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Our Crazy Group of Friends
(L to R:  [back row] Kelly, Quinn & Rick Cunningham; Jodi, Rhonda & Leslie Johnston; Bobby & Ryan Robison, April
[front row] Chuck Johnston, Karlie [age 5], John, & Kaitlyn [age 2 1/2]

In January 2004, we started planning our Big Bear Trip for February – a three-day weekend with the Cunninghams, Johnstons, and Rob & Ryan Robison to celebrate Kelly Cunningham’s 40th birthday.  On Super Bowl Sunday, the weekend before the big trip, we planned our meals (we certainly would not go hungry!). 

Only three days away from home and look at all that stuff!

Karlie is Ready to Goooooooo!

"Our" House for the Weekend - the Rice Retreat

A couple days before the big weekend, it snowed in Big Bear leaving behind 12 inches of fresh snow just for us! On Friday, February 6th, we headed to the hills at 10:00 in the morning. The sky was blue and crystal clear.  We arrived at Big Bear around 12:30, just in time to have a scrumptious lunch at the Old County Inn on Big Bear Blvd.  Afterwards, we headed over to Blue Skies Vacation Rental to pick up the key to our humble abode for the weekend – the Rice Retreat, which is a newer, beautiful 2-story, four bedroom, 2 1/2 bathroom home, complete with game/play room located about 300 yards from the Snow Summit entrance. We were in heaven.

Leslie Johnston & Quinn Cunningham -- Our First Adventure in the Snow

There was lots of snow on the ground, so that afternoon, the kids had a ball playing in the backyard – we tried to build a snowman, but the snow was just too soft. We made snow cones instead, a tradition that John carried down from his childhood. That evening, we stayed at the cabin, played foosball and just talked while the fire in the fireplace roared on for hours.

Whooooaaaa!  That's John & Karlie!

On Saturday, we had one of Kelly’s fabulous breakfasts, including cinnamon french toast, bacon, and mimosas. We needed energy food because our outing that day was to find a place to toboggan (while Rob and Ryan went skiing at Snow Summit.) Chuck found a great place for us just a couple miles away and we had a fabulous time riding down the small hills. Quinn (almost 4 years old) loved it – he made several runs by himself. Kaitlyn (age 2 1/2) tried it twice with me and was done for the day. She was very clingy, but said she liked the snow. Karlie (almost 5) rode down several times with daddy before venturing out on her first solo ride. The weather was perfect – there were just a couple fluffy clouds in the sky and the temperature was in the mid-40’s. We had a ball.

Here I come! ~Kelly Cunningham

The Group After a Tough Day of Sledding

Afterwards, we headed back to the cabin for lunch and naps. Rob and Ryan met us there to take a short break from the slopes. While the kids napped, the girls took Kelly shopping at the Village for her birthday. That evening, we fixed a feast and enjoyed the companionship of our close friends. We also celebrated Kelly’s birthday with gag gifts and a special cake made by Rhonda – complete with black and white frosting.

John & Kelly -- Happy 40th Birthday, Kelly!

The next morning was Sunday and it was time to pack up and head home. We worked great as a team getting our car loads of stuff packed and the house put back together again. We left Big Bear at 11:00 and made it home by 12:30. It was a wonderful weekend. On the drive home, we were able to communicate using our walkie-talkies – we started planning our next trip to Big Bear.  Yes, there will certainly be a next!

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