After Christmas Snow Trip

We took our 3rd annual "Bennett/Benner/Candlish After Christmas Snow Trip" again this year - our destination... LAKE TAHOE!

Two days after Christmas we packed up everything that would fit into our airline baggage allowance and headed to the airport. The flight up was quick and painless and all in all we had a wonderful trip - lots of laughs and TONS of snow. Please note - if you ever take a winter trip to Tahoe do NOT, I repeat DO NOT rent a Chevy Malibu. :-) That's OK Dad....

• Highlights of the trip for Mommy: Playing in the snow with Ruby, dinner and "Wet Woody's" at Garwoods, watching Chris build Ruby a 5 foot tall snowman from the comfort of our heated cabin, seeing Ruby fall in love (again) with her Uncle Josh and "Lulu", our trip to the Hyatt, the morning Ruby slept until 9, and my cookie from the Truckee bakery (thanks Dad).
• Highlights of the trip for Daddy: Skiing Homewood in amazing conditions, taking Ruby sledding, building a snow cave with Josh and Louisa, sitting around the nightly fires, talking business with the boys, and hitch hiking mid snow storm back to the cabin with a 12 pack of Corona because the Malibu wouldn't make it back to the cabin.
• Highlights of the trip for Rubes: Playing in the snow (until her hands were cold), looking at pictures of "the baby" on our new iPad, having so many people under one roof ready to play, singing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat", reading the tickle monster with Nana, coloring in her Sesame Street coloring book, and running around the Sacramento Walmart.

I told you we got tons of snow! It was seriously a winter wonderland. Thankfully we flew in the day before the storm hit which was a huge blessing - Josh and Louisa were not as lucky. They drove in the day the storm arrive and unfortunately they dealt with some crazy driving conditions, road closures, the need to put on chains in the snow, and getting lost. I think it was quite the bonding experience. They finally arrived (safely) 11 hours after they left from the bay area - WHEW!

Watching the snow fall with Daddy

Tasting snow with Mommy

Playing on the deck in the snow. Thanks for making this a play area Nana!

Digging with kitchen utensils

On the Hyatt grounds - a gorgeous day.

Yes, crazy Chris has on shorts in 30 degree weather.

Wet Woody's & Golden Eagles - two of Tahoe's finest drink options.

Thank you for a fun trip Nana & Papa!

So glad you joined us this year Lulu & Joshie. We LOVED having you up there!

The 2010 Crew - Fun times!

And finally, here are a few shots from the last moments of our trip. Our flight home was slightly delayed so in order to entertain our eager to get home 19 month old we resorted to sugar and wild rides in wheel chairs. Hey, you do what you gotta do! Thank goodness it was New Years Eve and our flight was as empty as I've ever seen a plane because we had a VERY tired & sugar detoxing toddler on our hands for the flight home. It wasn't pretty folks. Mama had a stiff drink upon arrival at home and decided to ring in the new year by going to sleep at 10:30.