The Rayes' Blog: Easter 2013

This Easter we decided to return to Girdwood, Alaska home of the Alyeska Ski Resort and one of the few ski mountains found at sea level. They have an Easter package which includes a room, swimming pool, a tram ride to the tip of the mountain for an Easter sunrise service followed by an Easter brunch and then an egg hunt outdoors. We went last year and the kids seemed to like it. They seemed to like it even more this year. There was a good bit of snow already on the ground and as you will see from the pictures we got more on Sunday. The pool was a huge hit. Both kids love to launch themselves from the edge into our arms with reckless abandon. The sunrise service was held in what is typically a cafe for skiers on top of the mountain. Last year the view was breathtaking due to clear skies. This year it was socked in but still impressive. There was music, a kids circle during the service (complete with each kid receiving a plastic egg filled with jellybeans. The first of many). The brunch is always amazing and puts the adults into an automatic food coma. We end up looking at the kids with pleading eyes to sit and relax with us for a moment after eating but all they want to do is zip around. There is something about an egg hunt that really excites kids (young and old). We have been doing them regularly at the house to familiarize Shane with the process and because Ava loves doing it. I find myself getting caught up in the excitement of spotting a burst of color and I am the one that hid them.! The egg hunt had plastic eggs with more candy inside. The Easter bunny (the parents) brought their baskets to the hotel and the kids tore into them in the morning. There was also the "real" Easter bunny and his pal moose walking around the hotel handing out more candy. Later that Sunday afternoon Shane actually said "uncle" and announced that his little tummy hurt. Ava took a break but continued to admire the candy, taking joy in their existence. I am able to surmise her level on the sneaky scale by the fact that when she breaks into her candy bag stored in a high cupboard, she still leaves the chair there when she is done. This tells me I have some time before she realizes she needs to cover her tracks. I think the baby has actually eaten more candy than both kids combined thanks to me. At this point I tell myself the sooner I eat it the sooner it will be out of the house! We hope everyone had a great Easter weekend and we wish you all a beautiful spring!