In a Euphoric Sunriver State of Mind...

Despite the storm warning, our family and the Schilling family (driving in caravan) made record time over the pass to make it to Sunriver by about 8pm.  We knew a lot of snow had come down in the mountains, but it really was a shock to see the snow level as tall as the vehicles that drove by it.  Fortunately, Michael's truck has four-wheel-drive, and we converted our tires to studs earlier in the week, so both Michael and John felt very confident and comfortable driving over.  It was a gorgeous sight to see all the snow - and at one point, about 45 minutes away from our destination, we saw fireworks being set off from a home - lighting up the sky and snowy landscape, celebrating the birth of our Savior....  Needless to say, we were all in a very happy state of mind.

The house we rented this year is a new one for us.  Although we'd seen several pics from the rental company, there was still a lot of mystery about what it was really like - especially the layout.  When we arrived, we were shocked at just how understated the pictures and description was.  This place is gigantic, gorgeous, and almost without fault.  I already asked for it to be on my Christmas wish list for next year (as in being given the deed to the home), though I don't think even Santa can come through with a gift of this proportion!!!  

This is the sign that welcomes you into the grand entrance and covered porch of the sprawling house.

This year, we worked it out with the realty company to have a tree waiting for us.  We had to laugh at the "Charlie Brown" aspect of it, but appreciated the convenience.  John and Michael went to work decorating - this was one of the only pics taken Christmas night as we were all rushing around so fast to get everything unloaded and put away.  We couldn't wait to feel like we'd gotten all the work completed to be able to fully absorb being on vacation.

Following the "chores", Michele and I didn't waste any time hitting the hot tub both Christmas night and early morning on the 26th.  I can't even tell you just how much of a feeling of euphoria had set in - all of the efforts of the last 3 months of preparation for the holidays had hit their culminating point.  With Russian Tea next to us, Christmas cookies to munch on, and still playing the Christmas station on Pandora, it really was (and continues to be) that moment you wait all year to experience.

Here's a look of the roads surrounding our home.  Breathtakingly beautiful, huh?   

John, Michele, and I set off to Bend (about 30 minutes away) for our "once-we-arrive" grocery trip.  It was nice to go at a little more leisurely pace and have more room to store our "goods" vs. the usual en route to the house stop that we've made in the past.

Before Bend, though, we had to stop at the lodge to pick up our certificates for Sage Springs Spa - and pause for the "Happy Place" pic of us.

Check out that slide of rooftop snow and all of the icicles...

Here's a daytime view of the front of our house.  Again, this hardly does any justice as to what it is like.

This is the view from the kitchen window - a ski lift swing on the back patio...

And the finished effect of the Christmas tree as well as all of the stockings lined in a row...

Soon after we returned from Fred Meyer, the Whites arrived.  They felt it wise to wait until the morning to drive over.  All of us were more than happy to chip in and keep Whitley occupied while they unloaded their vehicle and moved into their rooms.  (And, for the record, that shirt she is wearing is the same one that we gave to Travis and Stephanie exactly one year ago when they had just found out they were expecting....)

Then, it was time for the final gift opening - a much more abbreviated version with gifts suited for the vacation - such as OSU lounge pants...

...and head lamps to play "Hide and Seek"...

...and more video games...

 ...and toys to keep Whitley happy (and in love with Sunriver as the rest of us are)

Then, as if on cue, it started snowing...

On Thursday, the first shots of the day were of sweet Whitley - happily playing - and talking.  Oh my, that girl loves to express herself with all sorts of sounds, especially in the morning.  It's SO ENCHANTING!

Michele and I weren't in synch with our wake up times to be in the hot tub together on Thursday morning, but at least it gave me the opportunity to use the camera to get a shot of what our experience is like.  (And, to give you the full perspective, the temperature at this point in the morning is about 10 degrees...)

View from the tub...

Random pics of the house - this is the tub in our master suite.  (Though it probably won't get used due to the availability of the hot tub).

The air hockey table in the upstairs portion of the house.  The boys sleep in the bunk beds beyond the table, and the girls all sleep in the room adjacent to this loft.

View from the loft looking down to the main living room...

By 10:30, us ladies were leaving our cozy home to one of the only places we'd be happy to depart to - "Sage Springs Spa". 

The annual pic of the hot tub in the resort where the spa is located.  I know I duplicate this every year, but it's just so much of the experience, I can't help myself.

We usually spend about 90 minutes hanging out in here - reading our books (Kindles) and chatting.

And, then, we spend at least an hour in here - the "Serenity Room" - where we've gotten super savvy and learned to pack ourselves the ideal picnic lunch to eat in our robes in the comfy chairs.  (This pic is a view of the Kindle on my lap, Michele's feet on the chair next to mine - and Stephie reading in the other chair).

The "treatments" are the final act of the experience (Steph and I opt for massages while Michele prefers more of the foot massage/pedicure).  No pics of that portion.... =)

MEANWHILE....
This year, John and Michael were "Super Dads" and took the kids to the new indoor water park that is part of the HUGE indoor/outdoor water park and sledding hill that Sunriver completed last year.   The indoor portion of the pool was nice, but not nearly as impressive as the outdoor facility which is obviously not in use at this time of year.

On our drive home...

More pics to come of today's experiences - but definitely a long enough post for now.  (Plus, I'm ready to get back to my book!).  You know it's one heck of a vacation when the only two concerns that keep crossing my mind are 1.) How am I going to get an appetite to keep feeding myself more of the amazing food within this house?  (as well as how much weight am I really gaining?!) and 2.) How can I make the time before we have to leave on Monday last and last and last?