New Mexico Part 2

Michael's parents graciously kept the boys while Michael, Sarah, and I headed to the mountains of New Mexico to ski. A university student from our church offered the use of his family's vacation home for a college retreat. Let's just say that the world was Sarah's oyster for those four days. She had her own Sarah H. fan club of more than 20 college students and no brothers to divert any of that attention.

Sarah went to ski school for three days. Or, as I like to call it, ski school daycare. Best thing ever! Drop off was shortly after the lifts opened and pick-up was shortly before the lifts closed, which left plenty of parent ski and relaxation time. And, she loved every minute of it. No tears, all smiles. She didn't graduate off the bunny slope, but by the last day she was allowed to ride the chair lift by herself.

I had not skiied in three years, so the first day was pretty rough. I didn't warm up or get my legs under me before I headed for the harder stuff. I basically went down half the mountian on my butt and put a big ole rip in my ski pants. At one point I took my skis off and chucked them as far as I could. Let this be a lesson; this is not a good strategy. By day two I was back to my usual ski self and day three was perfect. Michael learned an important lesson, too. Don't check facebook on the chair lift or you might have to ski down a precarious part of the mountain to find the iphone.

Each afternoon, when the lifts closed, the local mule deer would come out to feed on stale bread, chips, pretzels, and other highly nutrious foods.

Here is the lovely house were we stayed. It was an amazing three story home with lots of bedrooms and space to spread out.

It also had an indoor ice rink, so Sarah also got to skate for the first time. Let's just say she was better at skiing.