The Fun as of Late

Marin, Selena, Reg, Coop

We have had a great few days! On Wednesday we embarked on our ski/snowboarding trip with my in-laws (Rick and Gin and their girls).  We stayed at La Quinta in Kalispell which was awesome. There was virtually no one in the hotel and the kids had the pool and hot tub to themselves every night. We outfitted Coop with skiis for his birthday and he was perfectly pleased. So nice to have us all geared up now and not have to wait in rental lines. I gave myself a Christmas present and got a snowboard.


On Thursday we headed up to Blacktail Mountain Ski Resort. The lack of of snow was troubling on the drive up, but luckily there was enough to ski on once we got there. Again, hardly any one on the hill except about four other Cardston families. Coop got to ski for free because it was his birthday and Marin got to ski for free because they have a free program for kids in grade five. Sweet!!!

That night we went to Cooper's favorite restaurant, Sizzler, and then had a party in the hotel room, which involved a lot of Lego. I don't really recommend trying to transport completed Lego sets back home after a trip.....

The next day we shopped and I tried to price out a few things at Lowes and Home Depot. I have decided to build a house. I'm pretty excited about it. Cam and I were about to build when he was diagnosed and then obviously those plans got put on the back burner. It occurred to me a few months ago that he would want me to go forward with that plan. I wanted to be able to enjoy it now while the kids are still home, because as I have noticed, time goes by awfully fast. I was kind of keeping it on the down low, but then I had to make a presentation to town council about road access and little did I know it was being broadcast on the Cardston Channel. So much for secrets, but that is small town living for you. I have 10 acres of land that is within the Cardston limits so there will be lots of room for the kids to play around. I am just beginning the process and am amazed at how much there is to do. It will be nice to have something to focus on though, besides work and kids.

Unreal view from the top of Big Mountain

Hanging at the lodge

On the chair lift

Hotel room party

Back to the trip.............That evening we went night skiing at Whitefish. I had never been night skiing before and it was AWESOME! The kids loved it as well. They went full boar from 4 until the last chair at 8:30pm. Cooper has gotten so good so fast, probably because he has no fear. One time we took him up to the top and he zoomed down ahead of us. At the midway point the trail branches off to three different trails. I had no idea which one he went down. It is a big resort and an easy place to get lost. I got to the bottom and there he was kicking back in the lodge sipping hot chocolate with Gin. I came in with an exasperated look on my face. His reply was, "Where ya been? I've been here for 10 minutes already!" Sheesh.We finished off the night by swimming in the pool 'til 11:00pm.

Sam and Coop

The next morning we had to rush home for Cooper's baptism that evening. Baptisms are pretty brutal events to get through for our family. Marin's was really tough for me and I was expecting the same for Coop's. Unexpectedly, I held it together pretty well this time. My nephew Sam baptized him and did a great job. There was an amazing, tangible spirit in the room that let me know that Cam was right there. Afterward we had dinner at my parents. There were 50 people there, half of them kids. I am so lucky to have such a supportive family that takes such good care of us.

Now, it is back to the grind.......Hard to accept that the holidays are over but I am looking forward to seeing my students and colleagues.