It has become our yearly tradition to go to Mammoth with our friends sometime during the ski season! This was the first time for us to go without a baby or being pregnant in over 3 years! Woo-hoo! :)
The Mercers + baby
The O's
The Hekums + Alayna
Us
We left all of our brood with the Nydam clan and they had a blast
(Thanks again Nydams, we Love you!) Getting away without all 5 kids takes quite a bit of planning and I must say as excited as I was to get away, I was a little sad to leave them. (at least they were in good hands) My folks came over Thursday to keep them before Rachel came to get the younger four to stay at their house Thursday night. Zach stayed the night with my parents so he could go to school on Friday for his Spring party.We drove up Thursday with Matt, Jess & Alayna.
James and Matt sat in the back with Alayna and Jess in the passenger seat and I drove to eliminate getting car sick. We tried that a few times with me in the passenger seat and it didn't work too well :) The drive there was good. Alayna cried some, but it was far better than listening to our 5 scream and fight, "You're crossing the line...Mom he's touching me...Dad she's looking at me...That's my binky...I need a sippy...I have to go potty!" You get the idea, one crying baby didn't faze us :) she did really well for being in the car for 6 hours. We got there safe and sound and enjoyed some pizza and cold beer and the games began shortly after! :) It was so nice to relax and not have to worry about putting kids to bed!
Friday James, Matt and Jeff went snowmobiling and us girls hung out and relax in the condo all morning.
The guys came back and we all went to go to our traditional Friday lunch spot, Hennessey's, but it was closed and a Mexican restaurant opened in it's place, it was yummy just the same. Then came the real fun...the girls went shopping while the boys headed back to the condo to hang out.
While we were shopping the it began snowing and didn't stop until early Saturday morning. I think we got about a foot of fresh powder. It was so pretty to see the snow coming down and to be warm inside.Saturday was blissful, I stayed in the bed til after 9am, while the majority of the group headed to the slopes. We all just relaxed, read a bit and chatted some. Every year, Matt and I and some others end up staying back at the condo, as neither Matt nor I ski. James and Jess end up skiing all day together, as they like to take it slower than the others. So in traditional fashion, here's James and Jess' picture on the lift :)
Those of us who stayed back at the condo met up with the snow-bunnies :) for lunch at the lodge. The snow play was followed by drinks and some time in the hot tub.
After relaxing and cleaning up a bit, James and I went out on a date. We figured since we didn't have any kids, we might as well take advantage of our time alone :)
We headed to the Chart House, while the rest of the group ordered Thai delivery. We completed the night with a few fun games and some of Matt's yummy drinks!
Saturday night after talking to the kids, we learned that Rachel had been sick and chaos was overcoming the Nydam household quickly :(
We packed up Sunday morning, stopped for breakfast with everyone and then headed home.
Before leaving the condo every year we take a group picture :) It's like prom only 15 years later...
The whole gang...Hekmans, Oates, Mercers and O's
The Chicas
The Core Four
We made it back home about 4pm, to 5 happy kids and 2 happy babysitters :)
Rachel, Sarah and Mary, Jim and Chris, You are amazing! Thank you so very much for taking such good care of our kids and loving them like family! We Love you!Every year while in Mammoth I am reminded of the true beauty of His creation. The fresh snow, the bright blue skies against the trees are so breathtaking. What an amazing God we serve! Once we come home, each year James and I talk about what good friends God had blessed us with, they are truly our family, Hekmans, Mercers and O's you are the best friends we could ask for!
Thanks Jess for letting me use your pics :) At least somebody brought their camera!
Jessie was everyone's favorite today! Grady was a champion jumper
Pretty pool hair, Jessie and Hoper
Jessie and the girls
I love pictures of water and think these are so cool! 
Happy Birthday Rachel and Sarah! We love you! Hope you enjoy your new Rainbows, we know you'll get lots of use out of them :)
Thanks Betty for buying our tickets and sharing not only your table, but your heart with us too!
We left all of our brood with the Nydam clan and they had a blast (Thanks again Nydams, we Love you!) Getting away without all 5 kids takes quite a bit of planning and I must say as excited as I was to get away, I was a little sad to leave them. (at least they were in good hands) My folks came over Thursday to keep them before Rachel came to get the younger four to stay at their house Thursday night. Zach stayed the night with my parents so he could go to school on Friday for his Spring party.We drove up Thursday with Matt, Jess & Alayna.
James and Matt sat in the back with Alayna and Jess in the passenger seat and I drove to eliminate getting car sick. We tried that a few times with me in the passenger seat and it didn't work too well :) The drive there was good. Alayna cried some, but it was far better than listening to our 5 scream and fight, "You're crossing the line...Mom he's touching me...Dad she's looking at me...That's my binky...I need a sippy...I have to go potty!" You get the idea, one crying baby didn't faze us :) she did really well for being in the car for 6 hours. We got there safe and sound and enjoyed some pizza and cold beer and the games began shortly after! :) It was so nice to relax and not have to worry about putting kids to bed!
The guys came back and we all went to go to our traditional Friday lunch spot, Hennessey's, but it was closed and a Mexican restaurant opened in it's place, it was yummy just the same. Then came the real fun...the girls went shopping while the boys headed back to the condo to hang out. 
While we were shopping the it began snowing and didn't stop until early Saturday morning. I think we got about a foot of fresh powder. It was so pretty to see the snow coming down and to be warm inside.Saturday was blissful, I stayed in the bed til after 9am, while the majority of the group headed to the slopes. We all just relaxed, read a bit and chatted some. Every year, Matt and I and some others end up staying back at the condo, as neither Matt nor I ski. James and Jess end up skiing all day together, as they like to take it slower than the others. So in traditional fashion, here's James and Jess' picture on the lift :) 
Those of us who stayed back at the condo met up with the snow-bunnies :) for lunch at the lodge. The snow play was followed by drinks and some time in the hot tub. 
After relaxing and cleaning up a bit, James and I went out on a date. We figured since we didn't have any kids, we might as well take advantage of our time alone :)
Before leaving the condo every year we take a group picture :) It's like prom only 15 years later...
The Chicas
We made it back home about 4pm, to 5 happy kids and 2 happy babysitters :) Rachel, Sarah and Mary, Jim and Chris, You are amazing! Thank you so very much for taking such good care of our kids and loving them like family! We Love you!
The girls, Carmen, Tiff and Faithy
Grady in his 3rd costume of Halloween '09
Thanks Hekman's for coming over to share our spooktacular night :)
The Mercers
Megan and Teri
This is James attempting to keep his eyes open a little more, silly man!!
