A few months ago my dad started putting together a trip to Big White for a couple of days. Just one mention to me and I was all in! I couldn't ski last season since I was pregnant.
My mom, Broden and I drove to Moses Lake on Tuesday. We stopped in Tri-cities so that Melanie Bushman could do my mom's hair. I am grateful for the chance to get caught up with Melanie. We didn't know it at the time but my mom had a horrible reaction to the chemicals and her face swelled until she was unrecognizable.
Wednesday I was able to go to my dad's work at lunch time. We did a real results party and I was able to get to know many of the wonderful women he works with. I also was able to chat with Kim Lowe (his son is a pilot for Skywest too) and Frank. Frank was the flight instructor at Big Bend when I was deciding if I wanted to fly. From there I stopped at Big Bend. I was able to see, Irene Osumi, the dispatcher. I love her. One of the first things she said was that we are cousins (because Kelsie married Jon Edwards and Jon is related to her.) I also saw Mr Gillespie. He mentioned when they use to make me sing the star spangled banner in ground school (I don't remember this at all but it wouldn't surprise me if it were true...further evidence that I really need to keep a journal.) Mr Hammer retired but he was there that day too. I was also able to catch up with Mr Swedburg. His daughter-in-law ,Erica, was one of my instructors too. She is pregnant and in the hospital. I would have never known if I didn't stop in. Later, Jeff and Becky stopped in at my grandma's to have dinner. Love them! I have the best aunts and uncles. Grandma's cooking is always delicious and it's always enjoyable catching up with her.
Thursday morning we drove to Kelowna. Corbin and Kelsie joined Dad, Mom, Broden and me. Broden did really well considering that he thinks his car seat is a torture chamber. I love that Corbin is always up for a good conversation. We started talking about Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21. If I envision what I see for my life, how do I figure out the law I need to be living attached to the blessings I want to receive? Some are difficult to answer. Brandon flew from Boise to Kelowna and we picked him up at the airport. We ate dinner at Earls. Earls is a tradition. We frequently stopped there on our way to Big White throughout the years. It has changed so much. You use to be able to buy cheesy t-shirts, sweatshirts and hats. It was pretty causal. Now, all the servers are dressed in black. They went upscale on us. More expensive too. I had a delicious salad but, as I told my family, I was only slightly less hungry than when I went in. We did some shopping for food too. It is amazing the items you can't find in a Canadian grocery store!
Chad Walters and his kids (Ethan and Presley) joined us at Big White. I haven't seen Chad forever. With some people it doesn't matter how long it's been since you've seen them or talked with them, they will always feel like family. I love Chad and really all the Walters. It was so much fun skiing, talking, eating and hot tubing. We also had a fun night skiing adventure/hike. His kids wanted to night ski so Brandon and I went out with the three of them. Brandon tried skiing for the first time and did really well. Unfortunately when we arrived at the bottom of the run, we learned that night skiing was closed. Instead of letting us take the chair back up, we had to hike to our condo. Poor Chad was carrying most of his kids equipment.
Brandon has a little bit of bad luck where Big White is concerned. He has been sick two of the three times he's been there. He was really sick again this go round. He stayed with Broden both afternoons. My mom and Kelsie each took a turn with Broden too.
I saw so many little kids cruising down the mountain. It made me so excited to ski with Broden. I really missed my siblings that weren't there. I can't go to Big White without thinking of them.
We missed the flight from Kelowna Sunday morning. We ended up driving to Moses Lake, dropping Corb and Kelsie at their car and then driving to Spokane to catch a flight there.
Another unforgettable Big White experience!
1 comment:
I love it when you blog.
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