Soccer for Ryder and Nash (August, 2015)

Ryder and Nash are in soccer for 2 days per week and they had their first games on Saturday. The South American boys really know how to play (it is like a religion down here), and after being in Australia for nearly 4 years and being inundated with cricket, rugby, and Aussie rules football, the boys are a bit behind with their soccer. They did pretty well for their first game and are picking it up quickly.

 Ryder and Nash, getting ready for their first game.

 Nash, in his game...dribbling the ball.

 Nash.

 Nash, trying to make his way through traffic.

 Nash, with his team.

 Nash, with all of the players.

 Ryder, playing midfield.

Ryder.

Scott and Toni visit Chile (August, 2015)

Cody's parents, Scott and Toni Whipperman flew down to Chile to visit for a few days. It's still winter here in Chile, so we decided to do some skiing. We went to two different ski resorts on consecutive days: Valle Nevado the first day (with just adults) and Portillo the second day (with the kids).  The weather was great at Valle Nevado...perfect spring skiing. Portillo was a bit overcast, so visibility was low, but there were no crowds and the kids really learned a lot and became much better skiiers.

 Eliza, getting psyched out over the unnecessary "solo expertos" sign.

 Lunch at the small restaurant at Portillo.

 Cody, above the frozen lake at Portillo.

 Cody and Eliza at Valle Nevado.

 Scott, Toni, Eliza, and Cody at the top of Valle Nevado...beautiful Andes Mountains in the background.

 Cody and Eliza at the top of Valle Nevado.

 Ski Chile! Toni, Eliza, and Cody at Valle Nevado.

 Ryder and Nash with grandma Toni and grandpa Scott at Portillo.

 Nash, looking good in his new gear.

The kids are ready to rock and roll at Portillo.

Getting pulled up the steep rope tows at Valle Nevado.

Riding the ski lift right over the cliffs at Portillo.

While Toni and Scott were in town, we went out to dinner a couple times and went for some walks around the neighborhood. They were here for only a short time, but we packed it in and made the most of it.

The windmill ("molino") by our house in Lo Barnechea, Santiago, Chile.

Teaching the kids to ski at Valle Nevado, Chile (August, 2015)

After the kids loved skiing at Chickadee (Snowbird) after they had a taste of it on a warm spring skiing day in Utah when we were visiting grandma Toni and grandpa Scott in April, we decided to do something we have wanted to do in a while, but, living in Australia for the past 4 years, have been really unable to do...teach the kids to ski. We bought ski packages (gear) for the whole family in Salt Lake City in July when everything was more than 50% off and packed it all up for Chile. 

We headed up to the mountains near our house in Lo Barnechea, Santiago, Chile to teach the kids to ski at Valle Nevado. The bigger kids (Ryder, Sawyer, and Nash) were hooked...they loved it and got better and better with each run. Zander's little legs were very tired and he pooped out after about an hour. It was a successful day and the beginning of a new hobby for the Whipperman clan.

 Everybody exhausted, but happy with their progress after their first real full day of skiing.

Valle Nevado is above the smog (and clouds) of Santiago, and a great breath of fresh air. It's only about an hour and a half from the house (if the traffic cooperates).