Our Girls Can Ski!

This vacation has been so much fun for our family. The most surprising part has been Henry's stamina. The boy was in three days of ski school from 9:30 am to 3 pm, awkwardly moving through snow trying to learn ski techniques. He'd return to the condo revved up with new found energy that didn't wane. Is the altitude messing with his brain? He doesn't stop. We had to prevent him from climbing on and jumping off of furniture! The first morning he was up at 4:24 am, and we had to send him back to bed. At six o'clock sharp he appeared at my bedside this morning, and happily said, "Good Morning! Is it time to run and play?!"

The most impressive part of the trip, aside from the spectacular mountain views, has been the speed at which Olivia and Evelyn mastered skiing basics. No joke, both girls left ski school yesterday and asked to go up on the mountain to ski with their daddy. He took them, and he said they did great. Unlike their nervous mother, they have confidence. Also unlike their mother, they seem perfectly able to control their speed. I start off fine, but my lack of fine braking ability results in way more speed that a beginner needs by the time I get down the hill. There are times when I am hauling, and it isn't from trying to ski at warp speed! Anyway, the girls simply make wide S curves back and forth with their toes pointed toward the sides of the run, and they stay in control. Robbie added a day of skiing to our plan so that he could take just the girls out by himself today. Ev skied all morning, and now Robbie is on some more difficult greens with Olivia. Olivia's instructor took her way up the mountain yesterday, and she said she's doing awesome. She is even getting her skis parallel.

My favorite moments were those spent going up the ski lift with Robbie. All was quiet, except for wind through the trees. The sun was out each day, and the temperature was near 40. We had some of God's most lovely creations surrounding us with snow-covered pine trees and mountain peaks. Robbie looked so totally happy and relaxed. It was wonderful to share those moments with him. I love my man so dearly. He has wanted to take the kids skiing for years, and now we'll likely make it an annual event.

I made the three youngest take a nap this afternoon (the first one of our trip), and I enjoyed some quiet reading. I'm writing near the fire, and I can see expert skiers high, high up the mountain out the window. Yesterday after my legs had experienced all of the contractions they could handle for one day, I sent Robbie up the high speed lift to get some speed and steep runs out of his system. He says it is no fun to ski alone, but I don't believe him. I waited outside in the warm sun with a cold beer and watched for the children to finish ski school. What fun!

Baby Vivian is back to her sweet and happy self. I think a combination of things gave her trouble and caused her to not feel well. I had a terrible headache and even some nausea our first morning here, even though I made a huge effort to stay hydrated. Everyone else has adjusted fine to our elevation. We played in a giant hot tub this morning, then we walked through the village cobblestone shopping area for fun until it was time to meet Evelyn. Vivian was dressed for the cold air, and a man called her a snow bunny. Her little mittens didn't come all the way out of her coat sleeves, so she looked like she had no thumbs. It was funny. It's a wonderful life.