Each year we try to do something together as a family. This year, like last year, we decided to go to Big White for all the fun you can have on a Canadian family holiday in the snow. However this holiday had a few unexpected twists which did not include broken bones thank heaven.
The first night Shane and I went up with Celia, James and the boys. We settled in easily to the condo we are now all familiar with. Had a nice relaxing evening .... boys played in the big bath with lots of bubbles .... then we all went down for what we hoped would be a good night's rest. Caden, however, had other plans. After a terrible night Celia bundled him up and drove him to the doctor only to find out he had the croup. Not a great start.  
That didn't stop the rest of us. I drove Asher to his gymnastics class and the two of us returned to the condo with a brand new snow glider determined to make the best of it. 
James, Asher and Grandaddy took off skiing with Asher promptly proving that he no longer needed a 'leash'. At four years old he was barreling down the hill and, by the end of the week, he certainly gave his poor old Grandmama a run for her money. 
Big White is a great family oriented ski hill.... whether you ski or not there is always something to see or do. Though there is ice skating and tubing and ice climbing and snow shoeing and even sleigh rides.... we really just stayed together and had a good old fashioned fun family time.  
Celia and Caden rejoined us on Friday and by then we had Niki, Todd and Joe with us as well (Jeanne came up on Sunday for the day). Niki brought up her Wii game. I gotta tell you that a four year old can be a pretty good bowler on that game, at least better than me. He even figured out how to golf with the wii. So, after a long day of skiing you could find the family either eating or wiiing (?) or sitting in the hot tub. A few evenings we walked to the village, one night taking in the Kid's Fun Night at the main chalet. 
Caden never stopped even though he didn't feel well. At 16 months old he is indeed a going concern! I was hoping he would get a chance to strap some skis on but maybe next year. He did go sliding in the new glider with his Daddy. Asher and Grandaddy and I all took a run on that slippery dish.... with no broken bones or scrapes!  
We had beautiful weather, almost spring like conditions in January.  
The times we spend together are priceless.... like watching Asher and Caden interact with their 'grown up' cousin Joe.... or working together when it's our turn to make a meal.... or Auntie Niki making a gingerbread house with Asher and Caden eating the 'decorations' as fast as they could. Or Caden 'helping' empty the dishwasher (and any cupboard he could find).... sitting quietly on the couch reading a book or watching a video of Asher skiing down the hill. All of these moments seem ordinary but they are far from it. Though our holiday was a little more low key it was, indeed, extraordinary.
Looking forward to next year.... hopefully Carissa can make the next one.