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

Idle and Wild in Idyllwild, CA

I am glad to say we all made it back in 1 piece after spending the weekend in San Bernadino Mountains. This was the 2nd time my immediate family of 20 has attempted a family getaway. The last time was about 5 years ago. Then, we had 3 babies and Olivia wasn't even born yet. Now we had a bunch of kids ready to play!
We rented and stayed in 1 large house that slept all of us somehow (I did take the couch though). We ate a lot and played games, my dad laughed through the movie, "Nacho Libre" and we played a lot in the snow. The kids loved it! We sledded on the slopes right outside our door. I even sledded a couple times - it was my first time! My sister, Sylvia, said I screamed an operatic high-pitched note as I slid down the hill with my long legs stopping me at the bottom. My nephews were christianed the new "Eval Kanevil" as they flew and jumped and slid on their knees like stuntmen. Of course a couple times some tears were shed when they hit trees (I'm just glad I wasn't one...) Nieces Ariela and Olivia were not to be outdone by the bigger boys and by the 2nd day were sliding down the big slope as well. It was so nice to see them all play and enjoy themselves in such clean fun in Mother Nature - and they had a blast having a snowball fight against the grown ups!
Such a lovely time with tons of food and laughing and further enjoying our great, large, loving family. We are all truly blessed!

click on slideshow!

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