Sunday, November 28, 2010

Big Bear For The Weekend, With A Surprise!

Helloooo, we are back from beautiful Big Bear, where we had a perfectly lovely weekend, and a bit of an adventure as well!  We took off Friday morning, in the motor home, because there were to be so many of  us going up this time, that we could not all sleep at the cabin.  So some had cabins near by, and some stayed with Mom in her cabin, and we took the motor home to park it in back and sleep there.  Before we left, I had heard that there was a slight chance of snow flurries on Saturday night.  Greg said..."NOoooo!!"  The forecast is clear through the entire weekend.  "Don't worry Bunny, it will be sunny and clear."  So off we went, and hopped out of the motor home to find plenty of snow!

I have NO idea who took this of me?  Mr. G was trying to get the motor home pulled in, I have no idea what in the heck I am doing with my hands??  Maybe I was saying STOP!  You can see that there was plenty of snow already there from the storm that came through a few days before.  This was taken in back of my Mom's place where we were going to put the motor home.
There was so much snow that my brother Tim and nephew Matt had to use their 4 wheel drive trucks to pack down the snow before he could pull across.  It was hilarious watching them.  My other brother Mark, and his wife Monica, and my Mom were watching and laughing from the back deck.
Finally, got it backed in.
We got busy right away making some yummy turkey sandwiches with all the fixings.  Sooo good!!
Then the Boggle Tournament began.  Boggle is BIG in my family.  We have been playing it since I was a kid.  We always played on the dock at Bass Lake, and any time we went camping, and, well, all the time.   My nephew is always trying to beat me!!  He can't.  No one can.  I love to talk smak to him about it.  I called down the thunder, and he came with guns a blazin'!  I brought him a little gift.  Some kleenex, because I knew he would be crying from losing so much to me.  Some extra pencils, because he was bound to get frustrated and break a few.  And a big eraser, because he would be needing to erase a LOT! 

Here we are....playing Boggle.  Auntie Kristy is wearing the crown, that only the Boggle Champ can wear.
My nephew Tim wanted to see what it would feel like to wear the crown. So I let him.  Just for a minute.
Nick wore it.  Katie wore it.  And then. It. Happened.  Joe beat me!  Fair and square.  Beat me.  Bad!! 
We kept playing though.  I won a few, he won a few.  We went head to head.  Then, a new kid took our crown!
 This is Katie.  She is my nephew Cody's girlfriend.  She is adorable.  And smart!!  She gave Joe and I a run for our money all day!  Looks like Joe and I have to contend with a new kid in town when it comes to Boggle.  And crowns.  And being Champ!
 Even David, Erika's boyfriend got into the action.  He held his own, but never got to wear the crown.  Sorry David. Keep practicing!
The following day we went into town to shop, and everyone kind of went their own way.  Mom and I went to a cooking demo at the Copper Q, and then we all met up again in the evening for a delicious meal my Mom cooked.  She cooked a beef tenderloin that had to be 20 pounds!  We all got into the kitchen to help prepare dinner.
And sometime after dinner, one of the kids went outside to the deck and yelled...."It's Snowing!"  I didn't believe him at first. 
Those aren't stars!  It was snowing indeed!!
Real, light, fluffy, snow flakes!!!  And all I could think of was me telling Greg I was worried to drive the motor home up there into the snow, and what if it snowed while we were there?  And Greg telling me, "Oh Bunny, it isn't going to snow!!!" 
That night, the wind blew, and the snow fell, for several hours. We were roasty toasty inside the motor home, but I knew that driving it home the next day would be iffy. This is what it looked like from inside.
When I got up this morning, and went to open the door, and the steps to the motor home couldn't open up all the way because of the snow.....I was worried.
And when I stepped outside and could not see the road, I knew...we were in trouble.
Plan B.....leave the motor home here, and come back to get it later in the week after the roads were clear.  So we decided to ride home with my Mom and Monica, and our two dogs!!  My sister in law has the same kind of dog as we do. She has a girl, and we have a boy. They got along great together.
We got our things together, and met my brother and his kids at Blanca & Pierre's for breakfast, and then headed down the hill.  It was a great weekend.  So much fun!   Unfortunately, my brother Mark had to turn around and drive back home shortly after getting there, due to a badly pulled muscle in his back that was giving him fits.  I wish he had felt well enough to stay, but I am so glad my sister in law and her boys all stayed.  We had a ball!
It was 19 degrees when we left!  Snow chains were required.  So glad we didn't try to drive down in the motor home!  Til next time Big Bear!!!
Now, let Christmas begin!

