We just got back from our Angel Fire ski trip and had the best time! The last time we went skiing was two years ago when Nathan was 4. Charlotte stayed home on that trip, but was so excited to go along this time.
We left last Thursday after school and drove halfway, stopping in Amarillo to eat dinner at The Big Texan. Nathan remembered eating here two years ago. They both had a lot of fun here, and our waitress gave them each cowboy hats which they loved. After dinner we got to our hotel and had a good night's sleep. Staying in a hotel is especially exciting for two little kids! It took a while to get them to settle down, but wasn't too bad. The next morning, they woke up bright and early. We let Daddy sleep in a bit while the three of us went down for breakfast. If staying in a hotel is exciting, eating an all you can eat breakfast AT A HOTEL, is really exciting!!! They were really cute. They went down in their pajamas and had so much fun picking out what they wanted to eat. Then they wanted to take breakfast back to Daddy. Both of them worked together to pick out what they thought Daddy would want, and up we went. We took our time getting ready since we only had short drive on this day.
We got to Angel Fire around 1:00. Friday was our easy going day. We checked in and got unpacked. Nathan and Charlotte couldn't wait to go play in the snow! So we got their ski clothes on and walked out to the slopes. What's nice about staying at The Lodge there, is that it is right on the mountain...just walk out the walkway, up a few stairs, and there's the ski lift! We let them play (roll around) in the snow for a while and then I got them checked in for ski school the next day and Wayne and I checked out our skis and boots. Nathan and Charlotte were so excited to finally be there and had all the energy in the world while playing outside in the snow. But once they sat down while Wayne and I were getting fitted for our boots and skis, both of them fell right to sleep...on the bench!
They had their little power naps and were good to go later that evening. We ate a pizza dinner at the lodge that night and sat by the fire. The pictures by the fire are courtesy of our photographer, Nathan. A special thing that Daddy did for Nathan and Charlotte was that he brought a secret sack of toys for them. He told them that if they had a great day, no whining, crying, or complaining, they would get a surprise each night. That was a great motivator! So each night, they got to open their gift. Nathan ended up getting all of the Hobbit characters and Charlotte got all of the Princess Sofia characters. They had so much fun playing with them each night.
On Saturday, Nathan, Charlotte and I had to wake up early to get to ski school. They had to be there at 8:00 am! Both of them were very excited which made it easier for me. The ski lifts opened at 9:00 so after dropping them off, I got my skis and was able to start skiing first thing. We let Daddy sleep in a bit. I skied on my own for a few hours and then met Wayne around 11:00. I thought Wayne would have slept in late, but he actually got going around 9:30 so he had already skied for a while too and then we got to ski together the rest of the day. The one thing that is a little different about us is that he likes to ski a little, take a long break and relax and enjoy the scenery. I, on the other hand, want to take about a 5 minute break and then keep going! I knew this was our one day to ski without kids so I didn't want to miss a minute! We actually got a TON of skiing in that day. Sometimes we'd take a break and then I'd do one more run while he finished his Coke. The other thing that is really nice about Angel Fire is that while the mountain is a nice size, it isn't huge. We pretty much did all of the runs several times before it was time to pick Nathan and Charlotte up at ski school. We got them at 3:30, and they both said that they had a lot of fun. Nathan's instructor said he was able to ski "in control" and wouldn't have any problems going with us the next day. Charlotte's teacher said she knows how to put on her skis and can do a pizza wedge (which is how you slow down and stop). Where Nathan's lesson was pretty much an all day ski lesson (with a break for lunch and snack), Charlotte's lesson was more of an "introductory" lesson. They told me they would "try to make it last an hour, but with 3 year olds, you just never know." Translation: She will put on skis and slide a little bit in the snow so she can say she "skied." Then they will just play the rest of the time. I knew our work would be cut out for us the next day!
On Sunday, we slept in a little, and then got ready to hit the slopes. Nathan and Charlotte couldn't wait. Wayne and I just about burned up trying to get all of our ski clothes on plus all of theirs! That is the one negative to skiing...so much stuff to keep track of! Gloves, goggles, hats, socks, neck warmers...and then I'd get everything on and boots fastened and Charlotte would tell me she has a wrinkle in her sock that she just can't stand. We broke a sweat before we even got out of the room.
We first tried the bunny slope a few times to see exactly how well each of them could ski. I was completely shocked by Nathan! The last time we went, he could go down the mountain, but couldn't really stop himself. We used a harness on him so that we could be his brakes. This time, he really was in control! He did pretty much just go straight down the mountain, but he could turn when he needed to and was able to slow himself down and stop. Charlotte's legs aren't quite strong enough to really stop and turn herself. Plus she only had one day of lessons. So she ended up skiing in between my legs, hanging onto my poles going across her. It was the funniest thing because she would start out standing up and really paying attention, but then she would end up just going limp and being along for the ride. There were so many times that we would be skiing, and I'd say, "Charlotte? Are you standing up?" And she would say, "Yes Mommy, this is fun!" But I swear, her legs were pretty much dangling. So funny. So after a few runs on the bunny slope, we went up the main lift to try a long green run. Nathan was so ready to just ski! No more of that baby stuff. I knew Charlotte and I would be a ways behind so Wayne stuck with Nathan. And he video taped him while skiing down the run. I had my little rag doll between my legs and Wayne had his poles in one hand, video camera in the other hand, trying to keep up with our ski pro. We were quite a sight! Wayne and I were both so proud of Nathan! Nathan skied the whole way down and never had any problems. I am so happy I have a video of it! There's a funny part on the video when the run goes from a narrow little road to a big wide open hill. Nathan pretty much just goes straight. In the video, you see Nathan turn into this black speck. Wayne said it was really hard to keep up with him especially since he had the camera! After we all made it down, my legs and back were about to break. Charlotte and I took a break...this was one instance where I actually wanted to take a long break and relax! And Wayne and Nathan went back up for a 2nd run together. When they got back, Daddy stayed with Charlotte (she was perfectly content to continue this break the rest of the day) and I skied with Nathan. It was so much fun because we both realized that Nathan can completely hold his own! Now I can't wait until next year! After Nay Nay and I got back down, Wayne took them both back to the room for another little break. By this time, even Nathan was tired, and I skied for another hour by myself.
At the end of the day, we turned our skis in, and I took Nathan and Charlotte swimming in the indoor pool while Daddy got a beer and watched some football at the bar. He let me ski by myself for a while so I let him watch football...we take care of each other like that. Then we had dinner at the other restaurant and crashed soon after. We were all exhausted!
Monday was a little tough. We had to drive the whole way back. But Wayne and I are very grateful for good travelers. Nathan and Charlotte did pretty well since we had tons of snacks and movies and activities for them to do in the car. But that sure was a long 10 hours! I mean they think going to Austin is a long time! All in all, it was a wonderful trip with great memories. The four of us always have so much fun together!!!!!
The Big Texan restaurant
Breakfast at the hotel before heading to Angel Fire
Just arrived!
Exploring the hotel before going to dinner...Nathan took these pictures
Attempting the bunny slope for the first time
On the main lift for the first time
Eating lunch at the top of the mountain and getting ready to do our first full green run.
We survived!
These are the pictures we had taken on top of the mountain.
