Anyway....on to the recap!
For Christmas this year we were blessed to go on a Ski Trip with Graham's extended family. All of his Aunts, Uncles, and cousins from his Dad's side of the family were there. It was so much fun and definitely not long enough. (That side of the family all live in San Antonio so we don't get to see them super often.) We made the drive out with us, Graham's parents, and his sister's family (husband and son) in one day (it was like a 12 hour drive I think? I honestly can't even remember). It was a long day (Dec 22), and started snowing at the end of the day which only made the drive last longer as the roads started to get icy. We made it to Taos all in one piece though!
We stayed in 3 cabins that were on the same piece of property. The main one had 3 bedrooms in addition to a loft, large kitchen, and living room. The one Graham and I stayed in had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a small kitchen and living room, and a loft area. We were in one room and his sister's family was in the other room. The 3rd cabin had just one room with a kitchen and living room, and a hot tub outside the door. There was another, larger hot tub, between the other two cabins.
The first real day that we were there (Dec 23), Graham went skiing (along with most everyone else). I stayed behind at the cabin that day with Evie while everyone else either went skiing or went up to the slopes to hangout, because one of my very best friends lives in NM only a couple hours away from where we were staying, and I had the opportunity to see her! We hung out during the day, and then went out to dinner that night in Taos. I hadn't seen her since our wedding, so it was great to be able to catch up with her and to meet her boyfriend, Matthew. Graham had a great day skiing and had his share of falls (one of which gave him a nasty bruise on this thigh). He couldn't wait to get back out the next day and ski more.
On Thursday (Dec 24), I went skiing along with Graham and our brother-in-law, Korey. We got to the slopes as they were opening and got suited up in our boots. This was my first time to ever go skiing, and I was excited but nervous. (Especially since everyone else had gone the previous day.) Graham taught me the ropes briefly, we did the bunny slope twice, and then were off to do a green. I fell and got stuck and any time I got going fast I would freak out (and then fall again). I had a terrible morning. If you would have asked me at lunch I would have told you that there was NO WAY that I would ever go skiing again. After that run I went inside to warm up and let the guys go do a blue. I met up with Graham's cousins Kelcey and Hanna and when the guys got back, we all had lunch together. I was feeling much better after having been warmed up. In the afternoon I was able to hang out on the bunny slopes with some of Graham's cousins (Sophia and Emily) and then I mustered up my courage to try a green one more time at the end of the day. I went with Graham's Aunt Ellen and cousin Taylor. I had a much better experience that time around, and even though I still had several falls, I actually had a fun time! At the end of the run, our route met up with the run that Graham, his Uncle Chris, and Korey were on. We were able to finish the run together, and I enjoyed being able to show Graham that I hadn't given up entirely on skiing ;)
That night we had a fantastic dinner. The tradition for their family is to have Mexican food on Christmas Eve and it was delicious! I ate way too much, but I just couldn't help it. That night we also opened up the gifts from Graham's Aunt Melissa and Uncle Chris (her family's tradition is to open gifts on Christmas Eve, so we were able to open their gift that night). Part of the gift was "Reindeer Food." We took Evie outside to sprinkle it on the snow and she grabbed a big handful and ate it. (It was oatmeal with red and green sprinkles.) Heh. Melissa also surprised us by getting us all matching pjs! She had told us all to bring a red shirt for a family photo, and then we were able to wear the pjs in the picture as well. I was feeling tired later that evening so I sat on the couch and watched as some of the family sang Christmas carols. Then we played some games before heading off to bed.
We had a big dinner that night with turkey, ham, and all the fixings. Another great meal. (You can tell what wins me over! Haha) I think it was that night that we played Bean-Boozled. It was hilarious! If you haven't played the game before, it is basically a bunch of jelly beans of various colors. You spin the spinner to determine what color you'll eat. The catch: there are two flavors for every color, one that is good (like pear or blueberry) and one that is bad (like vomit or skunk), so when you grab your jelly bean, you know you are getting one of two things, but you don't know which until you try it!
We really did have an amazing trip and loved our time with family to celebrate Christmas. Graham seriously wants to go out skiing again now.
This week my scripture is from The Book of Mormon, Alma 57:21 "Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them."
Love you all!
xoxo, Marissa
