Throwback Thursday #45: Family Ski Trip

"A happy family is an earlier heaven." ~George Bernard Shaw

Five years ago we started our Family Ski Trip with 6 people. My brother, Quiet Cousin, Cousin Whitney, family friend JV, my brother's then-girlfriend, and me. Over the years, we have added lots of people to the event, both "blood family" and "ski trip family." (We've also added and then lost a few ex's from the group.....their loss if you ask me!)

What has always sort of amazed me is that this hodge-podge of random people who really don't have a whole lot in common, beyond loving to go on the ski trip every year, have become a sort of family. A lot of us only see each other once a year when we hit the slopes, but everyone always picks up where they left off the year before. I'm blessed in my life to have great blood family and great other families as well. The Ski Trip Family is one of those other ones that I treasure.

Because this year marked the 5th Annual Family Ski Trip. I thought it only appropriate to look back at the prior years. Here is a look back at the Family Ski Trips of old....

First Annual Ski Trip - Santa Fe

Like I said above, the first year was just us kids, and we taught Cousin Whitney, Quiet Cousin and Little Brother's ex girlfriend to ski all without killing each other. Victory! I had forgotten until I looked through the pictures that the weekend started out with a covert surprise birthday party for JV. Lots of fun!

Second Annual Ski Trip - Red River

This was the first year that the older generation ("Los Viejos") and my friend Captain (you'll be able to see him from now on in hunter orange) joined in on the trip! It was also our first year to stay right at the base of the lift--something that we have done every year since!

Third Annual Ski Trip - Angel Fire

Well if this year didn't put an end to Family Ski Trip, nothing will. There was my dad's job not letting him go, a speeding ticket, a car accident, a near-concussion, and then an ambulance trip for Cookie to the hospital after he dislocated his shoulder. (Mind you, it was his first time to go AND he was the only person not skiing...) We have vowed never to go to Angel Fire again!

Fourth Annual Ski Trip - Red River

After the disaster that was year 3, we were glad to report no tickets or ambulances! Just a lot of fun. This was the first time we scheduled the trip over New Year's weekend and I think everyone enjoyed it! We added Cousin Window Washer and his son, Cousin Rock Star, to the group. And, I am glad to report that Cookie's wife allowed him to return despite the prior year's injury! Good thing, because this was the year that Cookie introduced us to the delicacy of "hoe cakes."

Fifth Annual Ski Trip - Red River

This year the fun continued over New Year's weekend. We added a new ski trip family member to the group...Welder's Nephew....who was a friend of mine and Captain's at Oklahoma State. If you ask me, there is not a better way to ring in the year!

Here's to the next 5 years of Family Ski Trip!