I Don't Wanna Grow Up...

It seems I may have finally figured out the way to organising an adventure for all of us... give them 24hrs. notice. We've talked about going sliding in passing a few times this winter. Friday night I mentioned that it would be a good idea to go sliding saturday night. Almost exactly 24hrs. later, we were at England's Hollow with tubes, sleds and Jungle Juice (new name for my blue raspberry martini stuff, thanks Tracy) in hand.

On my way in to work saturday morning, I stopped at Chatham tire and got them to dig up some tubes for me. The weather forecast through the day was a mixed bag. Some were saying warm, others were saying 70km/h wind. Throw that on with wind chill and that would not a sliding party make! Fortunately for us, it was the former and what a beautiful night. It couldn't have been any better if it had of been special order.

Everyone arrived at Liss and Darcy's by 7pm. rarin' to go. I don't think I've ever seen so many jackets, ski pants, hats, scarves, tubes, etc., piled in to one room in my life, not to mention all the bodies. We had a few totties there before putting the full plan in action. Janna brought along her half sister Tasha and her boyfriend Corey. They were great fun! Tasha's my newfound friend.

Mitchell and Trenton decided to go for a walk (likely to get away from the crazy adults) to the store and next thing ya know, Trenton's wandering around with this. Tracy must have somehow passed that trait on to him 'cause I seem to recall a time back the camp that she had an *ahem* extra large beverage in a can.



This started out originally as Tracy and Trenton, then Mitchell walked by, then I threw Liss in there (moms and sons kinda thing) when Jake decided he wanted to be in the picture. He is a son too...



Yup, it was definately close quarters in the kitchen, especially once Mitchell and Trenton got the tubes blown up...



Now that everyone had finally peed and gotten dressed, we loaded everyone we could (Liss, Darcy, Mitchell, Tracy, Andy, Trenton, Janna, Tasha, Corey, myself) in to the Skidd's truck and Janna's car, sliding gear included. Considering one piece of gear was a grader tube blown wwaaayyy beyond it's limit, it's a miracle we pulled it off in one trip.

Thankfully I thought to bring my camera, yeah, like I ever leave home without it. Children of all ages (13 and up) had the time of their lives. You don't realise how old you are until you have to get back up the hill you just flew down screaming at the top of your lungs. Made even harder when you and your friends get in to a giggle fit half way up, eh Liss? I'm amazed that grader tube held up, considering it was flung, flipped, rolled, dog piled and launched. Mitchell's mean green machine made for some pretty fast run fun too. No better seat was had though than the trip I took down with both tubes piled on top of each other. Nobody else attempted it once they realised that bringing the two tubes back up was no picnic. It was worth it though, they don't know what they missed. :D

Mitch taking one of the first runs down...



I think Darcy was the official pusher as well as testosterone limit pusher. Here he is about to launch Tasha and Janna down the hill on the grader tube...



After failed attempts at standing on sleds going down, they decided to go get a snowboard. Well that did it. It was bodies flying everywhere with Darcy (our supposedly responsible designated driver, at least he was sober) pulling the most spectacular face plant I've seen in some time. Made even funnier when it came at the very end of a perfect run. Darcy seems to be the main subject for the videos as he was the one that was willing to try anything. Man I wish I got that face plant.

Here's one of Darcy starting to go down backwards. Aborting was the right choice there. This one's of Corey and Mitchell. Mitchell's on the trail we coined, "The Bumpity Bump," and Corey decides to launch himself off the ramp. Too funny. Guess we should have told Darcy that you're supposed to sit on the tube and not in it. In this video, it's Corey pushing Janna and Tasha (I think) towards a ramp. They managed to stay on somehow.

And when us old, "geezers," -anonymous snot nosed kid, needed a breather, we could catch it on the guardrail that was sticking out...



Speaking of geezers! There were a couple of kids that invaded the party (dang that public place thing) and after Darcy's face plant snowboard attempt, Mitch overheard these kids (that he knew from school) calling him a, "Geezer." Poor Mitch got worked right up and that made it even funnier. Being the vultures that we are, we laughed and cackled at that for some time. I think the boys thought we were going to get them because when Darcy went to get something out of the truck, they beat 'er down the hill pretty quick. The kids left not too long after that, now that I think of it. Moral of this story boys and girls, "Respect your elders!" Hahahahaha! Darcy managed to show them up with this move though.

One good thing about drinking Jungle Juice (such a perfect name considering it was concocted for the first time back the camp) is that I mix it in bulk. It was the perfect drag along drink. Here's Liss sampling it...



A cute one of Liss and Mitch. I thought they were both oblivious to my picture taking but I now see that Liss was on to me...



A cute Skidd family portrait...



At the last minute, I thought to bring my tripod which I'm now glad I remembered as it enabled me to get this group shot of all of us. I'm not even going to attempt to do the left-right thing as it's just body parts everywhere, none particularly identifiable. The only one that may appear absent is Andy but if you look really closely behind my right shoulder you'll notice this whitish blob. Andy got to make it in the picture after all. I think that's his thumb. He said he thought the only chance he had of getting in the picture was to reach his hand way up and that does resemble his glove. The rest of us are all there and visible though so if you need a refresher, just scroll up and read the names again...



After at least 1.5hrs. of running up and down hills, sliding, going off cliffs, screaming, laughing, cackling, needing to pee and running out of jungle juice, it was time to go home. Everyone crammed back in vehicles again (made easier with tubes deflated) and headed for Liss and Darcy's. Janna, Tasha and Corey unfortunately had to be on their way but we still managed to push onward. What brave little soldiers we are.

I snapped a few shots around the table when we got back and this is what I managed to capture. Not bad considering I wasn't too far off of having to close one eye to focus.

This picture of Andy cracks me up 'cause it makes me think of that commercial, "Do you have a job for someone like me?" Hey, if I have to explain, you wouldn't understand...



In getting to know Andy better, it seems we haven't scared him off too badly, he came back. Atta boy Andy, you're a good sport with a thick skin. Two important traits when you're gonna hang out with us. It also seems that Andy's going to allow some snoring video to be captured. We do have a camp trip coming up this weekend and they're supposed to be joining us so I'll put my camera to good use then. Don't worry Andy, nothing'll be posted without your permission. So far though, even being allowed to take video's a step in the right direction.

Heehee, it also seems that Andy's the latest victim to fall in to the, "I'll make breakfast," trap. We called them at noon and there was no answer.

'Til next time...