#TheOtherSochi and Scoots Birthday Fiesta!

We are truly grateful for recent adventures and celebrations shared with fabulous friends.

A group of our Charleston pals takes an annual ski vacation out West but planned an Alps trip this year so we could join them!  

Jon & Sabrina (above) were determined to find the perfect ski haus and organized our magical mountain vacation

Soldenalp, our private Ski Haus, easily slept 15 of us and was equipped with a theatre room, game rooms, and 2 bars with Stiegl kegs replenished daily by Gunther, a jovial Austrian.

Billiards & Foosball room above, another room to right had a ping pong table where I was victorious

 Many nights we cheered as we watched the Winter Olympics (free broadcast from Canada).  USA men's domination of "slopestyle" was great timing since we were "shredding" all week.  Paul coined the trip #TheOtherSochi which eventually led to #TheBetterSochi.

The conditions were perfect in Ishgl and I really enjoyed the sunshine and fresh powder. 

 Ishgl (so many consonants) was an interesting ski resort because it bordered Switzerland and offered wide open pistes (trails), posh dining spots, and hilarious apres ski bars.

Me and Sabrina (about to pour herself some bubbles)

The next day, our entire crew went skiing and boarding in St Anton, Austria.

Megano', Connor, Cara, C Paine, Paul, Joe, Mariel, Scott, Carly, Jamie, Roseanne, Sabrina, Ben, John, Meredith

Later, our group reunited at famous Moosewirts.  Moosewirts lived up to it's reputation as the prime apres ski bar with smoke machines, techno beats, and wild Europeans shooting Jager and dancing on tables.

Such lovely photogenic Euro photo bombers in the background - Cheers!

After fun filled exhausting days, some of us crashed early (even during dinner). 

Sleepy Sabrina and her romantic boyfriend on Valentine's Day

Our final day, was spent on the slopes of Solden.  

The views were incredible as far as the eye could see!

Scoots & Me both sporting helmets and feeling safe and warm

C Paine enjoyed reading the piste map and was willing to stick to the "blue" (easiest) slopes so we had fun skiing together and searching for fresh powder.

Me (on left) with C Paine aka Charlsie (right) thankful Solden was NOT crowded

After splitting up on the slopes, our crew always found each other at ski huts for refreshments like goulash, wieners, and carbs galore. 

Sabrina, C Paine (sporting patriotic sweater), Carly & Paul (a perfect pair thanks to my matchmaking expertise) and Jon

Our final apres-ski began at the Electronic Music Festival which had live DJs entertaining all afternoon at the top of the gondola (mid mountain).

Bottom of pic is a huge crowd of skiers and boarders partying to live music that we could hear from a distance

Scoots excited for mid-afternoon dance party in paradise

Mariel feeling the music

There were no casualties until poor John wiped out at the end of the last day. He tore 3 ligaments in his shoulder but at least he doesn't need surgery.

Jon remained in good spirits and was treated to many shots of Jager and Schnapps during apres-ski

The next morning, we went to the nearby Aqua Dome Spa.

Circular thermal baths above - 1 has sulphur water and 1 has salt water

Jon and Sabrina deserved some relaxation after the stressful day at the medical clinic

Jon, Sabrina, Connor, Mariel, and Roseann enjoying thermal bath

Steam rising off the hot salt water pool into the fresh alps air

Fun times with underwater cameras

Last weekend, Scott turned 33 so we invited our friends and all of our neighbors to come over and celebrate.  I was happily surprised that many of our neighbors actually came (since I left them hand written notes (dictated by Scott in German) that were a bit of a mystery to me).

Andreas (left)  lives in our building one floor above us and in the past year we have never met until the party

Another special guest was our pal Moose.  Moose (his nickname since birth when we actually weighed 15 ounces) entered our apartment wearing a bright red cape and fresh snazzy socks.

Moose shared his cape with Super Scoots (who made all the guests remove their shoes at the door)

 Our generous Italian neighbors, Antonio and Donatella, brought a huge tray of bruschetta and heavenly cheese which was made on his mother's farm in Sorrento.  Trying to communicate with a unique blend of Spanish and Italian was so fun that I forgot to take pictures of the Italians, high-school sweethearts, who we plan to invite over again soon.

We whipped up delicious White Russians, Vietnamese spring rolls (awkward looking but tasty), and Mariel brought her award-winning guacamole.

I introduced the Italians and Germans to a taste of "Merica" with Cracker Barrel's Vermont Sharp Cheddar Cheese

The birthday boy specifically wanted a "dance party" so we served lots of alcohol and moved the furniture around to create a "dance floor".

Notice the Wagners (from Tash's wedding) supervising from the couch

The dance party (and the birthday boy) was hilarious but not long-lasting.
Christine (just the HR manager at Scott's company) clearly amsued by his antics

Scott started the night "DJ-ing" from the laptop and ended his bday in the same spot.

Thanks to everyone who joined us to celebrate and for all the lovely gifts.  We are excited to try the variety of wines, beer and "unique" bottles of booze.

Homemade schnapps from German Frank's distillery in his buddy's basement