Boys' first ski trip

This past weekend, we took the boys skiing! We are firm believers that skiing is the sort of thing you have to take up early in life, so we thought it was high time we took them. I think I was 3 when I started, and here they are almost 5! Luckily, since we have a few more logistical issues with four kids than my parents did with just one, we were able to make a quick trip to Ruidoso, New Mexico. My parents have a (non-ski) cabin there, so they hung out with Will and Helen while we took Charlie and Joseph to Ski Apache.

We flew to El Paso and drove from there to Ruidoso. Because the plane was not full, we were able to get seats for Will and Helen without paying for them (yay!). That meant that our family took up two rows, just by ourselves! With the help of an amazing contraption called a Go Go Babyz Travelmate, the airport and airplane all went fairly smoothly. (With the possible exception of the descent on the first leg, but what can you do when we are crazy enough to take a toddler on an airplane when he has an ear infection? Poor Will. He was MUCH better on the way home -- after several days of antibiotics.)

Helen and Joseph on the first row (with Mom).

Will, Dad, and Charlie on the second row.

Clearly, this was BEFORE the descent.

The trip was great. Charlie and Joseph attended "Kiddie Corral" ski school for 4 to 6 year-olds, leaving Mom and Dad with time to enjoy skiing by ourselves at our own pace, and even to hang out a little bit at the lodge bar. In the afternoons, we picked them up and skiied with them for awhile. The first day we might have been slightly unprepared for how NOT self sufficient they were on skis. One trip on the lift and down the bunny slope was all we managed. The second day they had definitely improved, and we got smarter by opting to take our skis off to help them learn. Next year, we are planning to go for longer so they can really learn how to ski. Or, at least, maybe how to stop on their own.

Charlie in ski school

There he goes!

Working on the "pizza" (i.e., snowplow)

And there goes Joe!

Oops! There went Joe.

And back at it again.

Family pic

Our little skiiers!

Finally, it was just nice to get away. Very relaxing and, although the kids had their moments, all in all they were pretty good. Will and Helen also got to spend some quality time with Grandad and Gransan, which was nice because usually Charlie and Joseph monopolize all of their time!

Look at all the deer in Grandad and Gransan's yard!

See how relaxed Dad looks sitting on the porch with Helen, Will, Charlie, and a beer?