Some departures
Today was the BIG family portrait, as some folks were leaving today. Much of the early morning was spent eating pancakes, then getting spiffed up -- faces washed, hair combed -- and then getting the entire clan out on the front steps. I stood at the bottom, composing the crowd -- you move there, you switch with them, and so on. Places fixed, a quick count verified that 23 people were waiting, and I was #24. Cameras were given to the not-quite-family members -- Jake's girl Veronica and Lindy's fellow Hazen -- and I dashed up the back side of the staircase to take up position behind Val (and I'm tall enough to merit the back row anyway). Each camera was used for a few shots, we did a few "act silly" versions, and whew! That was that!
Three generations of the Wenner family.And then the first departures. Jessica had to get back to college, and was the first away.
Veronica, Jake, Nathan, mom Laura, Jessica.While playing with some of the balloon bouquets, one of the weights slipped loose, and Carson watched with delight at the cluster floated all the way to the top of the great room, about 20 feet above us, and out of reach of the loft. There didn't seem to be any easy way to get them down (no trailing string attached); we had a ladder but it was nowhere near long enough. Hazen and Lindy provided the solution. They do rock-climbing at their college, and had brought their equipment. Hazen set up a belay rope over one of the massive log beams, swung out into free space, cinch-climbed up, and grabbed the beam. A few attempts with inadequate tools failed to pop the balloons, but then Mike provided an extended broom handle with a nail taped to the end. Hazen lanced away, and after half the balloons were popped, the rest descended quickly. (Another rogue cluster was within reach of the loft.) It made for quite the indoor entertainment. And soon after, they were the next to leave.
Setting up.
Climbing up.
Carson didn't want to hear the pops.
High-flying Hazen nails the balloons.A crew had inspected the snow-making cannons the night before, but they did not turn them on, so the ski slope had only natural snow, but plenty enough for sledding. Val took the kids out, and several cousins also joined in. Saucers were not very good, but inflatable pool rings rocked in the snow. Carson even did a solo run. The slope evened out enough near the lodge walkway that there was no danger of anyone going on a long, down-mountain run, but there was more than enough fun for all. (I only took pictures. I'm too big for this sort of thing.) Eventually everyone came back in, and Carson soon dozed off, utterly exhausted from the climbing up and sliding down.
Snowy view from the lodge deck.(Val and Carson are just right of the boulder, Amie is hiking with an inflatable.)
Val watches Carson zoom by.
My snow bunny. Hauling kids up a mountain is work!
Nathan wipes out.
Mike gives Kylene a push, and the snow does the rest.
Carson hikes through a New Mexico winter wonderland.
Simply beautiful.The balance of the day was quiet, folks reading, watching college football, movies. I set up the MacBook to run a slideshow of all the pictures I had taken on the weekend, and people enjoyed that until the battery went dry. Plans were made for sharing pics later. Dinner was potluck and scavenge style, with more than enough leftovers and supplies remaining. As the evening turned to night, people began taking down the decorations, cleaning up, and packing, for tomorrow, we all depart.
Late-night team Scrabble.
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