The Johnsons (Griswolds) Go Skiing

So we went skiing for the first time this season yesterday afternoon. We love, and by we, I mean Clayton, to go skiing at Hillberg (on Emlendorf AFB) after 4:00pm because it's half price. Seemed like a good call for our first go of the season.. our kids did really well last season but I was kind of expecting some backsliding this year so if it was half-price (even though it's pitch black outside at 4:00pm), we could get over it if it was a complete FAIL. I should have known things weren't going to go smoothly simply based on the fact that it took me an hour to get the kids' season rental skis at Sports Authority. That should take about 20 minutes..and no one else was in line. Hmmm. BUT, I didn't let that daunt me. NO WAY! I'm an Alaska MOM! We're going skiing! Second road block: Kara left her snow pants at home. The ONE thing she was responsible for. OK, I'm cool (well, if a raging lunatic is cool, I'm cool). I run into the BX to buy another snow suit (multiples are a good thing). Guess what?? The stupid BX is OUT of snow suits and pants. Figures. What to do?? By now, it's darn near 4:00, dark and cold. Clayton is working (on Sunday, yes) and meeting us at the hill at 4:00. He NEVER answers his cell phone.. What to do? Go to Target, off base, and buy said snowsuit. So, Alaska Mom that I am, I drive off base, go to Target and find a snow suit in record time . Yay me! I drive BACK ON the base and trek out to Elmendorf. By now, It's about 4:30.. Not only are we meeting Clayton, we're meeting our neighbors. We're late. OH, and did I mention?? Driving on base while talking on cell phones is frowned upon mightily. I did not make or receive any calls while driving (Why? Because not only am I an Alaska Mom, I follow rules like any good firstborn!). FINALLY, we get to Hillberg and on the lift by 4:40. Kids do well getting on the lift and, not only that, they make it down the hill without any trouble. JOY! BLISS! All the drama was worth it!! (insert screeching brake noise HERE) Not so fast... after a few runs, our friends leave to go home so we decide it is a good time for a potty break. And maybe a snack because I, naturally, forgot to bring any snacks with me (still Alaska Mom). I order some food, the Claytons get a table but where is Kara?? Clayton goes looking for her and he hears her in the bathroom. She's screaming. Hysterically. Saying "APRIL! APRIL JOHNSON!". What does Clayton do? Well, he does what Dads do.. he got me. I go into the bathroom and find poor Kara has had an "accident". She didn't quite make it to the potty, poor sugar. And she is a disaster! Granted, everything from her snowsuit to her ski boots are soaking wet.. we did the best we could but, suffice it to say, her skiing was over for the day. That's when I started to get the hint that maybe skiing wasn't the best plan for Kara.. I had the "signs" but I chose to ignore them. Oh well, not the first and certainly not the last time that will happen (well, at least we hope it's the last time Kara has that kind of accident).

Nonetheless, we had a grand time skiing (except for the obvious). The kids did AWESOME! Clay was "yee-haw'ing" all the way down the hill.. in between his famous "Winner, winner, chicken dinner" calls :) I got to try out my brand new skis and they were awesome, too. I have learned to love the snow and I love that our kids are growing up skiing. You would love it, too, if you came to visit :)

That little blob in the middle of the photo is Clay coming down his last run of the day.

Here he is a little closer.