*Guest Post* Testing the limits: My day on the slopes with baby

I am so excited to welcome Alizah to the blog today! She echos our belief that kids should be outside and adventuring.  Feel free to join in the discussion in the comments and leave her some feedback.  We can't wait to hear what you have to say. =) Amelia (AKA Mountain Mama)

My son Kiko was 7 ½ months old the first – and last – time I took him downhill skiing. We didn’t fall, we weren’t scared, we didn’t get cold, or sunburned, or slip off the chairlift, or hit a tree. To the contrary, the hours we spent skiing the slopes of Wachusett Mountain in Massachusetts were some of the happiest in my memory. So why, you might ask, wouldn’t I want to do it again? The answer has less to do with my skills, my skis, or my son than with the other skiers on the slopes. What began as a recreational activity for our family ended as a strange and somewhat alienating social experience in which we seemingly became an object of attention and conversation on the mountain. With bubbly excitement we started skiing at 10:30 AM. By 12:30 PM I was weary of the experience and suggested to my husband that we call it quits and head back to the car. Let me explain what happened…

It was a sunny morning in March 2009. The temps were up, the snow conditions perfect. It was mid-week, meaning that the slopes were relatively clear. We did our homework before by calling the resort and asking if they allowed skiing with babies. The man we spoke to was enthusiastic, saying, “No one ever asks us that. We think it’s really cool you want to bring your baby skiing, do come!” Wow, I thought, such a warm welcome, how could we possibly turn it down?

Why We Unplug

We are absolutely bombarded in our society with technology, easy access to the internet and the challenges of being "sucked in" to the instant gratification of all the social media avenues and various search engines and news headlines.

Our family is not exempt (J was happily using a cell phone at a super young age and now knows how to navigate the iPad way better than seems possible for a kid who is hardly ever using it.)

While we have yet to leave behind our "free phones" for a smart phone (mostly because the service in our area is horrible and WY in general has plenty of dead spots,) we have 3 computers, an iPod Touch and an iPad.  To some this may not seem like much, but for us it means that coupled with our wireless internet, we can check email/facebook/blog, etc. etc. any time we want.  I seldom nurse P without perusing the latest happenings on the internet.

Cabin Getaways, St. Nicholas and Toys (reviews!)

The past three days were pure bliss.

As a family we left everything behind (and believe me, that "everything" is a lot right now!), unplugged and spent some quality time just making memories and being a family.  We found a Forest Service cabin in the Big Horn Mountains that was easily accessible and had plenty of winter fun possibilities.  In fact, we had planned on skiing in the ~200 yards to get to the cabin from the road (totally do-able in any weather) but were pleasantly surprised to find that a lack of snow right around the cabin allowed us to drive right to it.  We felt like we were cheating a bit, but when you have a toddler and an infant you'll take "shortcuts" like that :)

I highly recommend taking this route.  The cabins are are available all over the country and are a cheaper alternative to big lodges, hotels, etc.  We spent $40 a night, but Muddy Guard is definitely on the "luxury" end of Forest Service cabins with electric lights and stove.   (We spent our honeymoon almost 4 years ago in a similar cabin without electricity and spent $15 a night.)  


We spent the time playing, laughing, reading and catching up on sleep (Husband and I were struggling to stay awake to put the kids to bed.)

PeaPods were awesome for staying warm in the cabin for the kids

Incredible cross country skiing was nearby and we bundled the kids up in the sub-zero temps in the Chariot to get on the (slightly groomed) trails.

Our conversations were about how thankful we were to get out there as a family, how thankful we were for warm and quality gear and how time in the woods like that is just good for the soul!

The time we were at Muddy Guard also coincided with the feast day of St. Nicholas.  This is our first year celebrating it and we spent a lot of time talking to J about putting his shoes out and who St. Nicholas really was.  (and yep, we will celebrate Christmas with Santa Claus too but we are talking a lot about how Santa carries on the tradition St. Nicholas started.)  He was pretty excited (which could have contributed to a delayed bedtime that night!)  I love celebrating holidays in simple surroundings and this was perfect.

Both boys received toys that we were given to review (ahem, St. Nicholas worked with us on this...) and I wanted to take this opportunity to share them with you (because I truly believe both are great options for Christmas.)

*Guest Post* Adventure Baby!

*Giveaway closed! Congratulations, Caroline M. - check your inbox!*

I am thrilled to introduce you to Stephanie on the blog today.  Stephanie is the owner of one of my very favorite shops in Jackson, Backcountry Baby. Backcountry Baby was created to help parents simplify the adventure of parenting. Specializing in travel gear, cloth diapers and baby wearing gear. They've got all the essentials covered (plus some fun goodies!) Stop by at 245 W. Pearl St in Jackson or online at www.backcountry-baby.com (their online shop just went live).  


