The Wright Mommy: ROAD TRIP TO IDAHO

Wow, with Ryder trying desperately to give up his afternoon nap, I am finding it harder and harder to find time to write!! But I am still here and I am still trying to write....

A few days after returning from Mom's and Christmas part 2, we decided to take a spontaneous road trip down to Idaho to surprise Shane for his 40th birthday! I was nervous about a Winter road trip as I know the roads can be sketchy and with two little ones, I hate to take crazy driving risks, but the weather was supposed to be good, so we decided to just go for it. The biggest challenge of the road trip (as long as the roads were safe) was going to be Payton. She is NOT a good traveler...yet! She loves to sit in her car seat and scream and cry and wail until finally the driver pulls over. As soon as we slide open the van door on her side, she looks up at us and smiles and giggles and coos....!!! Sooo frustrating! But if you've ever been in a car with a screaming baby, it is sooo heart breaking. You can only ignore it so long before your nerves are frayed!!! We did make it to Fernie (three hours from our house) with only one LONG hour of crying and screaming! We had arranged to stay on the ski hill and the place was perfect. We were hoping to get Ryder on the slopes the next day. By slopes, I mean on the magic carpet on the Bunny hill, for at least a few minutes. At this point, we just want to keep his skiing experiences positive.
There was soooo much snow! Perfect powder and perfect conditions for keeping a speed demon of a two year old slower and offering him a soft landing for his falls.

We actually started him on a little slope right outside our condo doors.

Gearing up...

We can't convince him to wear his goggles on his face yet....

Excited to get going "fast!"

Daddy and Ryder

Marty would run beside him and try to get in front of him to catch him at the bottom of the small slope

Ryder's private "magic carpet." LOL

Eventually, we figured we should try a "real" hill and a "real" magic carpet. It was free for Ryder to practice here and free for Marty and I to be there in our boots helping him.

We talked to Ryder about making a "pizza" with his skiis and we could see him trying, but his muscles would get tired and eventually he'd just quit trying to "pizza" and go straight down, which he LOVED! He'd get mad at Marty for stopping him! His balance is awesome! Soon enough he'll learn to get control...I hope. :)

Payton is always an adorable cheer leader. She is such a great sport!

Staying in a condo on the hill was fantastic, but I'm not going to lie, sleeping was...challenging! At least getting the kids to FALL asleep was challenging. They were so excited, especially Ryder to all be sleeping in the same room. Actually getting him to sleep involved a lot of Marty and I sitting quietly in the dark, hoping Ryder would go to sleep!! LOL Eventually, Marty had to go sit in the lobby and I had to have a nice long shower to give Ryder enough "alone" time so he could actually fall asleep.

After two nights on the hill, we continued on towards Idaho, towards Aimee's house!

Ryder was sooo excited to see Max. The boys spent the afternoon running around, yelling, playing, arguing, laughing, and doing what little boys do! We all had so much fun watching them!!

Shane didn't know we were coming, so we got to surprise him when he came home from work! He walked into his house on his birthday weekend to be greeted by a bunch of Canadians!!

Saturday morning, Marty took Shane out skiing for the day, for his birthday, while Aimee and I spent the day hanging with the kids! It was sooo awesome to be with the boys, the lil girls and my sister. It had been way to long since we'd seen each other. We made a lot of memories over the couple of days we spent in Idaho. I am so happy they have moved closer to us! Here's to alot more memories guys!!

Shane and the girls!