There's a funny thing that happens as kids get older. One day you're packing diaper bags and worrying about nap schedules, and the next you're standing at the bottom of a ski slope watching your kid glide past you like they've been doing it their whole life.

Last winter, three of our kids learned how to ski thanks to one of our expert skier friends who generously took them under their wing. It was a big moment- new gear, wobbly legs, learning the pizza to slow down and stop, and lots of 'Did you see that?!' moments. This winter, our youngest officially joined the fun, and just like that, skiing became our family thing.

Now, many of our Sundays look a little different around here. We're now loading up the car, buckling boots, and heading to ski. The kids are meeting new friends in lift lines, learning trail names and gaining confidence with every run. Our oldest even decided to switch things up and try snowboarding this year- which somehow feels like a milestone of its own. 

What I didn't expect was how much this one activity would open up our world as a family. Vacation destinations can look different and ski trips to Colorado- something I grew up doing with my own family- are now on the table for us, too. There's something incredibly special about realizing you can give your kids experiences that once shaped you. 

I love that skiing is a sport they can carry with them long into adulthood. This isn't just a seasonal activity-it's confidence, independence, and a shared family tradition all wrapped into one. It's something they can do with friends, with future families of their own, or maybe even with us for many years to come.

As kids grow, family time shifts. It's less about keeping everyone contained and more about finding experiences that bring everyone together. For us, skiing has become one of those things- cold fingers, red cheeks, tired legs, and all.