As things turned out, there was snow! I had watched Facebook to see what my friends in Big Bear were posting just days before we left, and I loved seeing that it had snowed just two days before we were to leave. Ken and I weren't sure what or how to pack for the trip, but we loaded up the truck and off we went.
I have to thank the makers of Dramamine and Bonine for their products. While I was a bit sleepy, my head was intact when we arrived, as was Jordan's. Neither of us got car sick on the windy road up the hill, and I was functional when we got there. I continued to take the Bonine during the trip, and I was very happy that I never got sick - yeah!!
We arrived and were able to check in a little earlier than the posted time. Ken and I were completely delighted with what we found. Having never been here, we expected something along the lines of the cottages at the beach in Pendleton, and we found even better.
The girls ran inside, ran up the stairs and immediately staked out their spots. I was too busy photographing and documenting the downstairs to traipse off after them. The living room was fairly spacious with a fireplace, couch and sofa (cable TV as well). We found a full kitchen with a dining set for 6, and the main bedroom was directly across from the bathroom that had a shower, etc. I learned quickly that the bathroom was made for skinny people as the toilet was crammed next to the shower. Haha! I guess here's yet another reason to stick to the diet and exercise. I went upstairs to check out the girls' digs and was completely surprised with what I found. When I read the website, it said that there was a loft, but nothing about the two beds in the loft. What a great surprise!
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| The main bedroom |
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| The loft area |
Unfortunately, the menu did not include the schnitzel that I was craving, but they had really good food. The girls were completely excited about this trip, and they were having a hard time controlling themselves. Other than when it snowed a few inches at our house, this was their first time in the snow, and they had never been to Big Bear where they could explore before.
After eating, we went to Stater Bros. in order to do our grocery shopping. We set our menu for the few days that we were going to be there, and got everything we needed. Once we got back to the cabin, we called for naptime and everyone laid down. Ken and I were exhausted, and despite the girls saying they weren't tired, they fell asleep as well.
When we woke up, we called for pizza delivery for supper and I headed to the Lodge to check work emails and pick up some movies for the night. I hated that I had to work while we were on holiday, but my Spring Break and the girls' didn't coincide this year.
After we were done eating, watched a movie and then played our Koehler Uno and then speed Monopoly.
I couldn't believe the beautiful view that I had from even just the couch. It was amazing to see the trees, the stars and then my family. As you can see, the family was having a great time.
The following morning, Ken and I managed to get some coffee before the girls hounded us into going sledding. Since I had to do some work, I walked over to the Lodge for the wi-fi while Ken and the girls made breakfast. Once we were done eating, we got ready to sled.
Ken and I had researched the various places that we could take the girls for sledding, and we were looking at approximately $100 for the event. Imagine our relief when we learned that the USMC Cabins offered a sledding area behind the Lodge and the sleds cost $5 for small sleds and $8 for a larger sled for the day. Whoo-hoo!! Ken got a double sled and the girls didn't mind because they hadn't thought about the work involved in getting the sled up the hills in snow.
I enjoyed every moment of taking pictures. It was great watching Ken teach the girls how to do everything.
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| Ken going over the basics |
The girls paid attention and learned quite a bit. Mandy had her "attitude" about having to walk the sled back up to her sisters, and she took herself out of the fun for a while, but then she just could not resist the fun of sledding, and she walked back up the hill and enjoyed herself. Jordan and Taylor had a complete blast.
It warmed my heart to watch Ken and the girls interact with each other. There were no temper tantrums and they even helped each other out. I managed to find the time to try sledding for myself, but I dragged Mandy along for the ride.
After an hour, the girls were tuckered out. They just didn't have it in them to keep going, and they were each complaining about the amount of snow and ice that were down their shirts and in their shoes which apparently was keeping from enjoying themselves completely. Ha!
Jordan wheedled Ken into dragging her through the snow so she didn't have to walk. I was walking back with everyone when I spotted a blue bird and couldn't resist taking some pictures.
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| Jordan also got Taylor to drag her for a while |
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| The girls had a difficult time building a snowman. |
Ken and I immediately showered while the girls played in the snow outside the cabin a little more. We loaded into the truck and took off for the Village to walk around and see what was there. Ken couldn't wait to take pictures next to the sign at the playground.
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| One missing piece of punctuation, and this sign does NOT mean what it was intended to say. Hahaha! |
I made everyone take pictures by the main sign. One of these will be the front cover photo for the book I make for this trip, I'm sure.
We found the village after a round-a-bout drive since my internal compass was completely off on the Mountain.
The girls' favorite places were the candy shops. They lost their minds with all of the sweet possibilities! I was disappointed that most of the shops were closed. We never found signs, so I'm not sure if they were closed because it was the week days, or if they were closed for the season. There were a lot of stores that had boarded up since the last time Ken and I were there, and many of the stores had significantly less merchandise.
Ken and I were very happy to find Copper Q. Mocha and Lattes! We enjoyed some espresso and the girls had some hot cocoa with scones.
Mandy still did not want to have her picture taken, so she hid under the table. After we were done with our coffee, we headed back to the candy shop since the girls wanted to spend their money there, but we missed the store by 9 minutes - they closed at 1700.
We went back to the cabin and got supper going. We enjoyed more games and movies for the evening as well as cookies, and then we turned in since we were all exhausted.
On Wednesday, we all had a quiet morning. Taylor and Mandy took turns going to the lodge in order for us to have new movies to watch. The girls and I got dressed and we went to the Mill Creek Tea House for our tea appointment. Jordan absolutely lost her mind here. It was all girly and frilly with big, floppy hats to wear, and we had a "reserved" table.
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| I loved the place-setting I had - sunflowers! |
Mandy, ironically, was not one for having her picture taken and she refused to wear a hat. I was totally surprised. She usually loves dress-up and all things frilly and girly, but she wasn't going for it. Mandy ADORED the gingerbread hearts with homemade raspberry jam and cream, however, but she refused to let me even sneak a picture of her.
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| A great shot of our finger sandwiches and scones, with Mandy avoiding the camera |
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| Jordan loved that she had her own little china tea cup rather than a plastic cup. She was VERY careful with it. |
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| Scones on a sunflower plate - how awesome for me!! |
Our waitress, Julie, was wonderful, friendly, and attentive. She spoiled the girls with their first Tea Shoppe visit, and she even got the girls some more gingerbread hearts to eat.
I enjoyed being able to share this with my daughters. It was totally girlie (unlike me), but this is a memory that they are not going to forget.
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| Mandy pouting having to re-do the dishes |
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| Loving their supper |
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| No more snowman in front. Snow is going, going.... |
The snow had melted quite a bit in the few days were there. As always, getting home into your own bed is always nice. We were home early enough that we were able to unload the truck and get cleaned up quickly and still have time to enjoy the evening. The girls have asked, and Ken and I are looking into making this a Spring Break annual holiday like our Beach Summer Holiday. Let's see what we can work out.
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