Szolushas go to Tahoe!

Because of the pandemic, Keith and I finally agreed to take the kids to the snow. We had planned on taking the kids to Arnold, but a bad storm blew out the power and the power was out for 10 days, up until the day we were suppose to arrive. Five days before our planned trip, we canceled our VRBO for Arnold and scheduled a VRBO in South Lake Tahoe. It was actually the only place that was affordable, and it was absolutely spectacular. It was probably the nicest place we have stayed at thus far.  We were lucky enough that the Arnold VRBO owners gave us a full refund, minus VRBO fees. The few hundred dollar loss was well worth it, because we had the most amazing vacation as a Szolusha family ever!

Here we are driving up in our rented Ford expedition. The kids watched Mary Poppins for the first time on the way up. We had a smooth trip except for a slow up through Tracey. 

The kids did not waste any time once we arrived to start playing in the snow!

Even this older kid enjoyed the snow.

Here the kids are enjoying hot cocoa after dinner on Saturday night, Feb 7th, the day we arrived. 

I was so happy with the place, I took pictures!

The Expedition could hardly fit in the garage it is so long!

Sunday morning we woke up and walked out our back door through the meadow to Bonjou Community park. It ended up being a long walk through the snow so Rubix and Phoenix tried as often as possible to be pulled. 

Bonjou Park is a skate park in the summer and a sledding area in the winter. The snow was a bit hard and was not super comfortable going over the bumps, but the kids had a blast. Things ended when Axel got a little more air than anticipated and landed hard on his buttock. Luckily, he recovered well and was able to make the long walk "home".

Here is a picture of me and the kids in the meadow, right outside our back door. 

My handsome husband with the beautiful back drop. 

The kids had plenty of snow to build with despite the high temperatures and melting snow. 

Sunday night was Super Bowl fun. Rubix played catch with "wolfie" while daddy tried to watch the game. 

Phoenix passed out in my lap in pure exhaustion while I tried to watch the game. It was a great game and we were glad to get the kids to bed after playing outside in the snow all day!

On Monday we drove up close to Spooner Lake and did some sledding. The snow was still hard and a bit difficult to sled without hitting hard bumps. The kids discovered it was less painful to slide on their butts down the hill so we learned to do "butt sliding" down the hill, instead of sledding! We found this great snow man so we took the opportunity for a photo op. 

The kids climbing up the hill to they were butt sliding down. 

Beautiful photo op at the top of the hill. 

Phoenix loves the snow!

Rubix with a love /hate relationship with the snow. It is fun, until his siblings play too hard or he can't keep up. 

Last photo before heading home for lunch as people started to flood in.

Although Axel and Phoenix were on break from school, Rubix still had his live morning class at 9 am and then had to complete his other 3 classes in the afternoons when Phoenix and Axel had more time to play outside and build. Daddy took the opportunity to get the taxes done for out school admission deadline.

On Tuesday we headed to Emerald Bay and went on the most breath taking hike to a hidden lake. It took us about 2.5+ hours to complete this hike, but we all thoroughly enjoyed this adventure. 

Photo opp at Eagle Falls. 

Fun throwing snowballs into the water before heading on the main hike to the hidden lake. 

Stopping to make snow balls along the way. 

Phoenix enjoying the hike especially with her walking stick!

A short stop to debate if we should continue or turn around. We decided to continue on!

We finally made it to the hidden lake that is frozen over! Others said they walked on it, but we decided it wasn't worth the risk. We looked from afar and ate a snack before heading back.

Phoenix on a rock where she ate her snack. 

Since we climbed quite a few hundred feet. We had to "climb down". When it was steep, the kids, and sometimes us adults, decided to butt slide down the hill! A benefit of winter hikes!

The best vista point looking over Emerald Bay. 

Moments like these were a little scary as the trail was on a cliff. I did a lot of praying and trusting in the Lord that our kiddos were not going to mis step and slide down the side of the mountain. 

Luckily, we made it back in one piece. A view of the "water fall".

 A picture of the "water fall" behind Keith and I. 

The kids next to a little snow man at the begining of the trail.

Tired kiddos after our long hike. 

After some lunch the kids and Daddy played outside. I rode the trainer while watching a continuing education course and then cooked dinner. It was fun to see them playing while I cooked dinner. 

On Wed. we found a perfect place to sled near Fallen Leaf Lake. The snow was much softer and we all enjoyed the sledding much more. 

We were all exhausted from running up the hill and sledding back down for 2 hours!

Daddy took a break and "iced" his hip and back :)

A great action shot of Rubix running up the hill.

Wed afternoon was igloo building time. It took Axel hours and hours to complete this task. After working on his own with a little help from Phoenix for 2 hours, Rubix and I were able to join him. It took us another hour or so to finish his master piece. 

Getting closer!

Almost there!

Complete!

All three were able to fit.

Even mommy!

Although it was a little snug to get in and out. 

Here is Rubix in his little igloo!

On our last full day, we went back to Emerald Bay, but this time we hiked down to the Bay. It was an easy mile down to the beach.

We enjoyed seeing the Vikingholm and island. 

The kids loved throwing snow balls into the water. 

After a short play time we decided to hike up to the Lower Fall.

Another beautiful hike!

Out handsome 4 year old on the bridge. 

The Szolushas sitting on teh "bench".

Another photo op with the "water fall" behind us. 

The mile hike back up, was not as easy, but we managed to get to the car just as the snow storm started. 

As soon as it started snowing down where we were, which was about 2 hours after leaving Emerald Bay, the kids ran outside to play in the snow fall. Phoenix and Rubix enjoyed playing around on the snow shoes. 

It was an amazing experience to play with it snowing outside!

We woke to an amazing view of snow topped trees. We were all out by 8am to enjoy the snow. Keith and I snowshoed and the kids played in the "fresh powder". 

This was by far the best vacation we have had. We had so much fun that we are going back for Spring break!

I will try to post again on fun long weekend we had once we returned from Tahoe. We enjoyed a lovely Valentine's Day hike and dinner. We are also looking forward to Rubix's birthday in a few weeks!