Some of the fondest memories from my childhood revolve around water skiing and the trips I’d take with my family to Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Sometimes we’d houseboat, other times we’d stay at the Desert Inn in Las Vegas and drive out to Mead every morning. We’d spend the day sunning and skiing, then drive back and stroll into the casino burnt and blown from the day, shower, sleep and do it all over again the next morning. We’d always go with the same family which was an extended part of our own and last year I got the opportunity to take Elle with me on a mini-trip to their competition lake outside of town. At one point I was skiing behind the boat watching Elle sit between the two people who taught me how to ski when I was her age-it was magical. She was pretty scared to get on the boat, but after some tender coaching she agreed and ended up loving it. Maybe this year, we’ll get her up on skis. Baby steps.