Big Bear 2011- Day 1

In my younger years, my parents rarely could afford for us to go on vacations. However, there were enough scattered trips to Big Bear over the years, to make THAT feel like our family vacation spot. We always went with my mom's best friend Barbara, and her family...and I'm pretty sure we always went over the Thanksgiving Holiday.

In the last 2 years, our tradition has been re-born and our GROWING families have all gathered together in Big Bear...amongst 3 cabins...in the first weekend in December.

This year, our trip started on Thursday. And while things were sunny in our home city of San Diego, a blizzard was brewing in Big Bear!

After our snow cables were purchased, and our van was PACKED, we were headed up the mountain for 4 days!

All the while listening to Christmas Carols on our stereo, the last hour of our drive was through persistent snow fall. It was beautiful! Aaaand, a bit scary to drive in, lol.

But we finally arrived at our cabin!



The snow kept coming down all day and night...





With the storm going on outside, we mostly stayed inside.

Cuddling on the couch...



Doing old-fashioned fun...



And a more modern version of "fun"...



But when it comes to women, playing with "hair" is timeless fun!...



My mom made us many delicious espresso drinks (my fave was her egg nog latte!)...



Family kept creeping up the mountain all day/evening.

My cousin-in-law Sarah and I...



My brother Michael...



My Stepmom and I...



Last year at this time, nobody knew it, but baby Eliana was in Big Bear with us...in her mama's belly! And this year, at 3 months old, many of us got to meet her for the first time! Beatrice was especially captivated by her...







My brother's girlfriend with Eliana...



We had many laughs on this trip...and the first night was no exception. Our friend Danielle was on my team...Friday Morning Breakfast Team...and she was in charge of cooking the bacon for our breakfast the next morning...



The funny thing is, is that Danielle is a long-time vegetarian, and she has never EVER made bacon before...how is that even possible!? We told her how to lay the bacon on the pan...



And then without our direction, she began to layer more bacon on top of THAT bacon going in the opposite direction, HAHAHAHAHA!!! A rookie bacon-ator indeed!

Some of us huddled around a table for hours, ending our night...and well, starting our next morning working on a puzzle...



And after feeding in to our OCD, and riding out this puzzle until the bitter end, we finished the project at 2:30am...only to find that we were missing a single piece, UGH!!!!



A little less than half of us arrived on day 1. The following days would promise even more fun...more adventure...and more NOISE! :0)