11 Months and Ian's First McCall Ski Vacation

Always the happy little guy, Ian shows off his impression of BoBo the unicycling clown. Unfortunately, his unicycle was just out of the frame of this picture. He later dazzled us with his juggling skills and tied off some balloon animals for Jackie.

The little man hit the 11 month mark already. My how the time flies by!

After each month's photo shoot, Ian likes to place his sign somewhere in his room. First, he eyed the ottoman.

Allow me to translate his baby-talk: "That looks like a pretty good place for my sign, but I wouldn't want it to get smooshed under some one's feet."

"Hmmm. How about the book shelf?"

"Wait, I've got the perfect place! Here, I'll put it on my toy box."

A couple days after the photo shoot, we packed up our bags and headed to McCall for a week of skiing, snow shoeing, and most importantly - grandparent time! After a long day of traveling, the little guy enjoyed unwinding in a warm bath with his favorite kitchen bath-friendly utensils.

Ian decided the mohawk was a good look for McCall.

Grandma made a friend of the local wildlife. This is the well fed fox coming down the three feet of snow off the back porch.

Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa, Jackie and I were able to get in three days of skiing at Brundage. The first two days were mostly sunny and great for groomed run skiing. The third day came off a night where they received six inches, so it was a great powder day in spite of the tired legs.


During the week we were there, McCall also hosted its annual Winter Carnival. We missed the parade, but enjoyed touring the snow sculptures scattered throughout the town. Ian was snug as a bug in his snow suit and ergo-carrier, so I think he had the most fun of all of us thanks to Jackie playing Sherpa.

Below is the view of Brundage Mountain taken from the McCall golf course near my parent's place. Jackie and I are expecting to win the lottery soon so we can retire to McCall.

On a day off from skiing while my Mom had to run back to Boise, my Dad, Jackie, Ian, and I enjoyed a stroll on snowshoes through Ponderosa State Park.

Ian again, snug as a bug. He couldn't resist it any longer, and eventually let the cadence of my walking and the warmth of his snow outfit lull him to sleep. What a great way to experience the great outdoors.

We made our way through the park and down the lake. In spite of an easy $20, Jackie declined my offer to take a polar bear dip in the cool comforts of Payette Lake.

Generally, this was how Ian spent his week: in grandma's loving care. Thank you both for having us and watching Ian!

Below is a photo I snapped of the trees from my parent's patio. It snowed nearly every night we were there and then was mostly sunny throughout the day. McCall in February tends to be the perfect home for winter activities.

After all of his travels, the little guy couldn't make it through his first dinner home. Now that's the sign of a great vacation!