Welcome to England

Saturday, December 29th was a travel day.  We were up early to take a bus to Innsbruck.  At Innsbruck we caught an Easy Jet to London’s Gatwick Airport.  All the drone problems were solved so we had an easy approach and landing.

The view from the Innsbruck airport.

Once we landed our choices were a train to a bus to a train exchange with all our bags or a taxi.  From this situation 2 problems arose.  1- we needed 3 taxis to transport bags and people. 2- as we waited for taxis Katie and Abby decide to enjoy delicious chocolate shakes from the airport M&S

The dream team waiting for their taxi

This taxi was lit.

Once we got to the flat we lugged the bags 5 flights of stairs.  The stairwell was a little sketchy but once we got into the flat it was great.  I probably didn’t realize how great a place this was until later.

View from our Flat.

The old #12.  I hope I can find you again.

Heading down to the tube.  Mind the Gap

Walking to dinner and a show

The streets of London are decorated for the season 

For our first night out we had planned dinner at Jamie Oliver’s restaurant in the theatre district. Jamie Oliver’s Italian was a great spot close to our theatre for the night.

Dinner at Jamie Oliver’s so far so good.

This was the last Brewgooder in the entire restaurant.

At dinner, KT felt a little off so I ran out and got her some antacids and ibuprofen.  She seemed to perk up a little bit after that.

From the restaurant we traveled to the Cambridge Theatre to watch Matilda.  It was amazing.  Sometimes the kings English is a little tough to understand but the show was spectacular.  Everyone had a great time except for KT.  Right before the show was to start she sprang from her seat.  The rest of the story you can get from her.  She came back and watched the show till intermission then spent the rest of the show on a bench downstairs in the theater with her super mom.

Happy to see Matilda in London

Inside the theater 

From the theater we returned home and all went to bed until Abby woke TB and Lara up with her own version of the M&S chocolate milkshake revenge. We will have to see how everyone does tomorrow on our tour.

Go Big or Go home on your butt

Friday, December 28th 2018 would be our last full day in Austria.  We wanted to ski and spent time as a family.  This was either going to be epic or an epic failure.  Ashley had recovered enough to come with us today so it looked to be a great day for all.

The sun was just peeking over the Alps as we left the he boot room and headed back towards Serfaus and the runs from Tuesday.  Spirits were high and AC/DC rocked the gondola.

Morning stretches.  We are going to need to be flexible and strong today.

SA, G-Money and the Germans 

We elected to ski over by Serfaus again so it was a lot of skiing and riding chairs but eventually everyone go to Masnerkopf.  The views were amazing.  

Wow.  It is a beautiful day

At the checkpoint.  Elle: Mom, why do you always ski so slow? Lara.  Smoke comes out of her ears. Next 3 runs  Lara and Elle ski pretty close together.  Elle: “. I am glad I gave you that pep talk mom.

The Anseth family 

Abby and Katie

These guys are crazy.

While Elle, Lara, TB and I skied.  The rest of the crew stopped for some hot chocolate and lunch.  While Elle was giving her mom a pep talk, TB was creating an international incident by whacking the ski poles of the guy trying to push Lara out of his way to the chairlift, Mi Familia !!!! Mi Familia!!!  Was the battle cry.  The others relaxed on mountain high enjoying WiFi and hot chocolates.

Is the G asleep or pondering her next move?

Do you think we had enough hot chocolate?

We would have gotten back to skiing a little sooner but an epic game of foosball broke out.

Sophie and Abby truing hard to make a comeback!!

TB and Grace rule the Austrian Alps in foosball.  #makefoosballgreatagain.

Another great Coke and some pasta

Kari getting ready to ski back to the resort.

But wait let’s take some more pictures

All the girls smiling before we ski home.

