Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Family Vacation

The past several years we've been taking a family ski trip to Taos, NM.  I figured we'd go somewhere new every year, but we just can't pass up this place!  It's the perfect setup for a family ski trip.  The skiing is awesome, the condos are literally on the slopes, and the ski school is within walking distance, as well as several good restaurants and shops.  We tend to go towards the end of February or first part of March when it's quiet and we've been very lucky to have had a ton of snow usually before and after we leave.  The temperature is around the 30's, but seems like 60's... unless you're out after the sun goes down.  Kristi and Brad usually meet us there and this year our parents joined us, too!  We just love Taos and look forward to going every year!


View from the Condo


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View from the Balcony


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Mornings were FUN with all the kids!


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Suited Up for the First Day of Ski School


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Kenedy and Her Instructor


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Kenedy started skiing when she was three and has never looked back!  She's a natural and loves it!  She was the last one off the slopes everyday and couldn't wait to get back out there the next morning.  If I had just a tenth of her energy...





The funniest thing about Kenedy is that she doesn't want any help.  She skis by herself and will hardly let you sit by her on the ski lift!


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Hadyn likes skiing too, but if she never did it again, I don't think it'd bother her too much!  She does love the snow, though, and could play in it all day!


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Here they are skiing together (well, somewhat together)!  Hadyn likes skiing best when Daddy holds her up so they can go faster!





John and Hadyn


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Mom, Dad, the kids and myself would usually meet Kristi and the guys for lunch at the Cafeteria.  It was a highlight of the day for the non-skiers!


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We also went tubing, which Kenedy and Hadyn BOTH love!  They have it most nights after the slopes shut down.  PawPaw even joined in!


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Hudson wasn't a big fan of the tubing.  Maybe next year!


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He did enjoy sitting by Alex while Avery played in the snow!


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Hudson:





Kenedy:





Hadyn:





Kenedy and PawPaw:





When we weren't skiing we were either eating, shopping, or playing in the snow or the condo!  So here are some random pictures of us doing just that!


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We got a little stir crazy at times!





And by the last day, I'd had enough of this:


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So, I borrowed Kristi's ski gear and headed out to ski with the girls!  I just made a couple of rounds and it was well worth the huffing and puffing!  I'll get 'em next year!


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My Sweet Little Family


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We're already looking forward to next year!  We'll have a new addition to introduce to Taos and look out for Hudson's first ski videos!



Thursday, March 4, 2010

A Little More Catching Up

If and when the kiddos are all feeling good, it can get pretty crazy inside.  We're definitely ready for some OUTDOOR spring activities!





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John's company convention was at Leon Springs Dance Hall and was a blast!  The kids had lots of fun coloring, dancing and just running around!


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Kenedy was pretty proud of her Johnny Rodriguez autographed hat.  Thanks, Uncle Mark!


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Hudson and Brayson taking advantage of the Dance Floor


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Next up was Hadyn's 5th Birthday Party!


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The kids had chef hats and aprons and made their own pizzas!  Hadyn had a blast!


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Check out that Deep Dish Birthday Cake!  Aunt Lisa made her day with that one!  Lisa's Cakery


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Our Must-Have Party Pinata


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Opening Presents


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Time for a bigger playroom!


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We always let them pick a fun thing to do on their actual birthday and Hadyn has started the Build-A-Bear Tradition.  They love it!


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We frequented the SA Rodeo alot this year and Kenedy even started the Calf Scramble (dropped the hat) with her cousin, Hayes, one night.  Poor Hadyn's virus showed up that afternoon, so she stayed home with Mema and PawPaw.  Hudson sat completely still for the first 15 minutes of the rodeo and it was downhill from there, but I was expecting it.


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The Calf Scramble


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The Finals with Mema and PawPaw (The girls spent the night with Momo and Mop!)


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Finally, Hadyn felt well enough the last day to visit the Carnival.  They look forward to it for an entire year!


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The Famous Pig Races


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John was scared, but Kenedy talked him into it.  No Kidding!


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Happy 1st Birthday to my nieces, Alex and Avery!!!


Click here to see their Party Pics!


My Little Valentines


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Hadyn's picture was about a week after Valentine's Day.  Her teacher was sweet enough to have another Valentine Party because Hadyn and her virus missed the first one!


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Well, I think that about does it!  We just got back from our vacation, so I'll sort through those photos and get them up here as soon as I can.  But we all know how that goes...