Hitting the Slopes

We enjoyed the long MLK Jr. weekend with a trip to our favorite Canadian skiing spot-Big White, BC.  We skipped this annual trip last year as we were on our 'Husband student teaching budget plan' so it was nice to get back and enjoy this yearly adventure.  It was also a GIANT FIRST for the Sackman family as we all skied!  In years past I'd stay behind with Finny and/or Beau in the morning and then skied in the afternoon while Husband stayed with the little kids.  This year Finley and Beau enjoyed ski school in the mornings (While the adults skied with the older kids) and then the little kids skied with us in the afternoons!

Now, I've said it before and I'll say it again-vacationing with children is not relaxing...at all.  A ski vacation with children is the furthest thing from relaxing in the universe!  Not only does it require the most extreme organized planning, preparing, and packing...the total amount of 'stuff' required for a family ski trip in order to ensure everyone can tolerate the cold weather is insane! Thankfully I suffered through this with my two BFF's who also had to pack for their children, so we made sure we had a large supply of beverages to thaw us out after the long days on the slopes.

Overall, it was a super weekend-we skied, stayed in a beautiful penthouse, enjoyed a lot of fun with our friends, and left feeling really proud of all the kids!  Our goal is to get the little kids on the slopes a few more times so they don't totally forget all the stuff they learned, but this winter weather hasn't exactly been 'snowy' and TJ has a full schedule of Saturday basketball games...so we will see!

 Cannon, Finley, Taylor, Coley, Beau, TJ, and Brayden!  Getting this crew dressed and out the door was an act of God..our condo was a disaster zone!

The Sackman, Christoph, Meyer Crew

 After a hard day of ski school...a smile!

 "LET'S GO!" Tanner had a ball skiing and had little patience for his slow mom!

 Beau waiting in line for the chair lift!

 TJ, Mommy, and Husband enjoying a morning at the top of the mountain

 Sissy getting a tow from Husband

 Zach, Taylor, TJ, and Jodi

 Sissy marching in after a morning of ski school

 Zach and Husband

 Manny & Minny did so great at ski school-both moved up levels!

 Finley, Cannon, and Brayden dethawing after a long day! 

 A snapshot into what it takes to get 7 kids and 6 adults out the door...

 Yes...someone must cry.  Today it was Finleys turn!

 TJ and Coley playing Farkle

 Now this is what I call relaxing!

 Coley and TJ anxious to get going!

Finley's ski school class

We all commented that we hope the kids realize how lucky they are that their parents 1.  Have the sanity to take them skiing 2.  The funds to take them skiing 3.  The patience to take them skiing.

 If they don't realize it now...they will someday...when they are wrangling their own children into their ski bibs, boots, gloves, helmets, and jackets...while sweating profusely and cursing under their breath!