Winter Break 2009-2010

So far this semester has been nothing but busy.  Over winter break,  I was in Phoenix for a few weeks where I spent a lot of time with my family and Cory's Family.  The picture below is from New Year's Eve with Cory's Family and Erin.  

I went to Vail with friends and had a great time snowboarding.  I probably wouldn't recommend Vail to other snowboarders as it's trails are better fit for skiing.  Colorado is BEAUTIFUL.  We stayed right on the mountain at some timeshares called Apollo Park, courtesy of Cal!  During this trip, Cory and I learned more about the value of 4 wheel drive.  I don't know if you can see from the image below, but the parking lot is a little slopped and it was very cold and snowing and icy the whole time we were there.  Cory and I tried taking my car out of the parking lot one time and I was able to back up, but unable to get up the slope that was a parking lot.  Cory had to push my car back into the parking spot and I'm sure he could have pushed it all around the parking lot.

One interesting thing about my car is that its AWD and while on the ice, only the front wheels would spin.  I dont know too much about all-wheel and four-wheel drive, but I guess when slipping in AWD, the back tires hold you place so you don't lose traction on all wheels.  

After snowboarding in Vail, I dropped Cory off at the Denver Airport and picked up Candace in Denver!  She was there and visiting Jenny!!!  We got to hang out with Jenny for a while before making our way to 

VEGAS!!

That's right lady and gents!  It was a girl's weekend in vEgAs :-)

One the road trip, we stayed in this little town in Utah.  We had breakfast at the only restaurant in the town that was right on the river.  Here is the view from our breakfast table :-)

We stayed at Casino Royale and got a smashing deal on the place.  One the way to Nevada, Candace and I thought of this great idea to save money by buying microwavable meals and eating in the hotels before we went out.  Well guess what?  Hotels in vegas dont have microwaves, but that doesnt stop up.  Instead, Candace attempts to make velvetta cheese and shells in a coffee maker.  You can see the results below:

I think she left them in the coffee pot for too long.

Here is a picture out us on the first night out.  I guess you can't take pictures in Casinos because I don't know why, so we really only have a few that we weren't in casinos.

Overall the trip was super fun and I definitely got my needed Candace-Carmen bonding time.  Hopefully we can make a trip over winter break a tradition.