21 comments:

- said...

What great photos Kris! We love Boggle too and even have a little travel Boggle game.

Lauri said...

I've always been a fan of boggle too. Sounds like a fun (COLD) weekend.

Stacey said...

That snow looks beautiful! I can't wait to go up to the snow.. Sounds, and looks like you guys had fun :)

~Niki~ said...

oh my gosh, what a great post!
love all the boggle pics!~ what fun!
the snow is amazing.
don't get there here where we live.

Genn said...

Wish I was there... :(
Looks like a great time as always.
Love the picture of everyone out there in the snow. How fun.
Bunny, it won't snow. Hahaha.
Did Mark get in to a dr for his back? I bet driving home was miserable.

Bethany said...

Wow that looks like a really good time!
I think I live in the only part of the country other than the deep South that has yet to see snow...even though it's still relatively early.
Happy Monday!

Larissa said...

Aren't cabins the best? We left Big Bear on Friday.... just missed the snow!
And I have to say, I'm not an animal person really, but your fluffy white dog is SO cute! I don't know if you know who Fancy Nancy is, but your dog looks just like her dog Frenchy....

Maryrose said...

Looks like a great time...good family and fun times, with a great bonus SNOW. Glad you got to wear the crown most of the time. I know how "not competitive" you are...tee hee.

NanaNor's said...

Hi Kris, Loved your pic's-even the snow(although we have had a bit here). Glad you decided to leave your motorhome up there and return to get it another day. Loved seeing the pups. What a wonderful celebration you all had. I have to check out boggle, we don't have it and it may be a good family Christmas present.
Have a great day.

Unknown said...

Welcome home Kris. Looks like a great fun was had by all. So nice to see a little snow. The season is upon us.

Well, be getting caught back up soon.

Kate

Katie said...

This is so cute and too darn funny!!! I just love your Boogle Crown & even more that you brough Joe kleenix!!!! ;) It looks like you guys had a Great time up there in the Snow!!!
Although, I'm not sure that I like ANOTHER Katie in the family!! I did not approve of such, especially a younger, thinner version!!! ;)

Katie said...

This is so cute and too darn funny!!! I just love your Boogle Crown & even more that you brough Joe kleenix!!!! ;) It looks like you guys had a Great time up there in the Snow!!!
Although, I'm not sure that I like ANOTHER Katie in the family!! I did not approve of such, especially a younger, thinner version!!! ;)

Pam said...

It looks like you had a wonderful time! I love playing games... I'll have to check out Boggle.

Jennifer said...

Wow - what a fun surprise...and such a cool (yes, pun intended!) way to finish out the holiday!! Great memories:)

Kristi said...

Looks like a blast, and snow?!?! How exciting! Great way to finish off the weekend and glad that you guys made it back safely! I was worried when I read your FB status!

Linda said...

It looks like you had a great time....the boys and all their friends were up at Big Bear this weekend too! They went snowboarding for the weekend. They wanted us to join them but we had already decided to go to La Quinta to visit Don's family there. They are lucky that their room mates parents have a cabin and don't use it too often. Have a great week!

Reality Jayne said...

Hey Kris, Your trip sounds lovely....
PS dont you just love the Boggle feeling when you get a 7 to 8 letter word that no one else got........claaaaaaaasic

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Brrr..looks cold there! Perfect hot chocolate and Boggle weather! :)

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Kris, this looks like a PERFECT weekend...thanks for sharing it with us!

annielizabeth said...

Lovely post! I haven't been up to Big Bear in awhile. We used to take the kids up there to play in the snow when we lived in Rancho Cucamonga. Lotsa fond memories made there. Now I'm off to try those sno-flakes that Clara has been making.

Red Geranium Cottage said...

What a fun trip!!! I love the snow photos. And look at you in your leggings and your cute little vest!!!