Monday, February 08, 2010

Taos Ski Trip Recap

We went skiing in Taos, New Mexico last week. It was such a fun trip! We were gone Tuesday - Saturday with our friends Todd & Leah, and we had such a good time!

Wade's parents came to our house to watch the boys, which was wonderful! Clayton got to go to preschool on Thursday (which was picture day :) ) and Drew got to sleep in his own bed. I love when the boys get to spend time in East Texas, but I was so thankful that Marsha & Terry were willing to watch them here last week. It just worked out really well. Thanks, Marsha & Terry! Y'all are the best!!!

We didn't take many pictures (Shocker!), but here are the few that I have to share...






Is it just me or does Wade look like a car jacker when he skis? ;)



How is it that Leah looks so cute in goggles and I look like a big goober???




I learned a lot on this trip. So much, in fact, that I feel the need to make a bulleted list. Y'all know how I love a good list! It makes my OCD heart go pitter patter. Ha!

* I learned that I loooove every single thing about going on a ski trip, except for the actual skiing. I love the scenery, the wintery clothes (we don't get many opportunities to wear sweaters, thick coats, ear muffs, and hats in Texas!), riding on the lifts, hanging out in the lodge, drinking hot chocolate, hot tubing, etc. I just really don't care for the actual skiing.

I have been on 4 ski trips in my life and I have never felt comfortable on skis. I am terrified of going fast, so I spend the whole time trying to slow myself down so that I feel in control. I am just a nervous skier, and that isn't any fun. I wish that I wasn't such a scaredy cat. :(

I took a 2 hour refresher lesson to try to gain some confidence. At first, I'll admit that I was feeling better about my abilities. As I skied down the bunny hill I might have thought to myself, "Oh yeah! Mama's still got it..." When we got to the real slopes, however, I realized that this Mama don't got it. ;) I just resided myself to the fact that I am never going to be good at skiing. Such a shame...

* I learned that I am perfectly content sitting in the lodge watching the beautiful scenery with a book and a hot chocolate. I spent the second ski day doing just that and it was awesome! I loved every minute of the peace and quiet. :)

* I learned that I really, really, really love spending time with just my Hubs. We've been "dating" since June 2nd, 1995 and there is still no one that I would rather be around. I missed our kids like mad, but I sure did love being with just their Daddy. I feel like every time that we get away together, our marriage gets a little boost and we come home better than when we left. :)

* I learned that Leah is really good at being pregnant. She makes growing a baby look so easy! She glided down those slopes like a pro! You would never guess that she was 19 weeks pregnant. She never complained once or acted like she was uncomfortable. It was amazing to me!

* I learned that 5 days is about the maximum amount of time that I can be away from my babies without being totally miserable. I was really missing them by the time that we got home!

* I learned that you can learn A LOT about a person when you have a 12 hour drive each way to and from your destination. Leah and I sat in the back seat and gabbed the whole time. We see and talk to each other multiple times a week, so you wouldn't think that we'd have much to talk about. But... we sure did find GOBS to discuss. I feel like I know her so much better now. ;)

* I learned that it takes several days to catch up when you get back from a trip. My mother-in-law did ALL of the boys' laundry, changed all of the sheets on all of the beds, and left my house immaculate. How awesome is that?!?! I have a really, really great mom-in-law, for sure! Even with all of that done, though, it took me a good 2 days to get myself back into our usual routine.

* I learned that my baby boy desperately needs tubes. He has been a hot mess since we got home! He cries non-stop, isn't sleeping, and just isn't himself. I'm 99.99% sure that his ears are infected again. :( We met with the ENT last Monday and his tubes are scheduled for this Wednesday (the 10th). I'm nervous about the anesthesia, but so ready to get his ears fixed. By Thursday I'm hoping to have my sweet Drew back to his usual self. Fingers crossed...

I really enjoyed our trip! Out of curiosity, what is your favorite trip that you've ever been on? I'd love to hear from you!

7 comments:

Holly said...

What a fun post! I was hoping you'd have a recap and you did not disappoint! I laughed out loud about "Mama's still got it" - you are too funny! (And you do NOT look like a goober in your goggles. Let me email you a pic of me in goggles AND helmet and you'll feel much better about yourself).

I wish I could have joined you for a couple hours on your car ride to get to know you and Leah better and take those friendship roots deeper. :)

I love how much you love Wade and I'm glad you got to reconnect.

What a great mom-in-law you have! I want to be sure to see Clayton's school picture. I know it will be adorable!

Favorite vacation by far - meeting Tim in Colorado Springs for his 2 week mid-tour leave from Iraq after we'd been apart for 10 months! ;) Runner up - family trip to Hawaii.

Anonymous said...

Up until now I've been a blog stalker, I guess, since I haven't commented. Your family is adorable and you have such a gift for writing these updates! It's been fun for me to keep up with the Carpenters! Reading about Drew's ears prompted me to send a comment. Both my girls had tubes when they were little and I wish I had known then about chiropractic. This is definitely a "for what it's worth" comment, but felt I should share. This article happens to be from the website of a chiro that goes to our church.

Otitis Media
Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear, usually secondary to an upper respiratory infection (URI). It can occur at any age but is most prevalent during the ages of 3 months to 3 years. The most common symptom is severe, persistent earache. Additional signs and symptoms include fever (up to 105-F), nausea, vomiting and diarrhea - especially in young children. Symptoms of headache, sudden profound hearing loss, dizziness, chills and fever can indicate serious complications and should receive immediate evaluation. While the medical approach to otitis media consists of antibiotics, many antibiotics are becoming increasingly ineffective. Furthermore, studies have shown children given antibiotics to treat otitis media increase their odds of having recurrent infections.

Published case studies involving chiropractic treatment of otitis media in children has shown substantial benefits. In one such study, 5 children (5 years and younger) who were under regular pediatric care and who had otitis media for 6 months without resolution were given chiropractic treatment. Chiropractic treatment consisted of gentle cervical spinal adjustments and lymphatic massage. Otitis media resolved in all 5 children - 3 days, 4 days, 8 days, 3 weeks, and 8 weeks. Resolution was determined by otoscopic examination and reduction of fever. None of the children required more than 5 chiropractic treatments in order to achieve resolution.

Fixations and misalignments in the cervical region can cause muscular spasms as well as neurological compromise which are thought to prevent proper drainage of the middle ear. When the middle ear is unable to drain, bacteria can pool and multiply resulting in acute and chronic middle ear infections. By treating the cervical spine and assisting in middle ear drainage, a majority of otitis media cases can be safely and quickly treated.

i.The Merck Manual. 16th ed. 1992.
ii.Fysh PN. Chronic Recurrent Otitis Media: Case Series of Five Patients with Recommendations for Case Management. J Clin Chiro Ped 1996;2:66-78.

Leslie said...

I'm betting on the trip the Heges take with the Carpenters to Hawaii--whenever that eventually happens (Ha!). Loved catching up with you today. I'll be praying for you guys tomorrow!

Anonymous said...

Too funny - I really was going to sign my name on the above comment and totally forgot.
Karen Pease

Matt and Cindy Fleharty said...

Glad y'all had a great trip!! Maybe next time you can swing through Hobbs ;)

Matt and Cindy Fleharty said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hannah said...

What a huge blessing to be able to take a trip like that! It looks so beautiful. I hate cold; hated the only ski trip I've ever been on. But I loved the hot choc and scenery! My favorite vaca was our honeymoon - cruise and a few extra days on South Beach. Love me some sun and sand!