If you decide to come up here again, try to do it in the summer. The temperatures are very mild, and there’s no humidity. That’s the reason why I live here, I love hiking up the mountains, it’s not only beautiful but so relaxing.
Crystal Paine says
I’m so glad to know that I’m not alone!!
Heather says
Happy Anniversary! You are a braver woman than me to get on a snowboard and I live in Colorado. I would rather sit in the lodge by the fire and encourage my kids when they come in for hot chocolate. By the way, you inspired me to learn knitting. Thank you so much for that.
Crystal Paine says
Oh yay! I’m so glad I inspired you to knit!
Victoria says
Congrats on 13 years! I hope you to do something to celebrate!
5 Things I am Loving This Week
1. A really good book: Read Crossing Oceans this week in just 2 sittings-it was that good.
2. Date Day: January is hopping busy for my hubby so we decided date day was going to be Sunday after church until bed. We took a nap, saw the new Star Wars movie and went out for dinner. LOVE date day.
3. Yoga: I signed up for Yoga since I can’t do much else physical with this foot injury. I am 2 weeks in and hooked! I feel leaner and stronger already!
4. Yoga pants: Okay so first of all I have a confession I have yet to wear yoga pants to yoga class (I wear capris leggings) BUT I have been living in yoga pants for 3 weeks straight and loving it. My excuse I have to wear running shoes due to my injury and they look funny with my skinny jeans!
5. Hoopla: A new app I found this week that lets me borrow audio books, music CD’s, and videos through my local library for FREE!
Crystal Paine says
I LOVE all of these!
brittney says
Congratulations on your anniversary. 13 years is something to be proud of and I hope you guys have many more happy years together.
Awesome job on the snowboarding. I consider myself somewhat athletic and adventurous but I really don’t like winter sports at all. Snowboarding or skiing just doesn’t seem fun to me. I prefer sports where I don’t have to layer a ton of clothes:)
The one thing I’m loving most this week is the chance to get away for the weekend with my husband and daughter. We had chilly weather but we stayed in an awesome cottage with a hot tub and my daughter had a great time riding her bicycle(a Christmas present). It was a nice family trip that we really needed.
Theresa L says
Happy Anniversary! Wishing you many, more happy years together!
I’m loving having my living room back! I packed away all the Christmas stuff and it’s wonderful to have all the space again. I’m also loving my amazing friends. We’re going through a rough time right now with our 12 year old son and I’m so blessed to have great friends who I know are praying and who I can count on when I need them!
Christie says
I’m from Florida and tried snowboarding once…I really enjoyed it but it took me 2 full days of riding to get the hang of it! That was over 9 years I ago so I think if I were to go again (now in my 30’s!) I would be starting over from scratch. So don’t feel bad – you’re not alone!! 🙂
Diane says
Happy anniversary!
I just read Dear Mr Knightly and What Alice Forgot. Thank you for your recommendation!
Monica says
Yay for you and your snowboarding attempt! We learned in church that morning that being courageous is contagious! By sharing your video of you getting out of your comfort zone, it is inspiring others to try something new. I was feeling a little envy at your first picture of the beautiful snowy surroundings. Then I remembered that I don’t even like to be cold! Ha!
Happy Anniversary!
K Ann Guinn says
I’m loving educating myself and working on my new blog! (Thanks for your encouragement and all the available information and tools through your business.)
It’s been a blessing to have more time right now to read, in order to learn more and grow in many areas of my life.
I’m looking forward with anticipation (and sometimes mild anxiety), to seeing what God has for me in this next season of my life, especially for work.
Blessings on your marriage and anniversary!
Sarah@TheOrthodoxMama says
Congratulations! May God grant you many blessed years together. The highlight of my week might be this very moment. I’m getting a bit of work done and my two oldest and happily reading away on the couch beside me. I have enjoyed the “littles” stage, but I am also excited about this new independence that they are developing.
Arianna says
Happy Anniversary to a great couple!
I am loving that your blog never cease to inspire me on so many levels…and I need constant inspiration.
Once in a while I make a mental list of all the things I have learned from you that have improved and enriched my life and one of these days I will email it to you 😉
Angela (Colour and Cotton) says
Happy anniversary! I’m trying to step out of my comfort zone this year, too, and say yes to more adventurous activities. I just love how adventurous your kids are, too!
Darlene says
Happy Anniversary to an inspiring couple and many more!
Darlene says
A year of rest sounds wonderful and will definitely soothe the soul. Good for you! I think that is smart. Totally relate to making time for fun because for some of us, this is just not something we do because of all of the household responsibilities, but we absolutely should– for our well-being. Life is about enjoyment along with work and the catch is to find the balance. Not always as easy as it sounds, but definitely a worthy goal for all of us to put on our to-do list.
Katie Westenberg says
Yay, for trying new things! I’m totally with you on snowboarding, but I love your brand of brave. It’s contagious! 🙂
Rose says
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!
claire says
Happy Aniversary x
Keelie Reason says
Beautiful couple….Beautiful marriage. 🙂
Need A Nap2 says
Happy Anniversary!