2019 Winter Holiday

Every year one of our families takes a turn choosing the location for the Winter Holiday.  This year it was d and Zhouyi's choice.  They wanted to find something in the vicinity of Burlington, VT because they have friends in Montreal and wanted to visit them as part of their trip.  We found a lodge near Lake Placid, NY that was large enough to accommodate our entire family. Fortunately, everyone in the family was able to come.  The group included Topher, My, Denae, Beau,and Croix; d, Zhouyi, Meila, and Euan; John, Kathryn, Akston, Reayen, Elynn, and Ryder; Kevin and Rachael; and Liz and I.

On January 2 we flew from Dallas to Albany, NY, rented a car and stayed at an Airbnb that night.  Next day we got up and went shopping at Walmart where we met up with Rachael and Kevin who had also arrived the night before.  We drove together up to Lake Placid.  Rachael and Kevin drove on to Whiteface Ski Resort to do some cross country skiing and Liz and I drove up to the Lodge we had rented for the Winter Holiday in Au Sable Forks, NY.  That afternoon everyone arrived at the Lodge.

"The Lodge" in Au Sable, NY
Our home for the Winter Holiday

The Lodge had 3 levels and plenty of room for our large party with a bedroom for every couple and a bunk room for the grandkids.

Rachael and Elynn looking over the snacks

Akston doing card tricks

Rachael and Kevin making dinner

Playing video games

Decorated for Christmas

Upstairs to 3rd floor bedrooms

On the morning of Jan 4 we had a photographer come to the Lodge to take family portraits.  Liz found her online and she did a great job of managing the group.  We were very pleased with the results.

Entire Family

Just the Grandkids

Out on the deck of the Lodge

In the afternoon we got out the sleds and put them to use on the hill by the side of the Lodge.  During our portrait session it had started to snow and continued for most of the day, so the sledding hill improved over time.  By the end of the day we had a few new inches of fluffy white snow.

Beau and Topher ready for a ride

Denae with Topher

Climbing back up the hill

John pushing Akston and Reayen

d with Elynn and Meila

Ready to race

Elynn and Meila

Snow Angle

On January 5th we got up to a blanket of new snow.  Topher, d, the Keetons and the McLaughlins all got ready to go skiing at Whiteface Ski Resort (this is where the 1980 Winter Olympics were held).  The adults had arranged ski lessons for Akston, Reayen, Elynn, Denae, and Meila.  Topher rented skis for Beau and worked with him on the bunny slope.  Liz and I stayed behind at the Lodge with My and Zhouyi and we all took care of  Euan, Ryder and Croix.

Elynn skiing 

Elynn making the "pizza"

Beau skiing with Topher

Topher and Beau watching the Grandkids ski class

The Grandkids ski class
Akston, Denae, Meila, Elynn, and Reayen

In the early afternoon the little girls (Meila and Elynn) had enough of skiing so we went to pick them up at the resort.  We also dropped off My and Croix with Topher and their family went on to Lake Placid to do some ice skating.  The rest stayed at Whiteface and skied until closing in the late afternoon.  That night we had a hearty dinner at the Lodge, played games and spent time in the hot tub.

Kathryn and John out for a walk
on a snowy winter's day

Enjoying the woods

On January 6th we had our farewell breakfast at the Lodge and everyone packed and headed for home.  We checked out of the Lodge and drove back down to Albany where we had arranged another night's stay at the Airbnb there.  The next day we caught our flight back home. We were left with the wonderful afterglow of a holiday season with family.  Our only regret was that it wasn't long enough.....so we decided that next year we will make it 4 nights instead of 3.  Can't wait to do it again!