The Schmidt kids all in a row……

Taos, New Mexico.

Ever heard of it? Neither had I.

So when my friend Brian invited me to go skiing there with him and some friends, I declined. You can ski in New Mexico? Wasn’t that one border short of Tijuana? This is what I wrote after the fact: “No we weren’t sunbathing in Mexico… NM = a US state & yes it has snow!”

My family intervened and used me as a bargaining chip to take a “Brian-approved” Schmidt family vacation to the slopes. Brian enthusiastically agreed.

So I found myself, one snowy week in mid-February (pure coincidence by the way), on the steep, gorgeous mountain of Taos with this new-ish friend of mine & my whole family (nephews & all!).

What had Brian gotten himself into? As it turns out, a whole lotta fun!!

Taos magic was happening… but it took me 2 more years to get the memo.

That trip sparked something in my heart towards this guy I’d always seen as a friend. Seeing him up & at ’em early each morning, frying eggs & bacon for my whole family… taking charge on the slopes…. taking us around town & introducing us to the best Taos has to offer…. it was like my eyes were opened for the first time to how awesome he was. Brian was such a gentleman & my family adored him.

One of the highlights was sitting with him at the mountain’s famous Bavarian Inn, surrounded by my family, sitting on lambskins (yes, really!) & sharing large pints (or tiny glasses of vino). We aren’t big drinkers, but Brian assured us that it was a must at this place. When in Rome…

Us being Germans!

Future siblings-in-law! Taos, NM (Feb. 2009)

I never would’ve dreamed that less than two years later, this newly-engaged woman would get injured on those same slopes & decide to exchange vows with that same guy in that same town. What a lucky girl!!

New Years Day 2011 (Our Wedding Day) – Taos Town Square

Today Taos holds new Christmas memories for us with his family & our puppies, our church family, and hopefully in years to come our own family. I am so thankful for this place that’s brought such a wonderful man into my life and joined two families into one.

Brian’s new cross-country skis, Christmas 2012!

Taos. It rhymes with “house”, and that’s what we are now making together 🙂

Taos Mountains, Christmas morning 2012