Christmas in Tahoe

This year for Christmas, my Dad rented a house for his entire side of the family so we could all meet in South Lake Tahoe. That was the last time we will ever do something like that again. With that large of a group and so many kids, it's just too much. We had fun, but 98% of everything (chores, shopping, buying, organizing, cleaning, cooking, etc.) somehow was our family's responsibility, namely mom and dad's. It was exhausting. But, it was really nice to get to spend an extended amount of time with Mom, Dad, Tyler, and Holly's clan. Tahoe was also going through a record breaking no snow drought, so the white Christmas everyone wanted, well, us from Texas, didn't happen. Although I'm not really complaining, because the weather as beautiful, and the scenery amazing.

We did take the Gondola up to the mountain one day to watch the Blake, Joel, Zack and Tyler ski. That was a lot of fun, plus it was so perfect up there. Not too cold, but you were in the snow on top of a mountain- amazing.

The house we stayed in was really nice. On the bottom floor (it was 3 stories) there was an indoor pool that got a TON of use, fireplace, sauna, bathroom and a porch with a hot tub. I got in the pool once with Blake, but found it to be otherwise too occupied for my tastes. Blake however, loved it.

Overall it was a good trip, but long. We were gone 8 days (my parents don't come home until 1/3!). It was the best feeling ever to get home and see Duke. I missed that dog!

"Christmas" at home.

We started the trip with a few nights in Reno. Blake had a very
successful stay. Me, not so much. First losing gambling trip ever!

Indoor pool. This kid is a fish.

There was a lot of this at first, but he didn't care. He had so
much fun. It was awesome to watch.

Joel's second time skiing. The first was when he was Blake's age.

Zack briefly checked in with us, then he was off to bigger
and faster hills.

Even Tyler made an appearance!

"Relaxing" after skiing. That's exactly what Blake said.

Santa came!

That's A LOT of stockings.

Yes, those were really in my dad's stocking, thanks to his brother.

Everyone, or close.

Our growing clan! 

Hope you all had a great Christmas with family and friends. We're very much looking forward to 2012 being an amazing and eventful year for us. Happy New Year!

Here's a link to more pictures from our trip, if you are interested. I'll add my mom's once I get them too.
Christmas in Tahoe photos