Sunriver Christmas 2015

Happy 2016 and back to reality! We are back to the routine (school, work, pressure, paying attention to time, the hustle and bustle of the city, oh me oh my!), which makes me even more nostalgic of last week’s Sunriver vacation with my family. Although my dad claims that there is “family” and “vacation” and no such thing as “family vacation,” I happen to disagree. We had the best time with my brother, sister-in-law, parents, nieces and nephew; and loved every minute of our time with them. Here are some pictures to enjoy!

 

SNOW! And lots of it! Unlike the 70 degree Christmas in NYC, the west coast was hammered with cold temperatures and lots of show -- perfect for a ski vacation!

SNOW! And lots of it! Unlike the 70 degree Christmas in NYC, the West Coast was hammered with cold temperatures and lots of snow — perfect for a ski vacation!

YUP, my little ice cream chocolate lover is eating an ice cream in 20 degree weather on a walk in the snow. #PolarBear

YUP, my little ice cream chocolate lover is eating an ice cream in 20 degree weather on a walk in the snow. #PolarBear

My parents and Toosh. I have grown up going to Sunriver for the past 30 years, at least one (and sometimes two) weeks per year. It is a place that is near and dear to me. And love how it is has become an important and family place for my kids and husband, too.

My parents and Toosh. I have grown up going to Sunriver for the past 30 years, at least one (and sometimes two) weeks per year. It is a place that is near and dear to me. And I love how it is has become such an important place for my kids and husband, too.

Trees and sky is different out west. Look at it. The nature is beautiful and incredible. I love the Pacific Northwest (shocker).

The trees and sky are different out west. Look at it. The nature is beautiful and incredible. I love the Pacific Northwest (shocker).

The two Josie Girls walking and talking.

The two Josie Girls walking and talking.

Toosh kept on telling my dad (while on his shoulders, no less) that she was "tired." What would I do for a shoulder ride these days...

Toosh kept on telling my dad (while on his shoulders, no less) that she was “tired.” What I would do for a shoulder ride these days…

My parents not only taught me to live the wilderness and nature, but they passed on their love for cross country skiing and being active in nature. My mom, 68 year old, bikes to work every single day, and loves to ski. I am in awe.

My parents not only taught me to love the wilderness and nature, but they passed on their love for cross country skiing and being active in nature. My mom, 68 year old, bikes to work every single day, and loves to ski. I am in awe.

And talk about my dad! My dad is the most in shape man I have ever seen -- and he is 71 years old! Everyday in Sunriver, he would take me on a 6 mile ski trip and then go back to get my mom and go the same distance or more! (Someone had to stay home with the kids who were not skiing that day). He is my inspiration -- not just fitness wise, but in every part of his life, he is what I want to be when I grow up.

And talk about my dad! My dad is the most in shape man I have ever seen — and he is 71 years old! Everyday in Sunriver, he would take me on a 6 mile ski trip and then go back to get my mom and go the same distance or more. (Someone had to stay home with the kids who were not skiing that day). He is my inspiration — not just fitness wise, but in every part of his life… he is what I want to be when I grow up.

Skiing in the fresh mountain air.

Skiing in the fresh mountain air.

A poor man's ice pop.

A poor man’s ice pop.  Cruzzie with his cousin Alagna.

Watch out world, these two ladies are going to be the next big Cover Girls (and World Leaders and Chief Scientists!)

Watch out world, these two ladies are going to be the next big Cover Girls (and World Leaders and Chief Scientists!)

Skiing

Skiing and playing in the snow.

skating

The troop heading out to the skating rink.

sledding

Heading out to sled.

Tea time

The fresh air makes everyone so hungry! Tea time with monster sized cookie, yes please.

my posse

The sandwich generation (the generation that takes care of both the parents and their children) went out for a 6 mile spin on cross country skis, with our tour guide, Papa Proskurowski. Left: Giora (my brother), Ken (my husband), and Katie (my sister-in-law), some of the people that I love most in the world!

crew

We are lucky. Ken is my brother’s best friend from Amherst. And Katie is my brother’s wife who also went to Amherst and therefore was friends with Ken 20 years ago. We always have the best time together, trust one another, and love each other so much. I am so lucky to love my family as much as I do.

Skiing

Skiing to the Falls

Screen Shot 2016-01-03 at 11.29.37 AM

There is a waterfall in the background. But I like our old school cross country skiing picture best of all. And that white sweater that my brother is wearing is hand-knit by my mother. On our way out, a man looked at our crew and said that we “looked so nordic.” I think it was my brother’s sweater that made him say that. Or Ken’s vacation mustache.

cousins

My brother’s kids are the best. And I am not just saying that because I am related to them. I love them so much. This picture is of Toosh and Nadia, who is 9 months older than her. I feel so happy that they get to grow up together, even across the country.

skating.

The older cousins skating together at the new ice skating rink in Bend. Believe it or not, we spent almost 2 hours on the ice. So much fun that the day we got back to NYC, we went and bought skates for the whole family.

Katie

Toosh only wanted to skate with “Auntie Katie.” I agree, Katie is one of the nicest, smartest, warmest, and most thoughtful people out there. She is also a star mother and someone I aspire to be like. Every time I am around her, I leave wanting to be more like her as a mother.

axel and cruzzie

Cruzzie and Axel (best names ever, if I may say so myself).

girls

The three girls.

sledding

After I went up and down a hill two dozen times, I hired Alagna to pull the little girls up.

hot cocoa

HOT COCOA!

fondue

New Year’s Eve celebration at the Proskurowski-Rob-Natori household! Apple cider and chocolate fondue (sans fondue pot) with bananas and strawberries.

Uncle G

My brother never gets air time on the blog (although he should because he is super interesting — a scientist who is also an incredible athlete–) so here is a picture of him with my little boy.

grandparents

The grandparents and their five grandchildren. Thanks, Mama and Papa for a great week. We live for our time together and can’t wait to see you soon!

tired toosh

And then this happened on our return flight to NYC. A tired little girl lying down in the middle of the Denver airport. Thank goodness she didn’t get smooshed.  Can I start doing that when I am tired????

 

I do love beach vacations just like everyone else, but there is something so nice about being on a ski vacation and being active and adventurous. It is so important to Ken and me that the kids learn to love the outside, skiing, and spending time together as a family (although there are moments when I curse the gear, the baggage, and the motivation it requires).  I love our Sunriver vacations, and more importantly, I love my family, old and new. Hope you have a great week! And thanks for letting me share, gush, and brag about how lucky I am….

Anika Yael Natori, aka, The Josie Girl

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10 Comments

  1. Oh my gosh! This looks so fun. Family ski trips were a highlight of my childhood! Toosh and I have the same UGG Boots 🙂

  2. Thanks, Yaelita! We also cherish our Sunriver (and other) vacations together!
    Note1: Tell me again who is in the sandwich?
    Note2: Katie’s sweater is also made by you-know-who.

    Love to all.

  3. Gorgeous photos and especially the one of your parents with all the grandkids, that’s a keeper. It really does look like a magical place and all that snow…wow! Glad you had such a great vacation 🙂

    • Thanks, Fiona- we had a great time spending time with the family! The kids love getting to reunite with their cousins and grandparents. It truly was a winter wonderland!

      Hope you had a great holiday season!

  4. your very lucky to be bless with a beautiful family …kids are beautiful…great pics…haven’t been on the slopes in years need to get out there!

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