So our last time to Copper was TWELVE years ago, when we were dating (and newly engaged?). OMG, how that makes us feel ANCIENT! It was half adults and half youth kids… Looking back, it’s hard to believe their parents let them come with us… :}

This trip it was just our little family of three but good times were still to be had.

We took a Lyft and picked up E from Chinese school (which he started going this year, one day a week). They had just had their V-Day exchange and he sported a heart-y headband he made.

Mr. Lovebug at the Lil’ Luv Lounge.

This of course happened right before landing. We let him sleep some more and waited ’til the very last minute to deplane.

Daddy was excited about renting the Silvercar (Audi) again and cruising up the mountain with it. The last time was in SF en route to Asia.

The sunset glow on the way up the mountains is always magical.

Only E needed rentals so we got him fitted and ready!

Then we went grocery shopping, had dinner and unpacked.

E was raring to go on the first day! We stopped in this little area for a snowmobile shuttle to take us to West Village for his snowboard lessons. He loved riding that thing. It was probably better than the regular shuttle with all the stops. The only thing was there is no schedule and the timing is kind of random. The one time we did have to wait awhile, we talked to a ski instructor who radioed them and they popped on over in no time.

No, he didn’t actually drive it but got to play driver while we waited.

We got him all registered and signed in for snowboard school. Then it was time for us to go shredding!!!

Around lunchtime, we rode down to his side and spied on the munchkin. :)

Then, back to the condo for provisions. Can’t complain about the location — it was even closer than last time. We literally walked out and there was the American Eagle lift.

More boarding… And before we knew it, ’twas time to pick him up at 3pm.

He wanted to practice a bit more so we did just that. :)

Then Mommy took E back for a nap while Daddy went back up for a few more runs.

Day #2 was pretty much the same… This was probably our best day on the mountain. We were warmed up but our legs/quads were still fairly fresh so we ventured out to some harder blues, some blacks and the bowl area.

E was still working hard.

Pow-wow with his groupie before being released.

Après lesson instruction from Daddy.

We remember these gigantic chairs!

There was a creperie right downstairs that wasn’t there last time so Daddy was itching to try it. We went in our jammies one evening after dinner.

Game face on!

Snow angel…

We discovered that we didn’t really need to spy on him… He seemed okay when he caught us watching him and in fact, he was happy to see us spectating and wanted to show off. Improvements from trips before where if he saw us he’d likely cry and want us to hold him.

His instructor on his third (and last) day of lessons spoke Mandarin. :) Her son was 1/3 Japanese and she was trying to teach him Chinese, too.

Snowball fight!

A family had left a few things in the lobby with a sign that said “FREE”. E picked up this snowball maker (which also doubled as a “gun”), some stickers and a wooden car.

We had been cooking every night for dinner but were running a little low on food so we supplemented with some tacos. Not bad for Colorado! E loved his kid’s meal.

On the last day, we let E take a breather and sent him to childcare. He told us he played lots of cool Star Wars and Batman toys. We picked him up a few hours earlier and took him to another magic carpet area for practice before… attempting to conquer the lift. :P He had been looking longingly at them everyday asking when he can go up with Mommy and Daddy. (He did do one last year, with his private instructor). We told him that he had to get better first before we could take him up.

Drills with Daddy. It was fairly warm the whole time we were there so Daddy went jacketless.

Rolled off the carpet like a pro.

We rode the snowmobile to the other side for the gentler Kokomo lift to a green while Daddy drove to the parking lot so we could load up our stuff easily later (and drive straight to Denver!). He’s pumped here.

… and then not so sure when we got in the lift line. :D

He got on!

And off…. with a little tumble. The operator usually slows it down for the tiny ones but someone had a fall right before them so guess he forgot. Daddy lifted E up and whoosh… Wasn’t too bad, though.

Let’s do this!

Daddy rode with him the entire way… We made several breaks to rest.

We did it!!!

He earned that sugar cookie with extra frosting (they actually made earlier in the day at childcare).

We returned rentals and were on our way back to the city. It took less than 2 hours but boy, were we ready to shower. After a quick wash up, it was off to dinner ‘cuz we were starving like nobody’s business! Y said that last run was probably where he exerted the most effort the entire trip.

We went to a Cantonese restaurant we thought we had visited from a past trip but it turned out we had wanted to but it was closed at the time or something. Mommy was craving jellyfish and E said he could eat several plates… We ordered double and what do you know… He didn’t want to each much of it. ;\ All in all, pretty good food, though.

A hotel breakfast must for him: waffles! Mommy waited in line for a mad long time to get a turn at the machine.

We really liked the hotel and would stay there again next time we’re in town.

Our flight wasn’t until late afternoon so we decided to hang out for a bit at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Daddy had never been but Mommy and E went several times when he was playing at his tourneys.

First stop was the Space Odyssey exhibit. We never caught this space demo and Q&A in past visits. E seemed really intrigued by it all.

Daddy, let’s race!

Next stop: Prehistory Journey.

Observed a paleontologist at work! She was using putty to fill in cracks in the fossils and bones.

A lesson on different animals’ teeth.

An extreme weather tornado intercept vehicle was on display outside.

Nice to see you again, Mr. Bronto. :)

We showed Daddy the nice City Park beyond where in the summer there was a splash pad.

We shall meet next time, old friend.

We’re baaaaaaaaack. Oh yes, could not resist a visit to SNOWLAB before heading to the airport.

Mommy and Son shared the Big Bowl while we banished Daddy to his own little cup cuz his throat was hurting a bit.

It was difficult to snag bites from this one.

After every last drop in that bad boy, he asked for just one more. :)) What the heck, we won’t be back for awhile, right? Tried the Sesame flavor which was interesting but not as delicious as our faves: Taro and Green Tea.

Then it was off to return the car and DEN for our flight home… to EIGHTY degree weather. ;P