The time share they rented was quite close to a small ski resort, which allowed John to snowboard and me to ski for the first time since well before we got married and Evelyn to "ski" (if we can call it that) for the first time ever.
Apparently the all-day ski school my friends rave about sending their kids to didn't exist at this resort; our only option for instruction was a 1-hour lesson, during which Evelyn did not accumulate any significant ski skills, although she apparently did enjoy throwing snowballs at pictures of animals. John took her down the bunny slope several times after the lesson was over. (Bless him). Myself, I couldn't even get her over to the magic carpet.
It was definitely the warmest skiing I've ever done. The temperature was in the low 60s, and at some points, it got dangerously close to to water skiing, but we all had fun.
By the time April and Evelyn's spring break rolled around, I was sufficiently recovered from the drive to New Hampshire to brave a flight to Nashville. This flight, although short (2.5 hours) and therefore only a sample of what we'll experience in our trip back west this summer, went fabulously well. Evelyn sat across the aisle from me and Hyrum and played on her ipod the whole time. Hyrum sat beside me and watched Toy Story the whole time. Now, that's what they call a win/win.
Since my parents left there only a year after I did (14 years ago; ouch), I don't make it back very often. Every time, I wish I could come more frequently. It really is such a lovely part of the country, and with such wonderful friends to boot.
Plus, I think we may have had more space in Beth's guest quarters than we do at home. When we drove up to her house, Evelyn asked, "Which one is it?"
"This is it. It's this one."
"No, but which ONE is it?"
"Evelyn, this is it. The whole building is her house."
The kids were in heaven with space to run around, swings and a trampoline in the backyard, unlimited strawberries and blueberries, and lots of older kids and adults who mostly thought they were adorable.
Between the two trips, visits from Laurel and Charles, amazing weather at home, experimenting with new hairstyles,
and--oh yeah--Easter!,
we spent March and April in relatively good spirits. Here's to May!
