Family Valentine’s Date

Last year we pulled the kids from school to go on a family adventure date on Valentine’s Day. This year due to schedules (ie Joe works and I have MOPS) we went on our family date tonight. One night early.

And despite feeling a little under the weather I survived Peter Piper Pizza with the family. 

Clearly everyone else had a blast! Arcades just aren’t my thing. But I really love my kids and for them I can do it:)

Homework and bedtime AFTER our family date was a painful, painful process. Add into the mix the class valentine cards that needed to be finished and I thought it was going to kill me. I just had to keep reminding myself that we were making memories. Building a family tradition. And one whiney bedtime from the kids was worth it. They are worth it. And gosh I love them! Even when they are pushing me right up the edge. 

Ski Santa Fe!

Joe had an EM conference this weekend in Albuquerque. He was presenting the abstract to his (required) research project. For those that are curious the topic is: the effect cervival collar placement has on the optic nerve sheath diameter. Which can correlate to increased intracranial pressure. Which is bad. But enough about that.

When Joe first heard about this conference he immediately asked me if I would want to join. Not for the conference of course. But for the time away together. Without kids. And skiing. Without a moment of hesitation I said yes! Though I must admit I didn’t know there was skiing in New Mexico. All I have ever seen of the state (driving home from Colorado) was flat and dry. The time away sounded amazing. I was sold. Plus with my parents wintering with us getting away is easier. Built in kid watchers are the best:)

So off we flew last Thursday afternoon. 

Leaving behind sick kid(s). And homework. And housework. And all manner of responsibility. It was glorious. (Also sorry mom and dad) 

Joe spoke. 

And then we explored. 

Most of our time was spent with another resident and attending physician. Plus the attending has a brother that lives here so we met his extended family. Which was a blast. They are an amazing, generous and incredibly hospitable family. They opened their home to us. They fed us. They even loaned us a vehicle for the weekend. And they were such a fun family. It sounds creepy but I loved watching them interact as a family. They have two teenagers who genuinely like spending time with their parents. They joke and have fun. It was refreshing to see. Joe and I both agree that we strive to be that family! 

And then today we drove out to Santa Fe to ski. Just Joe & I. 

The last time we skied was college. Either freshman or sophomore year. Regardless it’s been over a decade. We were both a little nervous. But excited to get out on the slopes. 

We had lots of laughs (at ourselves!) as we geared up and got on the lift for the first time. I definitely read all the signs and warnings. So much to remember. Also I don’t remember ski lifts being so terrifying 15 years ago... 

We made it up and conquered the bunny hill!!! 

So we moved on to bigger and harder runs. 

Not all the runs were open due to lack of snow. It’s been a warm, dry winter in New Mexico unfortunately. So we definitely weren’t “shredding pow” as the locals say. But we had a blast regardless. Like a wise 17 year old once said “skiing is like pizza. Even bad pizza is pizza. It’s just good because it’s pizza”. I completely agree. Even bad skiing is good. It beats no skiing any day! 

Amazingly neither of us wiped out all day! I mean there was that one time Joe “skied” down part of a blue run on his bum (much to the delight of the onlooking lift passengers). Unfortunately I missed that little show as I had passed him and never looked back. Oops. 

We both agree we are going to be sore tomorrow as we used muscles we haven’t used in years. But it was worth it! 

Let’s hope it’s not another 15 years until we make it skiing again!