This weekend we took the family to Utah for skiing. We make sure the kids get to ski at least once a year -- and usually it is just that, once a year. When telling others about an upcoming ski trip inevitably I get the question, "do you ski?"
My answer: "No. I just sit in the lodge, help with wet/tired kids, or I walk outside to watch Scott and the kids come down the slope."
I did try skiing once. Let me tell you about it.
In 2001 we were visiting Scott's parents in Idaho for Christmas, I believe. His brother Kevin and wife Lisa were also there. The boys wanted to go skiing, but neither Lisa nor I had ever been. They convinced us that this was a perfect opportunity to try it out.
So Dennis (my father-in-law), Scott, Kevin, Lisa and I packed up in the suburban and headed up to Pomerelle for a day of skiing. The photo above was taken in the parking lot after we arrived and got geared up. The boys checked us girls into a ski lesson for the day and off they went to have some fun.
(I was recently telling this story to Anna and she said, "They have ski lessons for grown-ups?" Yep.)
I believe that Lisa and I were the only two people in the ski class that day. Which was great. We had some good individualized attention from the ski instructor. We learned how to make a "pizza", how to walk in skis, and I learned that the poles are really of no use and the boots really hurt. Then over and over again we held onto the tow rope as it pulled us to the top of the bunny hill and we tested our new skills as we glided down.
It was somewhat doable. But a little nerve-wracking for this girl who does not necessarily do adventure sports.
At lunchtime the boys found us and they decided that we needed to try the real mountain. Of course they would be right at our sides to help us all along the way. Right?
Up we went on the chair lift. When we got to the top I was surprised to learn that the ski run wasn't just right there. We had to walk (or in my case, shimmy) over to the run. I was not so great at walking in the skis so it was a real challenge and I was nearly frustrated before we even began.
Once we got to the top of the run I looked down and thought, what have I got myself into. Even though it was the easiest rated slop on the hill it just looked scary! Scott coaxed me to follow him (which sounded crazy -- what if I fall and you don't even know because I'm in your snow dust and I'm stuck and I can't get up?!). Somehow he finally convinced me to go. I guess because it was my only option.
As so we began. As you can imagine there was a lot of falling. I couldn't get myself to stand back up. Then I couldn't figure out how to steer. I couldn't slow myself down. I'm sure I ran into 1 or 2 people, yelling the whole time "watch out!" because any attempts to change direction on my part was useless. When we got to the bottom of the slope, even though we were on level-ish ground, I still couldn't stop and ended up running into the orange fence netting by the chair lift. And falling. Of course there was a line of people there to watch it all.
Scott, even though seeing my struggle down the hill, was still optimistic. Want to go down again?
Ha. Ha-ha. Ha-ha-ha ha. No.
Scott, "But everyone falls and has a hard time their first day skiing."
I'm sure they do. I basically told him that I could not see myself enjoying this. It was not fun. And more-so I did not like the speed combined with feeling out of control. He conceded that yes, that is a part of skiing (but he likes that feeling).
And then I saw all the hopes & dreams of "having a family that skis" fade from his eyes. He was seriously disappointed that I was not into it. I apologized, but there really wasn't anything else I could do. I gave it a shot and I really did not like it. Terror does not equal fun for me.
I tried to reassure him that there were plenty of other things our family could do or that our family could "be". And we had plenty of years ahead of us to discover just what.
We went back home and for the next 2 days I couldn't walk.
Over the years Scott has taken it upon himself to get the kids into skiing -- beginning at age 5-ish he placed them in a full-day lesson, and then somewhere around age 8 they start on the slopes. And I come along as the helper. I hang out in the lodge. I take care of kids who are wet, tired, or need to use the bathroom. I spend the day walking back and forth to check on whichever child is in ski lessons. I usually bring a book, but not much reading happens. And somewhere in there I drink a hot chocolate or two.
So even though I don't get on the slopes, we are still a skiing family.
In conjunction with Story Sunday I plan to share one idea, resource, or bit of inspiration to assist others with sharing & recording their story.
RootsTech is a family history and technology conference that was held in Salt Lake City last week. "RootsTech is a unique conference to help you discover and share your family stories and connections."
When I first heard about this conference my heart jumped. It fits my one little word - story - perfectly! I would have loved to have attended, but we were going to be in Utah one week too late. :(
But, I learned that now you can access many of the keynote addresses and class presentations through videos online! Sweet!
Check out the videos HERE
The opening keynote was given by Ree Drummond, aka The Pioneer Woman. And the Saturday keynote was given by Stephanie Nielson of the NieNie Dialogues. She blogs about her experience HERE.
What a great line-up! I haven't watched any of the videos yet, but I plan to very soon.
On Saturday of the conference they held a free Family Discovery Day for families to come take classes and explore the exhibit hall. In a keynote titled "Find Your Cousins", by Neil L. Andersen he talked to youth about the exciting role that they can have in discovering their own family history. I think that is awesome that it can become a family project.
If you want to know why we (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) care about Family History go HERE.