Just saw the link posted in this thread, thanks Christopher. I really hope this is a sobering story for others to read, with the intent of saving others from a similar experience by learning from my group's mistakes.
It is probably obvious to many that have read the story, but just in case: we were extremely lucky!!!! DO NOT expect similar luck; learn everything you can avalanche related and exercise much more common sense/risk management than was exercised by my group on that day.