Thursday, April 2, 2009

2008 Backlog: Sister Oaks December

My mom rented Sister Oaks--our favorite cabin--for a few days right after Christmas. So, the day after Christmas we loaded up in the van along with April and Wes and headed up to to Green Valley Lake (on the way to Big Bear) to meet my mom and dad for a few relaxing days in the cabin. Although we ended up having a blast sledding and loungin' around the cabin, we were met with a treacherous drive both up and down the mountain. It took us FOUR HOURS to get there. To make matters worse, it had snowed a lot in the previous days and we had to put on chains; although we had them, they did not fit. A post-Christmas miracle happened when one of the many s"unsavory" looking (and sounding) seasonal chain fitters decided to help us jury rig our gear to fit the Odyssey's tires. I think they wanted something like $50 to help, so we were very grateful that the gentleman decided to help us for free. Despite the fact that he refused payment, he did accept the rubber ties I had which we didn't need.

We finally arrived only to find out that my mom's little Civic was having trouble making it up the steep road to the cabin. Wes and I descended in the van--its weight an advantage--to assist them. At one point I fell and hurt my knee, my dad dented the car while leaning on it and we nearly hit someone. Eventually we had to leave the little Honda at the bottom of a hill in someone's driveway (we got permission by the way).

I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking. Suffice to say the snow was deep and stunning. Carter ended up really enjoying our sledding expedition despite the fact that he wasn't too thrilled about the cold. Claire was clingy and didn't want much to do with any of the cold white stuff.

Finally, after putting together this post, I've decided what makes my blogging voice unique: really bad humor. Before every picture I come up with the lamest jokes. So, at least realize that I am cognizant that I am not that funny but the most important thing is that I crack myself up. (;

Big thanks to goes out to Wes for his heroics helping me get these things on and off. What a pain.




The definition of cozy!




I really like this sign that Chani and Marilyn put up because I am a huge believer in the importance
and power of imagination.


In the 21st Century, some people relax by using notebook
computers (there is wifi at Sis. Oaks)


The fear we strike in our opponents is half the battle:
From Sister Oaks December 2008


Carter, this is what real mountain men do whilst in mountain
country...shop on eBay!
Ulterior title for this shot:
"Grandpa always used to say, an Intel based laptop is a man's
best friend in the back country!"
From Sister Oaks December 2008


Claire stumbled into the game after waking up late but
scored a touchdown immediately:
From Sister Oaks December 2008


I think when my mom envisioned the cabin this is probably
exactly what she saw herself doing...
staring blankly with a slight grin and absolutely no where
to go and no one to call:
From Sister Oaks December 2008


One of Carter's shots:
From Sister Oaks December 2008


Oh Auntie Apey!
From Sister Oaks December 2008


This was the closest my dad came to smiling on this
particular trip:
From Sister Oaks December 2008


As I was trying to tie Carter's shoes he fell backward into the van:
From Sister Oaks December 2008


This is the look most ski bunnies are going for these days:
From Sister Oaks December 2008


Apes and Wes pre-sledding shot (ahhhh).
From Sister Oaks December 2008


Then things got ugly...or hot...I can't remember.
From Sister Oaks December 2008


There was some snow on the ground:
From Sister Oaks December 2008


My mom pulling Carter:
From Sister Oaks December 2008


From Sister Oaks December 2008


From Sister Oaks December 2008


Sleddin' time!
From Sister Oaks December 2008


From Sister Oaks December 2008


April's not good at faking injury...I think it's the smile that
gives her away:
From Sister Oaks December 2008


Departing to sled:


"Uh, oh Daddy!" says Claire as I plummet down the bunny
slope.


Like father, like son:


I tried to get some action shots:


Sarah and Carter flying down the hill and my annoying,
raspy laugh:



1 comment:

The Ward Family said...

I love Claire's "Uh Oh!" So cute that she was concerned.