Family Time

Ben has been so busy dividing his time between the Flight School and the Tuning School that "down time" only happens while he is sleeping - otherwise he stays connected with his Blackberry. He does a good time coming home early and spending time with the girls but we needed a chance to truly GET AWAY...so we planned a trip to Mammoth.

We had enrolled Natalie in Ski School, yes they start them as early as 3 but after switching her day and then taking her our of the afternoon session we went up not sure what I had actually signed her up for....again I needed to get away too - I couldn't even remember what I had her commited to in the end. Turns out NOTHING, the ski school was closed the week we were there. Next time we visit she'll have the chance to ski down - arms out and knees in...too cute!

We did manage to get her dressed up in cool snow gear! Being southern CA kids we always gather whatever we can find and make it work. But, in the end - I figured whatever I bought for Natalie, Allison could use... luckily I scored a great deal through my friend Nicole in Northern CA - she found Natalie's ensemble at Children's Place for a steal and sent them down my way...the boots - .99 on Ebay! Ally has matching ones, I found hers at a kids resale shop - they're big - you'll see them next year too!

Having the right gear made the trip so enjoyable! The clothes fit, they were warm, they were actual snow clothes instead of jeans and an old sweatshirt...

Ben had "heard" the snow wasn't good - it had been pretty sunny for a good while before our trip and made for slushy "spring" like conditions...some of my favorite...I was trying to explain to Ben that we couldn't be picky...we were lucky just to get up to the snow with two kids and two businesses...we ski when we get the chance - we don't have the privilege to be picky.

In the end he agreed with me and I think he regrets not going for it - we're hoping to go back in a few weeks and we will be skiing powder or no powder. On the downside, skiing with two kids is expensive! Almost $500 for the DAY - daycare for Ally, Ski School for Natalie - our lift passes - WOW! Hawaii would be cheaper right??? If only I could convince Ben -

Instead of skiing we rode the gondola...all the way up to the top....

the girls liked this - on the way down Natalie got brave and wandered around the gondola cage - this made me VERY nervous! She liked seeing the skiers below us...it was a fun family adventure and I totally recommend it!

We also went sledding...this too could be an expensive venture...the first place we stopped at was one of those places with a small standing lift, sort of like a conveyor belt. There were only two cars in the lot and Ben went into pay...the lady wanted $25 a person per hour...we even had to pay for the baby??? What a joke - oh and she wanted CASH - was she crazy? Who pays $100 an hour for sledding?

We left to find some FREE sledding and we found it! It lasted only 15 or 20 minutes...but it was so much fun and better exercise! Check out the girls!

We roasted dinner and made cookies and drank cocoa...we watched the lifts turn on in the morning and turn off at 4pm...Natalie had a great time - Ally slept through the night...it was a refreshing few days away...can't wait to go back!

And that Perfect Sibling picture I've been trying to get - I'm getting closer ...what do you think?