Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

The first few times Hannah saw snow, she really liked the IDEA of it, but wasn't too crazy about actually INTERACTING with it. So, our snowplay was limited to ooh-ing and ah-ing out the window and watching others play. Last year she did get out in her cousins' front yard and play, so that was fun.

When we drove into town last weekend, both of the girls were just going nuts with all of the snow, so we've all been chomping at the bit to get out and play. We were finally able to get out with the whole gang - Grammy, Grandpa, Uncle Adam, Aunt Leanna, Rachel, Jared and the four of us.

There's nothing like watching things through the eyes of your child to bring back the joy and magic of seemingly simple, everyday things - like snow:

The joy of snow!!

One of the nicest parts about the day was that it was 55 degrees, so it wasn't freezing cold and impossible to have fun. We all actually got HOT! So, it was nice to spend some time basking in the sun:
After taking in the sights of snow as far as the eye could see, basking in the sun, and sizing up the "mountain", we got down to business. Hannah was the first to take on the hill:

"Uhhh....I changed my mind!!"


"That was COOL!!!!!"

Cailyn was next to go. Now, if you don't know already, Cailyn is our daredevil child. She takes on challenges you'd think would terrify her. On the other hand, there are things that scare the bujeezers out of her that you wouldn't think would be anything at all, especially compared to the things that she's NOT afraid of (for instance, she's SERIOUSLY afraid of sharks; I mean it; don't even say the word around her; but that's another post).

Cailyn's stoked; Mommy's freaking out that Daddy's not riding with her



Mommy thinking, "ACK!! I TOLD him to ride with her!!"

"That was AWESOME, Mom! Isn't there a bigger hill around here??"

Next up it was Mommy's turn!

And now for Daddy!!

There was another HUGE hill that I'm not sure how it got there. If it's snow that had been plowed up or what, but it was huge. And it was FAST. But the kids had a blast crawling all over it as well as careening down it!

The mountain climbers at work

"HA, HA, HHAAA!!!"

Cousin Rachel rejoicing over a good run

Cousin Jared was pleased a well

It was fun watching all the kids play, and it was neat to sit back and see how they solved problems unique to snow. After a tandem ride down the big hill, Hannah decided to pull Cailyn to "shore" so she wouldn't have to walk in the deep snow. So sweet!!

We actually have about 10 shots of this whole process, but I chose this one b/c it shows the adoring look Cailyn usually has for her sister.

Hannah being "sneaky" throwing a snowball at Mommy (notice Uncle Adam in the background...)

Hannah kept asking to go down the BIG hill on her tummy. We finally said ok, but told her to be sure to hold her head up so she wouldn't hit her chin on the rim when she hit a bump. Boy, did she EVER hold it up!!

Can't you just hear the giggle??

Catching some air!

Our little snowbunny

Daddy taking a ride with Cailyn

Rachel and Jared in action

Hannah and Cailyn getting ready to ride down the BIG hill

Yee Haw!!

Rachel and Cailyn go for it on the smaller hill

"MEDIC!"

Just kidding, Grandpa was just pulling her up the big hill

Jared flying!!

Hannah flying!!

Several hours of sledding, lugging yourself up hills, rolling in the snow, walking knee-deep in snow, over and over will work up a heaft appetite, so it was time for a little pic-nic.

The "pic-nic tables"

After a hearty lunch of McNuggets and some rest in the shade, the kids made it clear they wanted to continue to fun and sled some more. The grown-ups of the group thought the kids might be a bit tired and cranky, but they assured us they were ready to go:

After such a convincing display, we decided they could each have a couple more runs before we called it a day.

Daddy and Cousin Jared go for a run

Daddy takes another ride on the fast sled

And the day finished off with Grandpa taking a final run down the Big One.

It was an awesome day! The only major problem we had was that Mommy forgot the cardinal rule of snowplay - sunscreen!! Yikes! But other than a few rosey cheeks, most of us got away unscathed (except for poor Jared. You may have seen some scrapes on his face from where he biffed it pretty good, but he looked good doing it!)