New Years Ski Trip

 We had the great opportunity to take the kids on a week long ski trip over New Years in the French Alps.  We stayed at an all inclusive hotel that offered half day ski lessons to the kids each day.  It was amazing to see them learning how to ski.  By the end of the week Chris was going up the chair lifts with us and going down the slopes like a pro.  These pictures are totally out of order, but at least I finally got them on the blog.

At the end of their lessons the hotel staff would bring all the kids back to the hotel so we could pick them up for lunch.
I love this picture since it looks like Chris is leading this whole ski team back from the slopes.

Need I say more?

Melissa enjoyed experiencing snow for the first time.

Melissa's not sure about this whole sled thing.

Mike and Kristee hitting the slopes.

Chris heading out to ski for the afternoon.

Rachael loved skiing.  She was so brave to put on the skis and never had a problem with the balance.  However she wasn't so good with steering or braking.  One of us would run or ski along side her to keep her going in the right direction.

Becca getting ready for her morning lesson.

The skis were just as big as Rachael!

Heading up the mountain.

The snowboard champ.

Family picture at the top of the mountain.

The hotel offered day care, so we took advantage of that one morning for Melissa so we could all head out together.

Sipping hot chocolate and enjoying the view.

We took the gondola up to the top of the mountain.
No, we did not ski down!

There was a snow cave carved out at the top of the mountain.  Inside were snow carvings of different people.

A day on the slopes can be quite exhausting.

This guy was on the hotel staff that helped the kids go to and from lessons each day and  put on a children's program at the hotel.  Rachael just loved him.

View from the top of the mountain.

Chris cruising down the slopes.

Rachael practicing her form.

At the end of the week they had an award ceremony and variety show for the kids.  They gave out awards to the babies in the baby club.  Melissa got the "So Cute" award.
I loved the certificate was entirely in French except for were it said "So Cute".

The only way to pass the time when your on the train.