Fun in the snow

 Happy New Year!

We decided to venture up into the mountains on New Year's day to play in the snow.  It was so fun!  I'm not a person that likes to be cold, but I didn't mind this trip.  In fact, it was my idea, but when we got there and we were trying to get dressed in 15 degree weather, I wasn't so sure it was a good idea.  I asked "who's idea was this again" jokingly.  But, once we got those warm snow pants on we were good to go!  It's amazing how much of a difference those pants make!  Although I do have to remember THICK socks next year.  My toes were very much cold.  Oh, and don't try to look for snow pants for your child that has none on your way out of town because in January no stores carry them anymore even though it is the beginning of winter.  We tried 4 stores.  It made us late getting to the snow.  We know for next year.  I will buy them as soon as I see them put out in October :-)

I loved watching the kids play in the snow.  

I loved how beautiful it was.  

I loved the chill in the air and being all bundled up.  

I loved seeing the kids' face light up when we got there.

I loved the rosy cheeks.

 I loved the drive, and the warm truck.

I LOVED having hot chocolate at the end in the snow.

You know who didn't love it?

Alexander.

He was a good trooper, but he was crying by the time we were halfway through our hot chocolate, and didn't stop until we pulled out of the parking lot.  Poor guy.

Hope he loves it next year because I think we might make this our new tradition.

Enjoy the pictures of the snow!

Aaron digging a cave out while waiting for everyone.  He thought this was the coolest thing.  He is the one who we didn't have snow pants for, but he did pretty good.

walking to the sledding hill

April crashing at the bottom

Aaron looks a little worried in this picture, but he loved every minute.  He didn't love the snow up his shirt though.  Next year he'll like having snow pants.

April is so adorable

So are these guys.  This was pretty much Alexander the whole time...wanting to be held...by Daddy.  See the snow sticking to Aaron's pants?  I don't know how he didn't freeze.  His legs didn't even feel that cold, he just complained about the snow on his belly.  What a trooper.

It was so pretty to see all the snowed on trees.

More pretty trees all around us.

Aric was having fun walking up a little hill we were standing by.

Oh look Alexander is smiling!  He enjoyed the few times Daddy took him down on the sled, but that was it.

At the bottom.  Want to go again Alex?  "No"

We got to watch a beautiful sunset while sledding.

Interesting how the snow is on the side of this tree.

Another one of Aaron

There was so much snow on these trees.

Alex waiting while we get hot chocolate ready.  This was while he was whimpering a little, not fully crying yet.  I think he thought he would never be warm again, lol.

The snow bank in the parking lot was taller than them, they thought this was pretty cool.

Another pretty scene as the sun was going down.

Mmmm....hot chocolate.  Can't wait to warm the hands up.

I had some snacks of ham and cheese too.  He just wanted his fruit roll up.  Oh, and do you see that orange spot in the background?  That is the car next to us with a little fire going.  I so wanted to go stand in front of it.

Hot, hot water.

April was saying she was getting a little cold now.

Aaron stirring up his chocolate.

It was yummy!  It was getting really cold, and the sun was gong down.  Alex also started crying, so we didn't even really get to enjoy all of it.  I got about halfway through mine, and had to start loading up more so we could get him warm.  I loved it though, and so did Aric.

Driving home wasn't too bad.  It was so cold you could see the snow blowing across the road.

The traffic was pretty bad too.  We were stuck behind a long line of cars going back.  Lots of people were up at the snow that day apparently.

It was a fun family day.  I am looking forward to doing it again next year.  The kids are already asking to go sledding again, so we might even go again this winter, but somewhere closer.