We loaded up the boys and my parents last week for a ski trip to Ruidoso, New Mexico. The rationale: Ruidoso typically has great snow and it was the easiest skiing we could get to by car with two little boys. We should have known...John and I are infamous for bringing heat waves to our vacation locales. There was the Boston Heat Wave of 2006 and No Snow Colorado 1999, etc... Despite our plans to ski and play in the snow, Ruidoso has not had snow since the first week of February and it was as warm there as it was at home. It was a bit like skiing on ice cubes, but Reagan didn't know the difference and didn't seem to mind. Ryan stayed back with the grandparents and took nature walks and gondola rides. We ate lots of good food, managed to do some relaxing and took plenty of pictures. Good times!
Even if he doesn't take to the skiing, he certainly looks the part!
Only 20% of the mountain was open - you should not be able to see the brown ground there!
The biggest challenge was just getting Reagan through the ski lift line. Without poles to help him push and balance, he was dependent upon John and myself to shove him and hope he didn't fall before we caught up to him. Once we'd get to the chair, he did great. I was much more nervous than he was. I kept telling him, "Sit back! Don't lean forward!!" :)
John and I took the same picture probably 13 years ago. I'd do a side-by-side, but that would just be too depressing.
Taking a gondola ride.
Again my fear of heights left me yelling at my kids not to get close to the edge.
Right after this I took the boys to the restroom. They had these environmentally friendly potties that did not flush, but were like a bottomless hole. When I leaned over to help Ryan, my new sunglasses fell and fell and fell down said pit. NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You might be asking - if it wasn't a bottomless pit, would she have gone after the glasses? Ummm...NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
John was brave and skied down, but the littles and I and took the easy route.
All over Ruidoso, they had these tree carvings. Most were of bears, but this was a giant vegetable. So corny.
Enjoying some pizza at Casa Rio. I know, the name doesn't seem to fit, but the pizza was d-lish.
I felt like I was the only person who hadn't had their picture taken in front of a bear. So, here is me reenacting the final scene from
Legends of the Fall. "It was a good death."
We taught Ryan how to play Farkle.
Blowing on the dice.
Ryan's poker face.
The last day we tried snow tubing at Winter Park. The lack of snow made dragging the tubes a lot of work. I didn't expect to sweat in New Mexico.
Reagan working to keep his balance on the ramp.
Ryan was like an old pro. Guess it helps when your center of gravity is 10 inches from the ground!
Ryan didn't quite get the concept here.
John and Ryan waiting in line. Reagan and I were headed up to the big slope.
Alien sighting in Roswell, NM. Guess I never imagined extraterrestrials to be so fit. Check out his killer abs.
This is how we all felt on the way back.
Even if he doesn't take to the skiing, he certainly looks the part!
Only 20% of the mountain was open - you should not be able to see the brown ground there!
The biggest challenge was just getting Reagan through the ski lift line. Without poles to help him push and balance, he was dependent upon John and myself to shove him and hope he didn't fall before we caught up to him. Once we'd get to the chair, he did great. I was much more nervous than he was. I kept telling him, "Sit back! Don't lean forward!!" :)
John and I took the same picture probably 13 years ago. I'd do a side-by-side, but that would just be too depressing.
Taking a gondola ride.
Again my fear of heights left me yelling at my kids not to get close to the edge. 
Right after this I took the boys to the restroom. They had these environmentally friendly potties that did not flush, but were like a bottomless hole. When I leaned over to help Ryan, my new sunglasses fell and fell and fell down said pit. NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You might be asking - if it wasn't a bottomless pit, would she have gone after the glasses? Ummm...NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! 
John was brave and skied down, but the littles and I and took the easy route. 
All over Ruidoso, they had these tree carvings. Most were of bears, but this was a giant vegetable. So corny.
Enjoying some pizza at Casa Rio. I know, the name doesn't seem to fit, but the pizza was d-lish.
I felt like I was the only person who hadn't had their picture taken in front of a bear. So, here is me reenacting the final scene from Legends of the Fall. "It was a good death." 
We taught Ryan how to play Farkle. 
Blowing on the dice.
Ryan's poker face.
The last day we tried snow tubing at Winter Park. The lack of snow made dragging the tubes a lot of work. I didn't expect to sweat in New Mexico.
Ryan was like an old pro. Guess it helps when your center of gravity is 10 inches from the ground! 
Ryan didn't quite get the concept here. 
John and Ryan waiting in line. Reagan and I were headed up to the big slope.
Alien sighting in Roswell, NM. Guess I never imagined extraterrestrials to be so fit. Check out his killer abs. 
This is how we all felt on the way back.
We introduced Reagan to the goodness that is Chipolte. He was more impressed that there was a train right outside the window. 
Chipolt-Yea! (Love this double chin look I am working.)
Is that Mark Cuban??
Dirk and his Dad.
Check out Reagn in the background. That can't be comfortble.
Ryan is only sporting one glove. We didn't find the other until the snow melted and the mud dried a week later. Having one frozen hand didn't seem to faze him.
Christmas morning - the boys broke out their new John Deere Gator, even though it was crazy cold outside. 
Reagan (and John) got a large 1,000,000+ piece Lego airport set. This is when I am glad to be the only girl in a house of boys. 
I was playing with my new camera and took this National Geographic-esque pic of Foster Kitty. My first attempt at mega zoom. Worked pretty well -I was actually two miles away. : )
Ryan's new danger of choice: the plasma car at Mach 3 speed.
New Year's Eve - After watching a fireworks display down the street that rivaled Disney World's, we came home to do our own show. Ryan was a big fan of the Roman Candle. Shocking.
Our neighbor Chris was wherever the firecrackers were. He'd hear a pop, and out of his house he'd come running. 
Yo. Happy New Year. Reagan was so determined to make it until midnight this year.
The both made it until 11:30p.m. Maybe next year, party animals.