Ruidosa

We decided to join Carrie and Richard for some snow skiing.  Sounds crazy enough but when you figure that it was at least a 10 hour drive, we still have young kiddos, and we were doing all of this in only 4 days, we may need an evaluation for insanity.  But, we did it.  We had great success, great fun, and great memories.
I did a lot of pre-planning.  I wanted to spend as much time outside of the car as possible.  So that meant trying to avoid stopping every 2 hours for drinks, or bathroom, or food, or whatever.  I think I get this from my mom's side.  I can still remember my Uncle Lary making everybody go to the bathroom right before we got in the car.  Didn't matter if you went 5 minutes ago or not, you were going again.  And my Aunt Marla can cut an hour out of any trip with her speedy stops and slightly excessive driving speed :)  So we did it!! We made it in exactly 10 hours with only 2 stops totalling 15 min.  Did I mention that we left at 3 in the morning so the kids were at least supposed to be asleep for the first 4 hours.  I really think they were too excited to sleep on the way there but they were quiet and that made the drive feel shorter.  I'm not saying they are annoying but 10 hours of "are we there yet" would have been pretty aggravating.
In fact we got there so early that we didn't have a room yet but we ate lunch by the river and threw some rocks and bought a few last minute necessities at the local wal-mart.  We even had time for a game of bowling before the cousins arrived.

The next morning we ventured up the mountain for some skiing.  Unfortunately our reservations were a disaster so we got a little late start but once it was all straightened out the kids were in school for the day and Carrie and I took a short lesson.  The lesson really helped me relax a little and I felt that I would be able to at least hold myself up when the kids came down the slope at top speed.  Konnor was not happy with the snow at first.  I think he didn't like having to be bundled up but after a nap in kevin's lap and some snacks (surprise, surprise) he ventured into the snow and even threw a few snowballs.  Really the whole day was great.  The weather was plenty warm and the kids enjoyed ski school.
On the second day no one had lessons.  A little scary to think about 5 kids with 4 adults and not knowing how every one could ski.  So we started with a gondola ride to the mountain.  Did I mention that it had started snowing.  That's right snow in NM during spring break!  Odd but we enjoyed it.  So we all went to the top of the mountain and made snow angels and looked at the view.  Oh wait, there was no view because of the snow so we just envisioned the view.

  And then...I skiied down the mountain.  Yes, from the top.  And I made it.  Thankfully

Richard was my lookout and coach and pace car and example and everything but I made it and it was fun.  Klayton and Austin were almost independent on the smallest slope and Kenzie and I did the bunny slopes.  Richard and kevin did some skiing and it turned out to be another perfect day.
We of course enjoyed a great dinner and some drinks and did some planning for our next vacation.
And then it was time to head back home.  Again we left at 3 in the morning and again we made it in 10 hours and only a month later I am saying I would do it all again.  The kids did great.  The drive was totally doable. And I even got a little better at my skiing.  SUCCESS!

And just for fun memories here are the pics from the last time we went skiing. That was 3 years ago and boy are those kids grown up.