Our last day in Utah we took the kids snowmobiling. Because there is so little snow in Utah right now we had to travel a little higher into the mountains for the good snow...and it was so worth it. At one point we were in powder up to our hips. This was problematic for the snowmobiles but fantastic for us snow-starved Texans. While the girls waited for the snowmobiles to be dug out...they made snow angels, buried each other, and basically acted like Texas girls in a big pile of snow. I thought it was charming. I'm not so sure about the other people with us on the ride. They were a wee bit grumpy.
I can't leave the snowmobiling episode without mentioning that JOSH HIT A TREE. Yup. In all fairness, it wasn't totally his fault. But fault is really not the object here....teasing him FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE...that's the object. I'm a good aunt, no?
We tubed at Soldier Hollow twice. The first time, on Wednesday night, everyone had the BEST time ever. I know this because Parker repeatedly yelled, "This is the best time EVER." And get this...Ryan Reynolds and Coach Bolton (dad from High School Musical) were also there. Brush with fame.
The second time we tubed was Saturday afternoon. Since we considered ourselves tubing veterans at this point, everyone grabbed a tube, got clipped in to the conveyor belt thing-y, and hurried up to the top. See, on Wednesday night we put together huge groups to come down the slide. Groups of 20 and more. The guys at the top helped us get everyone together. They pushed us off. It was all smiles and good times.
But on Saturday conditions were far different. Thursday had brought an inch of rain. This combined with warm temps during the day and freezing temps at night had made the tubing hills smooth as glass. I was down below taking pictures when our BIG group went flying down the hill and through the "just in case" construction fencing, taking out three poles in the process. During the mangle at the end Rebecca's head hit a pole and I spied her limping away with a good sized hole right at her temple. Uh oh.
If you know my family, you might also know that we rarely escape a good trip without at least one medical emergency. At first glance Becca's scrape looked minor, but it was the giant lump under the scrape that was somewhat concerning. Soldier Hollow did have an EMT on staff that looked her over. He thought she looked good overall, but I spent the next day and a half assessing her for concussion symptoms. That was fun. And super peaceful.
While I was home nursing Becca the rest of the family was paying the price on the ice. Jenny, Debbie and Emily all fell on the slippery ice. When a flying tube took out a woman walking by...which necessitated an ambulance...everyone decided to pack it in. I breathed a sigh of relief.
And the next day? We drove and drove and drove. Straight through the night. Without mishap...and even swung by and picked up our dog from the pet resort on our way into town at 8 in the morning. By 9 Sterling was back at work. By 3 that afternoon? The kids had escaped my clutches to reunite with their friends.
Aaaaannnnd. Life was back to normal. Just like that.
The end.
P.S. It is certainly worth mentioning that while I credited Debbie in my last post with staying with me on the mountain, Emily took the responsibility for getting ALL the rest of the kids down. Essentially, Debbie was in charge of me and Emily was in charge of Parker, Sam, Rebecca, Jordan and Madison. Emily is a great skiing partner: she has skillz and doesn't mind sticking with the newbies. Thanks Em!
Aw, well aren't you sweet. I wasn't diggin for compliments or praise but I didn't want you to think I'd ever abandon you! And ill certainly take compliments or praise at any time!;) Those kids tore it up! Parker is a pro! January 2013 is going to be epic.
Posted by: Em | January 04, 2012 at 05:52 PM
Saturday was the WORST day ever. We quit skiing after one run that day & I won't go back out til we get more snow :( So sad. Next time I want to ski with you too :)
Posted by: jen | January 05, 2012 at 06:16 PM