Abby and Grace are locked and loaded

The way home was harder then the way out.  Most were tired.  Kari’s thumb hurt from a fall.  Also, the way back was a lot icier due to the warm conditions.  Sliding down one of the steeper slopes Ashley had had enough and tried to slide down on her butt.  This met with little or no success.  The moment could have gone either way-  a complete meltdown or rising to the challenge.  We had a little yelling and decided that Option 1: sliding to Fiss on our butt was not going to work. Option 2: taking our skis off and walking to Fiss was not a good choice either.  Option 3:  point your skis down hill and handle the challenges as they come.  So option 3 was what we did- slow and steady and back to Fiss.  Once there TB and Elle asked if we should take one more run, so we did.  Unfortunately my legs were only good about 1/2 the distance so I had to grind it out to keep up but we all made it home in one piece.

Let’s go girls 

One of the view from my last run.  Listening to Thunderstruck.  Does it get any better?

Just before we drop the skis off for good.  Not a bad ending to an Austrian ski week.

Full House this week.  Thank you Ladis-Fiss-Serfaus.

On last food pictures. Octopus and squid.  Not a bad way to finish 

We played a little late night What do you meme?  I don’t remember who won or do I? The point was we had a great night of laughter and a little 🍷.  Tomorrow is a travel day so we will see what happens.

This 9 pack might lead me to a 6 Pack

Thursday, December 27th, 2018 broke clear over the Austrian Alps. Everyone in our ten pack seemed up for some ski and adventure.  A bountiful breakfast of omelettes, waffles and donuts was enjoyed by all.  We all descended on the boot room at 8:40 so we could get out and ski.  The north side and its great runs and stunning views was our destination.

Can you here the AC/DC Abby? Or is that just the Beatles Grace.

Berta the cow and the whole crew ready to ski!!!

Selfie nation the sun is bright this morning

The Alps and the skiers.  The varsity was TB, Abby, Grace and SA.  The JV team was all others on this day.

Let’s go crazy

Grace says go big or go home mom.

Nuff said.

Butners on the observation deck at the top of the north side 

Anseths on the observation deck.  Apparently the Lord’s light is shining down on Grace this day.

One of my favorite moments was riding the gondola with the girls and we broke into a little Wagon Wheel. I was laughing so hard.  Bringing the tunes on the slopes was definitely a huge plus for us.

Some in the crew kept skiiing while others stopped for food and hot chocolate.

The hot chocolate!!! We better check what is in Katie’s.

This girls looks wild.... and the afternoon hasn’t even started 

The ski restaurant 

Crazy place 

This is what focus looks like.  Small and mighty 

The Butners in the sun before we ski back to the hotel

The girls in the snow Katie and Abby what are you two doing.  Katie don’t strain that much...

Not injured.  Yeah!!!!

On the way back down Katie decide to do a ski jump into an inflatable bag.  Don’t ask me - I was too scared and probably too old.

The run up

On the ramp

We have lift off

Gently? Back to earth 

We skied back down by the hotel where we tried the Fisser Flieger.  It is basically a family zip line over several of the runs.  It was amazing Kari, Grace, Katie and I did it.

This is the Butner girls so you get the idea.  Abby are you gonna dab it out or not?

From there Katie, Sophie and Elle decided to try the alpine swing.  Which received a big hell no from me

This is a picture of Sophie, Elle and Katie paused at the top.  The video or their entire ride was almost 4 min long.  I think the operator was trying to make them puke.

At this stage enough was enough and we skied in dropped of our gear and went to the AfterSki.

A few beers and a few fries were had.

Grace was cold when she wasn’t bouncing on trampolines 

We enjoyed the German house music mixed with ABBA and American country music.

We finally head back to the hotel to grab a quick meal before the night ski show.

Your daily art house B&W 

The ski show was amazing.  Here are a few highlights.

Glowing men with sparklers

Ski jumper 

Big air

Wow

Berta the cow and a bunch of unicorns.  Cue up the German dance music 

The night ski crew.  Our fearless leader Elle is obscured somewhat but she is there to get us home safe.

Our 10 pack was actually a 9 pack Ashley Grace Anseth was sidelined again with an undisclosed illness.  She rested, showered and maybe spent some time in the spa.  We are optimistic she will recover enough to ski on the final day.