Skiing in Colorado

Since we knew my family would be doing a big dunes trip for Thanksgiving and the week after Christmas we told our kids we could either join them for one of those trips or we would take them snowboarding/skiing the week after Christmas. They chose snowboarding. Travis has been taking the older boys for years and now the younger two want to try it. Oi. That means we could be a skiing family if I step it up. I HATE snow and cold and don't care for snowboarding. Even back when my dad first took us I just fake smiled and secretly imagined drinking hot chocolate, reading a book in the lodge. It's stressful to me. I don't like going fast and it seems like you're either cold or sweating. Then you're clomping around in ski boots and undoing layer after layer to go pee. I truly don't understand why anyone loves it. ANYWAY, I was willing to be a big girl and make this trip happen in the name of family togetherness. The bonus was stopping in Gallup for a night to visit the Shaheens. I felt bad coming the day after Christmas but it was what it was. Christmas was on a Monday and we drove to Gallup Tuesday afternoon, getting there that evening. We played all day Wednesday and left at night for Colorado. Our kids were so excited. Collin said he loves visiting the Shaheens because Megan cooks her whole cookbook for us. He's right. We brought bags of citrus and Mexican food but she still makes so much food. Her house was all decorated for a Christmas parade of homes... I don't know what it's really called. It was incredible. Her tree, alone, was the most amazing, beautiful tree I've ever seen. They just live on a next level of fancy I could never imagine creating!

The time with the Shaheens passed too quickly and we were on to Colorado! We drove into Durango late at night and woke up the next morning and spent the whole day at Purgatory. It's such an ordeal getting everyone dressed and outfitted with gear. Travis and Collin have snowboards but we needed to get skiis for me, Olive and Weston and a board for Tanner. The rental line took forever. Travis was going to take Olive and Tanner to the bunny hill to teach them because lessons were outrageously expensive. Collin and Weston were going to take me on a green hill. I learned how to ski as a teenager but then snowboarded through college. Haven't been on a slope since our first year of marriage though. I thought switching to skis would be easier. We got on a lift for a hill that the boys thought looked easy. It went way higher than we realized. And the mountains in Colorado are way bigger than Arizona! I was terrified. I tried to pizza slice down but even then I was going way faster than I was comfortable. Then it happened. I don't know how, but I started gaining speed and couldn't stop. I started SCREAMING. I mean, top of my lungs, I'm about to die screaming. The boys were yelling behind me to snow plow to slow down but I was flying and I just knew I was going to crash and break every bone in my body. I looked side to side to see if there were any soft snow banks. All I could see were trees! And icy ground. Still flying down the mountain with adrenaline pumping like a bobcat was chasing me. Finally crashed into the side where some snow was. I was alive!! I was shaking and just laid there sprawled out like a fool. The boys came up next to me asking if I was ok. Oh. my. heck. This is my worst nightmare activity. The boys were so sweet though, trying to encourage me and give me tips. When we got to the bottom I went right to the bunny hill to practice on something more my skill level. That helped a ton. And I was totally content there haha. Meanwhile, Tanner and Olive are killing it! Both were doing amazing and Olive hadn't even fallen! They were having a great time. Phew. Travis thought he was going to have two crying kids on his hands. Instead, he had a crying wife haha. I don't even remember how the rest of the time went but Travis took the older boys on bigger slopes and I stayed with Tanner and Olive for a while. At the end of the day I felt like I had conquered Everest. One day down. One more to go. 

We got dinner at a place Travis loved when we lived in Farmington, Serious Texas BBQ. It was super good! 

Day 2. I can do this. I'll admit, there was one moment on the slopes that felt fun and I got a little glimpse into why people like this. But it was fleeting. I mean, the shortest of seconds haha. I did like that we were all together doing something fun and I loved that the kids and Travis were having a great time. Also, not sad for the day to end. The final day, Saturday, just Travis went with the older boys and I walked over to the mall with Olive and Tanner to shop a little then walk to the movie theater to see the new Wonka movie. When they were done around 3pm, they came and picked us up at the theater and we got some food and drove the 6 hours home. 

The trip was a success! Looks like we're a snow sport family! 3 skiers and 3 snowboarders. Oh goodie!! ;)

Just look at this beauty! Way to go, Payson. You never get a blizzard with adequate toppings and sticking out the top of the cup like this anymore!! God was rewarding me for doing hard things.