Whistler

Let's see...since we last talked, Hazel has been busy honing her ski skills at Mt. Hood in preparation for her big spring break trip to Whistler. Whistler has not disappointed. It's a hard, hard life, as Eli's mom, Sara, would say.

Hazel did not come to Whistler alone. She was lucky enough to have the company of Eli(ana) (22 months), cousin Eli (8 months) and, occasionally, Lucio (17 months). It was a regular daycare center while Mom and Dad were out skiing the mountain.

Bath time with Eli is way more fun than bath time alone:

After skiing their legs in to exhaustion on the mountain, Mom and Sara hadn't had enough and spun on their bikes. Hazel and Eli missed them, so they got to join the party.

Mom and Dad spent their fair share of time on the mountain and Hazel hung out with the babysitter and friends. However, Mom and Dad did make sure to get Haze up to the magic carpet as many times as possible. The Barkers are becoming quite the connoisseurs of magic carpets and beginner chair lifts, having now taken Haze on ski runs at Mt. Hood Meadows, Timberline, Hoodoo, Eldora, White Pass, and now Whistler Blackcomb.

The snow was particularly fast this day. Mom didn't realize this and sent Haze off to do her own thing...all the way down the bunny slope like a rocket. Oops.

Hazel also got to ski with Eli and teach her the ropes. Here, she advises Eli on the necessity of pink fashion on the ski slopes.

Apres ski is not a joke, folks, and always includes chocolate milk.

Mom and Dad have been on the search for the perfect ski helmet for Hazel all winter long and they finally found it. Well, Hazel actually found it. She spotted it in a store here in Whistler and that was that. She wouldn't even try on anything else. Ever since, she has been slightly obsessed. She wears it to bed, on walks, and in the car. Safety is no accident, you know.

Given that Mom and Dad, Uncle Nate and Aunt Marissa, Greg and Sara, and Ann and Marc were busy skiing most days, the condo often turned in to a daycare center with babysitters, kids, and lots of toys. Good times.

Day #2 on the slopes for Hazel. It was bluebird. She liked that. She also liked the apres-ski chocolate milk and the snowman Mom built for her. Then she demanded to get back on the magic carpet. Mom and Dad obliged.