She has some super valuable tips for traveling with babies and kids, especially during the holidays (and make sure you read all the way to the end of the post for a chance to win something on her "must have" list!)

Moonlit Ski Adventures + Challenge

We love getting outside as a family and we do it every day (I feel like a broken record, but in case you haven't heard it before, we have a "15 minute" rule.  Even in the worst conditions, we are outside with our kids 15 minutes a day.)

I think that it is really easy to get stuck in the box of what you DO outside.  Go to the park, go on a run (and keep kids occupied in a stroller,) go hiking, go skiing, go on a nature walk.  Whatever your family does best is what you do most.  All of these things are wonderful and are certainly nothing to discredit.  However, sometimes we just need to try something new and challenge our minds, bodies and spirits (and those of our children) to keep our experiences exciting and fresh.

One thing that we love to do occasionally (and so wish we could do more) are moon-lit ski adventures.  Husband and I actually took a moonlit ski on our second date (is that trust, or what?!?!) Now we bundle the kids up in the Chariot, bring our headlamps as back up, and venture out on the trail (or not...)  It is amazing how a trail or scenery that is so familiar in the day time can be so different at night.

And yes, sometimes that different can be a little scary.  You of course have to take precautions.  We go slower and enjoy our surroundings, we pack extra extra gear, water, and food, and we make sure to make noise so we don't startle any 4-legged furry animal out on his own moonlit trek.  We are usually on familiar trails (especially at night.)

Posing where we had taken a picture two years prior on our second date!

This winter with two kids (and one old enough to appreciate the adventure) we are excited to explore outside in different ways.  We believe in appreciating nature in ALL its forms (darkness included) and develop a respect (including the safety aspect) for that in our kids.  Now all we need is some SNOW! :)

This week over at Active Kids Club, they have teamed up with Polarn O. Pyret, to encourage families to get outside EVERY day this week with the "Every Day is Play Day Week."


Here's the challenge:
As a parent and educator. Like both Polarn O. Pyret and ActiveKidsClub.com Facebook pages and during the week of Novemeber 14th - 19th share your fun ideas with us on how you embrace the elements. Get deals, win prizes and participate in chats on how we can best embrace the elements with some fun outdoor play ideas.


If you are an educator let us know how you get your kids outside at your school for recess or how you incorporate outdoor learning in your curriculum.


Don't miss this incredible opportunity.  Yes, it is a challenge and may not be easy, but your kids will thank you for it! (and YOU will be a better person because of it!)

Happy Kids, Happy Family

One of the reasons we make getting outside such a priority in our family is that it simply makes us ALL happier.  There is something to be said about the therapeutic effects of fresh air and some good heart-pumping fun.  I notice a drastic difference in the moods of my children (yes, even the 5 month old) and my entire outlook on life personally when we are out there.  And the truth remains that it really doesn't matter what we are doing.  This weekend we took a drive as a family, got another load of wood (uh, I think we are done until we get that massive pile split...) and enjoyed some snow.  J is at the age where he is loving exploring; he loves to jump in the snow, run in it, wipe it off all the logs in the woods, fall in it, eat it, and find out what happens when he throws it straight up in the air (tough lesson there, Buddy.)  It was so fun to see him just light up after a couple long days at home and enjoy nature.  His joy is infectious  and had us all laughing and adventuring right alongside him.

Happy Happy Boy!

'Tis the season for Elk!

Hunting season this year isn't looking so good.  Bull elk season ends here today and the snow is supposed to start really flying tomorrow.  Figures.  The animals have been safely hiding high up in the mountains and unless you have pack horses, four wheelers, or a week of time, you are sorta out of luck!  Husband has been scouting when he has a chance, and we got to go with him a bit this weekend.

I was thrilled to get outside and the kids were content and loving it!  J kept talking about looking for elk and wanting to eat it.  I don't think he really gets it, but I guess we expose him to what we can.  I grew up eating game (mostly Moose and Caribou) and far prefer it over other meats.  One of these days he will learn where it comes from and we believe it is best to not make it a scary ordeal, but instill a healthy respect for the animals and all things hunting related (gun safety, leave-no-trace principles and predator awareness.)

We also wanted to check out a couple of packs that we will be reviewing formally in the next few months. So here is your sneak peak of the Deuter Kid Comfort III and the Kelty Pathfinder 3.0 (new for 2012.)  We will say that they are both top of the line for their brands and both incredible.  Parents and kids were happy hikers!
*We may not win a fashion contest, but all are comfortable and content! :)*

this kid cannot stay out of puddles, ice or not! :)

...and he could throw rocks in the river all day long!*