Christmas get-away

 Originally we thought we would be super jam-packed december and then head up to our Zahle house the day after christmas and spend tons of time connecting with our syrian friends. We also thought my brother, his wife and son were going to be able to spend christmas with us, so we booked a mountain chalet to escape and rest in.

  We were so bummed that they were not able to come, but decided to go ahead and spend a couple nights in the mountains leading up to Christmas. We invited the Molls along, and it ended up being the perfect rest/ family/ christmas memory. 

  It is so fun to live in such a chaotic, wild city that is absolutely unpredictable. But escaping breathes air into your soul, that you just can't describe. Cold, mountain air, views that are stunning, and getting away from noise is quite a treat. 

 
We arrived and let the girls run around and explore our spacious 2 bedroom chalet- we had brought TONS of treats- homemade toffee, pumpkin cheesecake, christmas cookies, and all kinds of snacks so that it could feel like one big holiday fiesta. 

  After settling just a bit, we bundled up and went looking for the snow to play in. We drove about 5 minutes up the mountain and there was snow...5 minutes more and we parked and found a place to play in.

  Now, layla, she loves new environments. she also loves to eat snow. She loves beaches, wind, snow, sledding, boats, animals...she loves adrenaline and adventure. We pull the car over and she is off. She is talking, singing and eating snow. We suggest going on snow adventure hikes and she LOVES it. She is a blast to make these type of memories with.

 Sophia, is 100% unpredictable.




All i can predict is that she will snuggle close and hold tight and assess the environment for a bit.



She did not like the wind, or the snow and if we set her down in it, even just to walk- she would cry helplessly. We were trying to paint the whole experience in the most exciting fashion..."wow, fia, isn't this a winter wonderland? doesn't this feel magical? do you want to try and touch it? "

           
She was not convinced. 

  We played around for about 45 minutes and then loaded into the car and drove back to our warm cabin and endless hot drinks. ( the hotel gives free drinks...cappicinos, hot chocolate, mocha, cokes, juice, water...it feels stupendous)

  The Molls were there and we had a cozy evening together just playing, ordering in food, reading books, laughing, and letting the girls just run around this new place and make it their new home. 

  The next day we woke up leasurily and had planned to rent sleds and go find us some slopes!

 After the bundling, and packing for babes and toddlers and so forth...we were off...and when we found the perfect spot...well let's just say sophia had not really warmed up to the snow idea and Novi decided she did not like it all either.

  so Layla pranced around...went sledding with her Baba...ate snow, we attempted a snow man but the snow was pretty mushy...and she got the most bang for her buck.

  Sophia and Novi were the most happy perched on a rock watching us play, sled and try and build a snowman.

   back home for an early dinner out at a super fun lebanese restaurant.








and then...the grand showing of   The Polar Express. 

   super super fun to watch. I had Sophia close to me and she was so adorable and expressive watching the movie. It was a delight to watch with her. 

  books, cuddles, songs, treats, school, house, snow, sledding, hot chocolate, movies, little adorable toddlers, hours and  hours with our buddies...our weekend could not have been more restful, restoring, and bonding!