Snowboarding in Colorado

When Neal and I started dating, he told me I was going to have to learn to snowboard because it was one of his favorite things to do, and he wanted to share the joy he felt in it with me.

The story that he didn't know at the time: my junior year of high school I had gone on a ski trip with my choir.  We went to Winter Park for a choir competition, and on the other days we were up there, we got to ski or snowboard.  During this trip, I attended one of the classes provided by the ski resort, and after a day of learning, went off to tackle the mountain with my friends and mom (who had come up with me as a chaperon on the trip).  During my attempt at snowboarding, I ended up going end over end down the slope, and injuring my knee.  I got to take the lucky ride down the mountain in a tobagan pulled by ski patrol.  Needless to say, I hadn't gone snowboarding since then.

After many tears (by me) and promises of patience and loyalty (by Neal), he finally convinced me to allow him to teach me to snowboard.  I must admit I was pretty convinced he wouldn't be able to teach me.  He patiently spent multiple days going slowly down the same run over and over again teaching me how to safely snowboard, and have fun in the process.  I must admit now, that I'm very glad he did!

Neal and I on lift 2 at Loveland

This year is when I really started getting the hang of it, and enjoying myself when we've gone up.  We bought a bunch of four-packs to Loveland Ski Area this year, and we've had friends go up with us.  We also gave my brother a ticket for Christmas, and brought him up one day to teach him how to snowboard.   Almost every time we've gone up, it's been absolutely beautiful, and we've had so much fun!  

Kelsey, Cole, me, and Neal after an amazing day.

It's also been a very positive experience for our relationship.  Neal had to have great patience and perseverance (especially on the days when I cried a run into the day).  I had to learn to set aside my fears, and trust that Neal would help me, and wouldn't ditch me when he got frustrated.

Here are some pictures of the trips we have taken over the last year!  Enjoy!

A sweet panoramic Neal took from the tippy top

A sweet shot of Neal's snowboard

The only BAD weather we had all year!  It was snowing so badly we literally couldn't see!

Courtesy of Kelsey Hansen - look at the sweet flex in that board!

An epic fall Neal took.  It took him a bit to get his board out of the snow.

Neal, me, and Richard on a lift

Neal up on top of lift 9

Breckenridge

Neal and I went to Breckenridge for a little RNR the weekend before Thanksgiving.  Between the intense training that I was doing at work, and Neal building a new show, we didn't get to see each other much.  It was so nice to be able to go up there and stay at a beautiful lodge (The Breckenridge Lodge and Spa) and just be together.

We drove up to Breck Sunday night after having a wonderful dinner with the family of one of the kids in our Sunbeam class.  They made us a wonderful pasta dinner, and we sat around the table and laughed with them.  It was wonderful.  We headed up to Breck about 7 pm.  When we got up there it was FREEZING, so we hurried to check in and get to our room.  Our room was an awesome "rustic" mountain suite, complete with flannel chairs and cow hide bar stools.  We also had a fireplace and an AMAZING view out our window (which we didn't see until the following morning).

Our gorgeous view

Monday, we got up late, went to breakfast at the Blue Moose, and wandered around Breck for the day.  We did a lot of shopping, Neal showed me the River Walk Center where he works sometimes, and then we ate dinner at a super cute little restaurant.  We decided to split a calzone, and we were so glad we made that decision when our food came because they were HUGE!!!!  Then we headed back to the hotel, sat in the hottub, and then went back to our room and watched Bones and the new Spiderman :)

Cute little Italian restaurant

This was HALF a calzone!!

The next day we went SNOWBOARDING at Loveland!  It was fun, but it was still early season, so it was crowded and the snow was meh.  My day ended on my fourth run because I ran into a guy accidentally and messed up my knees (I STILL have bruises...a week and a half later).  Neal kept at it though while I hung out in the lodge and took a nap in the car.  We then headed back for dinner and a movie.  We had dinner at an awesome BBQ joint named Moe's BBQ (highly recommend it) and watched Snow White and the Huntsman.  I actually enjoyed the movie, which I wasn't expecting.

On the lift!  The reflection in my goggles is pretty sweet!

Wedensday we headed home.  We stopped in Silverthorne to do some Christmas shopping and to get lunch at Quiznos.  I also made my very first pies that night for Thanksgiving the next day!  They actually turned out really, really well :)

PS.  Did I mention we spent more money at Rocky Mtn Chocolate Factory than anywhere else?  Hahaha