Let's be honest here folks. Vacations, especially snow-based ones are challenging with small children. Days feel extra long without toys, playgroups, swim class, nursery schools, warm backyards, parks. Getting Kate dressed was no easy feat, especially for a girl who is potty learning and has no interest in diapers or clothes for that matter. And each time we wanted to venture outside, one of us (mainly Adam) had to battle Kate. If left up to her she would have gone outside with her snowboots and underwear.

But with each trip to Tahoe I realize more and more that vacations with young children are not about us (the adults) it is all about the kids....

Vacations with kids are about making memories....

about seeing this smile....

And Adam's scared face...

It is about watching your kids play so happily and enjoying each other's company, even if they are running up and down dangerous stairs, jumping off of beds, and climbing to the top of couches.

Vacations with young kids are about the little things.

Before having kids Adam and I travelled a lot. Everyday was a new place, sometimes even a new country, with new people, music, food, and environments. A trip to Tahoe in the snow meant snowboarding all day, going out to eat at night. It meant bowling, the movies, reading books...and relaxing.

Tahoe trips with kids means none of those things. It means listening to controlled (or at times uncontrolled) chaos ALL.DAY.LONG. It means getting everyone dressed takes 30 minutes. It means waking up at 6 and going strong for 13 hours. It means long car rides filled with singing, and at times tears. But like I said to Adam on day 3, this isn't about us. It is about the kids and the memories we make with and for them.

And it was so worth it.