The Snowlodge House

Here are 2 videos of me walking through the house on our last morning - - I realized afterwards that I didn't even film the east wing of the house - - where the 2 master bedrooms where (my siblings were generous and aside from my parents having one, they allowed us newlyweds in the other). I also missed the upstairs loft where the the girl cousins crashed together...ah,well - - at least this helps a bit so the family remembers what it looks like :)

Martinez Snow Trip 2010

Earlier this month the Martinez clan made the journey to Big Bear Lake, California for our 3rd family snow trip together. This is always a feat in itself - there are 8 in my family and now with spouses and grandkids we number 22 (!) hahah that is a lot of mouths to feed..

The house we rented was huge - tons of bedrooms, 3 living rooms, a pool hall and even an indoor jacuzzi -ahhh. We have a blast playing games, sledding, the kids take ski lessons and all the adults (sans accident-prone Elsa) ski and snowboard.

This year was extra-special having my own family with me. Ciara got to miss 2 days of school to snowboard with her dad and play night and day with her 8 cousins - - not too shabby for originally an only child. We are loud and laugh a lot - - she was so tired she actually went to bed early every night - I have never seen this!

I am so proud of the kids - for some of them it was their first time skiing. Others have barely done it - and they are all so good and fearless - - but nothing comes close to seeing my sweet autistic nephew Ryan go down the mountain with his special ed (bravo) ski instructor and his mamma - - he was so relaxed and my heart just swells thinking of it!

Wonderful times, we are so blessed to have these times together -- God is great!

Click on slideshow below for more!

Snowtrip 2010