Ski Race

This week we completed the kids' ski lessons for the year. On the last day of class they have a ski race -- down a hill and around some gates. The teachers were smarter this year because they did not have Jacob and Anna compete against each other (in which case the winner would pick on the loser all year). Both ended up winning their races.

With victories in hand, the kids asked me to take them up a "big" ski lift. Of course, I did, and they made sure we found our way to the half pipe (where snowboarders and skiers compete in freestyle competitions). A friend and I did the half pipe earlier in the day for the first time and both ended up on our rears. Jacob and Anna leisurely cruised up one side and then the other -- all the way down the pipe without falling. Beyond the half pipe about 100 yards is a 20-foot high jump. Jacob took off toward the jump, tucked down to get as much speed as possible, and I was fearing for the worst. Luckily, his momentum only took him 3/4 of the way up the launch ramp and he stalled before the jump. YIKES!!!