Ben and I were fortunate enough to go back to Steamboat, but this time we brought Emery and met up with Ben's entire family. That's a lot of Slagels on one mountain. We were gone for eight days and had so much fun, even if the weather was too cold for skiing several days. Emery was very brave on her skis and loved zooming down the hill. She also enjoyed riding the chair lift. I just cannot get over her incredible attitude. Baby girl is loving life! She makes the most of every situation, whether it's getting stuck on an airplane for hours on end, riding on an escalator, elevator, airport train, shuttle bus, gondola, or "magic carpet," Emery makes everything fun. She waves to everyone she sees and asks "what you doing?" about seventy times per day. She's also becoming fiercely independent and will not let me help her do anything! This is kind of comical, but also very frustrating when she insists on feeding herself or pouring her juice and spills stuff everywhere.....or when she refuses to hold my hand while walking across the street and then has a meltdown when I won't let go. I think we've hit the "terrible twos" a might early. But back to our trip....we were joined by Ben's parents, both brothers, sister-in-law, niece and nephew. Emery adores her cousins, aunt, uncles and grandparents. She was spoiled rotten for over a week but is readjusting to normal life quickly. Thank you, Linda and Jerry, for a wonderful family vacation!
When Emery wasn't skiing, she was either coloring or swimming in the hot tub. In the picture above she is getting ready to go hot tubbing while coloring. A box of crayons and an enormous coloring book that Uncle Scott purchased were a big hit with his nephew and nieces.
Beautiful view from our condo
Ben's fraternity brother, John Heinle, showed up from Denver to ski with Ben the last two days in Steamboat. John is a riot. I'm so glad he made the trip and had the chance to meet Emery. The last time I saw John I was about 39 weeks pregnant. Time flies!
Emery loved my helmet
Practicing walking in her ski boots
Grabbing a beer before a ski session
Tiny skis! So adorable
Emery loved my helmet and goggles so much that I bought her some of her own. Can't wait to get her back out there again next year.
First day on the hill
"Whee!"
Emery had mastered the "magic carpet" by our last day in Steamboat and seemed to be getting frustrated by the short runs. We decided to take her on a chair lift run and she loved it. How sad....Emery will be a better skier than me by the time she is four years old.
Look at that balance!
Skiing left Emery tuckered out
Emery on one of the bridges at Falls Park. She and Phinley enjoyed watching the ducks, geese and doggies. And running away from Debbie and me.
On Greenville's landmark, the Liberty Bridge.
Go Irish!
Debbie and Phinley enjoying the sunshine and people watching.
Emmy and Mommy
While Debbie and I were preparing lunch, the girls decided to join the fish in the Koi pond.
Naked lunch
Plotting to go through the doggie door and back into the Koi pond once I locked them in the porch. 
