Ski School - End of 4th Year

I really wish these pictures were better quality....but hey, you get what you get when you aren't there to get your own pictures. ;)  This last Sunday was Carter's last day of his fourth year of ski lessons. He totally rocked this year, and definitely learned a bunch of new things. I'm sure he's excited to get back up there on his own (with Eric) to put into practice all of the things he has learned. Great job this year, Carter!!

Weekend Update

What a crazy busy weekend! I took off a little early on Friday, and it was literally non-stop the entire weekend.

Sunday was Carter's ski lessons and my turn to take him up to Bogus. I hate that drive. Kendall stayed with my parents, so I took Carter to get his gear, lift ticket, and up the mountain. It was rainy the entire time, and everyone who came trekking into the lodge was totally drenched. I felt so bad for Carter!

But he wanted to get back out and go on his own runs.....definitely a time I wish I knew how to ski, or that Matt had brought his gear. But with the conditions the way they were, nobody wanted to be drenched any longer than they had to. We cranked the heat on the drive home, for sure!

Carter's Ski Lessons: Year Three

For Christmas, Eric's mom signed Carter up for his third year of ski school. Though we had some good snow early in the winter, there hasn't been anything recently to make for great skiing conditions. Carter was sick for last week's lesson, though he still went and tried his best. Yesterday was the last day of lessons for this year. His teacher filled out such a great report card for Carter. He said Carter was an aggressive, talented skier. So proud of my little guy!

I didn't get to go up for his last day this year, as I have done the past two years, for two reasons:  we started a trial today and there was no way in hell I could have left work for half a day yesterday; Carter is advanced enough now that he doesn't go on the bunny hill at all, which is primarily where I got all of my prior pictures. I can't exactly follow the class up the lifts and onto the bigger runs in my snow boots. So, I had to live with the pictures Eric took from his phone.

For those wondering what it looks like above this stupid inversion, here are some shots from Bogus Basin Road.

More snow pictures will be coming soon. With the big changes going on in our lives, I decided to take the kids up to the cabin soon for a grand sledding adventure!

Carter's Ski Lessons: Second Year, Week Four

Monday was the last day of lessons for Carter this year. He did great, and then Eric took him on an intermediate run. Eric said he did really well, though his legs were "burning". Eric explained to him that the only way to the truck was to ski the rest of the way down the mountain. Now that lessons are done for the year, I think Eric is going to take him up a few more times and focus more on those intermediate runs. Carter did just fine on them - the only difference being they are a little bit longer and a little more steep. But it's nothing Carter can't handle.

 

I'm so proud of him for completing another year - skiing is definitely something he enjoys!

Carter's Ski Lessons - Second Year, Week Three

Today was Carter's third lesson this year. Since I had the day off, I decided to join the boys up on the mountain for a day in the snow. It was windy and pretty damn cold. I stayed in the lodge, got myself a warm window seat, and read a book while Carter had class. Eric went on more advanced runs, and then when class was over, we took Carter on more runs so I could grab some pictures and video. 

 

Getting ready in the rental shop. Someone forgot his coat, so we had to rent him a coat for the day. Good thing they have that service!

 

 

 

My handsome guys!

 

 

 Getting on the small chairlift.

 

 

 

 Hey mom!

 

 

 This run is just on the bunny hill, but in Carter's class, they are going on other, more advanced runs. But for the sake of grabbing some pictures, the bunny hill is definitely easier for me to get into position without getting mowed over.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Carter does this exact thing on his bike - which results in wrecks. Look FORWARD buddy!

 Guess the kid can do the splits.

 

 

 

 

 I also grabbed this picture on the way home. Not the best, lots of noise. But there was a ton of traffic and I needed to grab something and get back on the road. Definitely doesn't do tonight's sunset justice.

 

 

Here is the video of Carter - the laughing at the beginning was from a little girl who crashed and slid under the fence right into my feet. Glad I kept my balance because she really could have wiped me out!

Carter's Ski School - Year 2

Carter started up his second year of ski school yesterday. He will attend each Monday afternoon in February. Fortunately, this year we have plenty of snow! Last year's lessons were pushed out a bit because Bogus didn't have enough snow to open. Boise has had plenty of snow this year! 

Eric said the lesson went great. After the lessons are over, Eric will usually take Carter on a couple of the bigger runs before coming home. Apparently Carter had a bad crash on the very last run, so he was pretty bummed when he got home. But other than the crash, he had a great time!

I plan to go up for the graduation lesson again this year, to grab more pictures. Until then, phone pictures from Eric will have to suffice.

Carter's Ski Lessons: Week 4

So today was Carter's last day of ski lessons. I took part of the day off so I could go up and watch him, and snap pictures, of course.

 Getting his boots on.

 Heading off with his instructor and the other kids in his class.

 Way up high on the chairlift.

 Coming down the slopes.

 This seriously looks like he's riding a horse.....just imagine a horse there and he's in perfect form! ;)

 I was so proud of him! I watched him go down two runs before heading to the lower lodge to read. I didn't see him crash once, though he told me he did.

 After his lessons were over and we got his report card, we headed to the truck to have some lunch. After lunch, Eric took Carter back out for more.

 Up the "magic carpet".

Coming down with daddy, working on turns.

 It amazes me how the little kids just glide down the hill so effortlessly. Makes it look so easy!

After Carter successfully made it down the bunny hill twice with Eric, they went on a bigger run. I'd love to tell you what it was called, but I'm not ski savvy yet. ;)

 I love how he waves as he's going by. It's all I can do to stay off my own butt, but my son is apparently skilled enough to multi-task while skiing!

I'm so proud of him for doing all of his lessons. He has really taken well to skiing and I'm sure this will become a regular thing between Eric and Carter. Hopefully I can gain enough experience to join them soon.