Taos . . . Day 4

The little girls took lessons in the morning . . .

 . . . and were skiing like pro's that afternoon!

They were our little speed demons.  We could barely keep up!

 Carter . . . 

 . . . & Dave were still struggling, so they took another full day of lessons.  Once they realized that their boots were too big & they got that fixed, it finally clicked!  They both turned the corner that afternoon and were doing great.  So, Taylor & I . . .

 skied together all morning, as did Zack, Gary, & Laurie . . . 

 ~ Zack ~

 ~ Gary ~

We all met up for lunch . . . 

 ~ Gary & Dave ~

 ~ Gary ~

~ Zack ~

 ~ Gary, Carter, Dave, & Zack ~

 ~ Lauren & Katelyn ~

After lunch, Laurie & I took all the girls down Honey suckle (my favorite run . . . it was 5 miles of skiing bliss!)  

~ Katelyn ~

 ~ Lauren, Halli, & Taylor ~

We had a great time with those crazy Groppe's . . . 

. . . & loved every minute (Dave loved every minute he wasn't falling on his butt! :)) 

Dave, Gary, & Taylor headed back to the house while the rest of us stayed & played in the super deep snow . . . 

~ Katelyn ~

~ Zack ~

& did a little tubing . . .

Of course, there were snow ball fights . . .

 ~ Zack ~

 & there was lots of picture taking!

We had a blast!  Thanks guys!

Lauren's big day

Lauren lucked out as her birthday fell on an "early release day" at school.  So, since she got out at noon, Grandma & Grandpa McDougall came and picked her up . . .

. . . for a special lunch date at her favorite place, Mighty Fine!

She had a blast and felt so special.  Grandma & Grandpa stayed for dinner.  We had roast, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, and rolls per Lauren's request.  Of course there was birthday cake . . . 

and  presents . . .

Grandpa got her a card that said something about farting :)  They couldn't stop giggling, Grandpa included! 

She had a good day.  We're glad.

Happy Birthday Lauren . . . we love you!

Lauren . . .

* she's kind

*she's creative

*she loves treats

*she is shy

*she has lots of friends

*she's smart

*she genuinely laughs at all her dad's jokes

*she is witty

*she has the cutest freckles

*she loves to play outside

*she is messy

*she looks up to her big sister

*she loves to catch lizards

*she's an animal lover

*she is cheerful
*she is a good girl

*she is usually barefoot

*she is original

*she likes to "collect" junk stuff

*she is artistic

*she is tender hearted

*she cares about others

*she is happy

*she is tall

*she wants to quit piano

*she is a natural leader

*she is funny

*she bites her nails

*she is a good sport

*she loves to swim

*she is sweet

*she is an avid reader

*she likes to scrapbook with her mom

*she is a good friend

*she is patient

*she is a good student

*she is cute

*she is helpful

*she is a tom boy

*she does not like to wear dresses

*she wants to have a houseful of pets when she grows up

*she is eleven years old today!

*she'll always be my baby . . . 

. . . and I'll love her forever and ever!  How did I get so lucky?

Taos . . . Day 3

 For the second day in a row, we . . . 

~ The Groppe's & The Matheny's ~

. . . got up early & headed to the slopes.

 ~ Lauren & Katelyn ~

~ Dave & Lauren ~

The kids & husbands took lessons all day again.  Taylor lucked out & got private lessons that afternoon.  It was at that point that she made huge strides.  She was a natural, & the first out of the "beginners" to get to try the slopes on the big mountain.  She did awesome!

~ Scott (Tay's instructor) & Taylor coming off the big mountain! ~

Me & Laurie . . .

 . . . enjoyed another full day of skiing together, 

as twinners! :)

 ~ Laurie ~

Lauren . . . 

 & Katelyn . . .

. . . were fearless, & FAST!  They too, made huge improvements their second day skiing!  

Taos . . . Day 2

We got up early and headed to Taos Ski Valley.  Laurie and I were the only ones who had ever skied before but it had been 20 years for us both.  So, the first stop was the ski school to sign everyone up for lessons!  

 ~ Gary & Laurie ~

 ~ Taylor & Carter ~

~ Dave ~

 ~ Carter ~

~ Zack, Katelyn, & Laurie ~

Laurie and I took a morning lesson.  

~ Halli, Jordan (our instructor), & Laurie ~

Do you like our matching outfits?  We did not plan that.  It happens all the time.  We shopped separately and both ended up buying the exact same color hat, ski pants, etc.  Someone asked if we were twins!  :)  I guess we think like twins!  Great minds think alike, right?

We spent the rest of the day skiing together . . .

 ~ Halli ~

 ~ Laurie ~

. . . while everyone else spent the day in lessons.  It was so much fun!

~ Taylor, Lauren, Katelyn, Zack, & Carter with their instructor Kent ~

~ Lauren & Carter ~

 ~ Dave ~

 ~ Carter & Dave ~

 ~ Taylor ~

 ~ Lauren ~

~ Katelyn & Lauren ~

It was a great day!