Skiing at West Castle!

Last Wednesday the kids didn't have school. So I decided ahead of time that we were going to go skiing. Richard couldn't, because he's been super busy with work. But that didn't slow me down. Ha ha! I called my SIL, Lisa to see if she wanted to come with her son, Seth. So we made plans to go.

We decided ahead of time that we were just going to do a half day of skiing. So I was able to get the house clean and kids ready and away we went to Cardston. DJ decided he wanted to stay with his Grandma Spencer and his other cousins. That was fine by me. So we got there and took off 30 mins later with Seth and Lisa. There was a snow fall warning out, but it was just beginning to snow. So I wasn't too worried. We got to Pincher Creek and we stopped for lunch quickly. Then headed up the mountain.

We got there and went and got our rentals and away we went. Looking back, I think I was a bit too ambitious!! Oh well! Anyways, we got to the bunny hill and the tiny one wasn't operating right then. So We decided to go up the chair lift. The only problem was it was a 2 person lift. Yup and I have 3 girls......do the math! Ha ha! Then Lisa and Seth ran into a problem and had to run back to the rental shop. So me and my girls decided to go up once by our selves.

I took Cadence with me and had Brianna and Abbi right behind me. I told them that they could do it. I told the operator that they have never gone by themselves before. He was good and slowed it down for them. They were 2 chairs behind us. They weren't fast enough to get on the chair right behind us. That's ok because Cadence and I got off and told the operator up there to slow it down for the next chair. He did, but my 2 girls must of talked to each other all the way up and freaked each other out. Because as they were coming off the chair they were both hugging each other. It was the funniest thing I've seen. So cute. I wish I had my camera out ready to take a picture. Not sure what I was thinking. So funny! So they went crashing down. They were sprawled out everywhere and both started crying a little bit. They had to stop the chair lift so I could get them both up and out of the way.

I told them that it was ok, everyone falls. I've fallen many times. They weren't hurt, just a little scared. I told them they could do it. I took Cadence and put her between my skis and told the other two to just follow my tracks. I would go across to the trees. I kept saying, go across, not straight down. I must of said that so many times. So away Cadence and I went. We stopped at the trees and turned around just in time to see Brianna whip by us.....going straight down the hill. Oh my! I started screaming, "SIT DOWN, SIT DOWN.....TURN, TURN". She was sitting down but still flying. She finally stopped half way down the hill. Cadence and I giggled a little because it looked pretty funny to see her flying down on her bum!! Ha ha! So she was down there crying, and I looked up the hill to see Abbi standing there crying. Then she fell over and couldn't get back up. I was trying to talk to her, but she kept crying and couldn't get up. A nice lady came over and help her up and pointed her to me. I caught her, but then her and I kept going down the hill. I yelled at Cadence not to move! Yup, it was a bit of a gong show! We made it to Brianna, who I helped up and told her she did awesome! Then I hiked back up to Cadence after telling the other two not to move. Cadence and I came down to find Abbi skiing down the hill. She realized she knew what to do and away she went. Crazy girl!

I put Brianna and Cadence on either side of me and put my poles across so they could both hang on and we skied down together. We made it to the bottom to find Lisa and Seth waiting for us. We all had a good laugh when I told them what happened. By then they had the little bunny hill running. So all the kids did that a few times. They felt good about it and we decided to go back up.

Brianna and Abbi coming down the tiny bunny hill. Cadence in the back ground, coming down.

All 3 of the girls coming down. Brianna leading the pack!!

So away we went. This time Abbi was asked by a girl if she could ski with her. Abbi was excited to do that. So Brianna went up the lift with another girl, just behind Cadence and I. They both got off the lifts so good!! Ha ha, they weren't hugging anyone! Ha ha!

We had fun just going up and down that bunny hill. The kids thought it was great. By the end of the day Cadence was getting comfortable enough to do the last 3/4 of the hill by herself. The first part is just too steep for her. It kind of freaks her out! I was proud of her!!

Cute Cadence with her helmet on funny!

Cadence and I ready to go down the hill!

Then there was Abbi. She was my little dare devil. Her and Seth would just take off and try to go down the steepest part they could find! We would usually see them flying down and sometimes even crashing, as we were going up on the chair lift. Cadence thought that was hilarious!

Abbi going down the hill as we were going up the chair lift!

Brianna stuck right with her Aunt Lisa. They did awesome together. Lisa had Brianna turning back and forth so she didn't have to snow plow all the way down. Brianna likes to be in control and didn't like the feeling of flying down the hill. But she skied it all by herself! She did awesome!

Brianna with her Aunt Lisa going up the chair lift!

Lisa and Brianna just getting off the chair lift!

We were all able to do the last few runs together. We met at the bottom of the hill and all went up. It was so much fun! I was doubting myself in the first five minutes, but then it all worked out! Everyone was super happy! We did our last run and then they shut down the chair lift!

Here's our group, minus me! We had so much fun!

Me and my girls just after our last run! So glad we decided to go!

So we all headed over to the lodge. We all stayed on the hill the whole afternoon. We put all our skis together and went in to warm up and have a little snack. I promised the girls a hot chocolate. Wouldn't you know that they ran out. Luckily, Lisa brought her own and we went and got hot water. So my girls were super happy with their hot chocolate!

Seth and Abbi having a snack and hot chocolate!

Brianna and Cadence enjoying their hot chocolate. This is how Cadence poses for me!!

We then, took all our rentals back and got ready to go. The drive home was a little crazy. It had snowed most of the day. We got into Pincher Creek and stopped to get the kids some donuts. Then we kept on going. It was getting dark and the visibility wasn't that great. So we weren't going very fast. We made it to Cardston. By then it was 6:00pm. We haven't had any supper. So I ordered a pizza and went and got that. I knew the drive home wasn't going to be great either and I really didn't feel  like dealing with crying, hungry kids and the roads. So I fed them and then we came on home. It was snowing hard outside. I had put a movie on, but then I heard Abbi say, "Mom are we going to crash." Well that got DJ really nervous. I told her no, but I needed to concentrate on the road. About 5 minutes later DJ asked me for a drink. Abbi said quickly, "Mom don't worry about it I will help DJ, you just drive." Ha ha! I think she was nervous! We made it home safe and sound. It was a fun day!