I almost forgot that we had a photographer come to the house and take some pictures of us before the holidays. Here are just a few.

December 31st- January 9th.

We are back and we had a great time. We headed out Sunday morning and got stopped in Amarillo because all the roads leading into Colorado from our area were closed. There was a ten mile back up leading out of Amarillo going into New Mexico and the police started turning people around and sending them back to Amarillo. So we started trying to find a hotel. The first one had no electricity we went on to the next one and they didnt either. Come to find out one of the main power grids went out. At first we were told it was the whole north side of the interstate but later found out it was only that block. So Ryan kept looking and we finally found two rooms at the Camalot Inn and it looked like a castle (not a nice castle) I was a little leary at first, when we first started looking I told the girls if worst comes to worst we may have to stay there. And worst came to worst they were the only ones with rooms left. But the hotel turned out fine. I was happy to have a warm bed to sleep in because I am sure there were people that had to sleep in their cars.
Monday morning we got up early and hoped the roads had opened and we were in luck. On the way out of Amarillo we passed through where the ten mile back up and been and we started seeing snowmen on the side of the road it seems the kids started getting out and playing in the snow after being stuck on the road for so long.
We decided to call Ryans cousin about having lunch with us since we didnt get to stay with them like we had hoped. But when we called we found out that Mickey was in the hospital with a burst appendix. We got to the condo around 4:00 that day. We unloaded the car and then we went and got our rentals.
Tuesday we got up early got everybody ready and Ryan took the two little ones to ski school and Ryan went to his private ski lesson to learn how to snow board.
I went with Halie and Alisa and watched Alisa and Stacee learn to ski.
Around noon Ryan was finished and his instructor told him he was the best student he had ever had. He even took Ryan down a blue and he did great. We were able to ski for a few hours until Sierra and Stacee were finished with Ski school.
They both did so well that we didnt make them go back the next day.
Wednesday Ryan Sierra Stacee and I headed out to go ski for the day. Halie and Alisa skied for a few hours but Alisa really didnt take to it very well. Stacee on the other hand loved it and was pretty good at it too. I had to tell her to slow down. She would just shoot straight down the hill.
Thursday it started snowing and snowed for two days. Halie joined us on Thursday and we skied all that day too. After the lifts closed we headed back to the condo and had a snow ball fight. And that is where I got injured. I was video taping everyone playing in the snow and we started having a snowball fight and while I am filming Ryan throws a snowball and hits we right in the forehead. I even got it on camera. He hit me so hard it cut my forehead I started rubbing the spot with my hand and realized it was bleeding. He has had many laughs about it since then.
That night Ryan and I took the rentals back and then went to
Pug Ryans ( a restaurant we went to last time we where there).
Friday we all sleep in and headed out around 11:00 and went up the mountain on the gondola to go tubing. Remember it was still snowing and very cold so image going down a hill 30 to 40 miles and hour. We have a ball though and have lots of video to prove it. After we came back down the mountain we had some lunch, did a little shopping then went back to the room to start packing.
Ryan and I woke up around 4:30 got loaded and started for home an hour later. Coming out of Colorado Springs the winds started picking up and started blowing snow across the road. We had to drive around 40mphs all the way through New Mexico we lost at least hour. The winds were so strong we saw 6 cars that had actually been flip over by the winds.
We got home that night after being on the road for 15 hours.
We stayed at home on Sunday and did a whole lot of nothing we were so tired.
Monday Ryan went back to work and the girls and I stayed home and finished unpacking and doing the mounds of laundry.
Mitch,Miranda,Tripp and Brent came over that night ate dinner with us and watched the video of our trip.
So today the kids are back at school (YEA) and all is back to normal.

But I have to say taking the girls friends with us was great. I really did make things easier, they didnt get near as bored on the ride up there and back. And they stayed more content while we were there.
I hope everyone has a great week.