Gone are the days when Collin and I would decide the night before that we wanted to go to Big Bear for the day to ski. No reservations necessary; no bags to pack. We would just toss our ski stuff in the car and off we'd go at 5:30am. We'd ski; grab lunch; ski; relax and then head home. A long, fun day.

Now, we have plans/reservations/lists:

It involves checking the ski-stuff box to see who has outgrown what. It involves borrowing precious items (helmets & goggles, THANKS Heather!).
It involves counting down how many more 'SLEEPS' you have until we leave.
After a trip to Ralph's

and Costco and the fire wood place and Chicks sporting goods, we can go.

Nope, first you have to pack suitcases and then figure out how you are possibly going to fit this puzzle together ---- dog crate; two coolers; firewood; ski clothes; four suitcases (for us); groceries!; wine; snow chains and have room to ADD three more adults & two kids WITH suitcases into a F-150 crew cab and a Suburban. (I know what you are thinking -- usually we shop after arrival, but all the weekenders arrive on Friday afternoon and shop. It takes at least two hours if we wait until we are up there).

Check the local mountain website for road conditions.
Don't forget the Dramamine.
The mountains are calling our name

Happy Mardi Gras!