Sledding

January was the month of SNOW! There wasn't a day in January that we didn't have snow somewhere in our yard, which hasn't really happened since we moved in. And this year, since I wasn't pregnant and there was lots of snow, I took the kids sledding to our neighborhood park--the first time since moving in five and a half years ago. We even made it there again a few weeks later. That's some real records going on here!

The first time was on the 3rd of January. Michael was out playing with a friend, and she had the idea to go up to the park. My one and only new year's resolution was to say yes more to my kids, so even though it was really close to dinner time, I decided, "Why not?" So I told them I was going to hurry and get snow clothes on and go with them. It took me FOREVER to get my boots on thanks to my surgery, but we were finally ready to head up to the park when Brian pulled in to the garage. So I said, "Come with us!" He hurried to put on clothes and Michael was grateful that Brian was faster than me. We got up to the hill and my neighbor and friend yelled to me, "Didn't you just have a hip replacement?" And I laughed and felt so awesome being up there doing something that I love so much...and then I slipped and tweaked my hip a little, so I stuck to the little slope with Gabe.

Here's our epic run:

Rachel was out with my dad, who had come for a quick visit to take my mom to the SLC airport. When they got back, they came up to the park and we convinced her to do a run with Michael and Gabe. We wrapped her up in my coat since she didn't have snow clothes.  They ended up crashing on the little slope, and there were tears from Gabe and Rachel. We went home after that. (It was way past the time that I had intended to go home, but I was loving being outside SO much!)

We went up again on the 21st. This time, Rachel had snow clothes and I left Gabe at home napping with Brian. I even did a few of the bigger runs. I watched with jealousy as some of the kids got rides back up to the top by their dad driving a four-wheeler. It brought back so many wishes from my youth of having a snowmobile or a four-wheeler. I suppose it was good for me to have the hefty workout!

 Rachel didn't want to do much sledding, and certainly not on the bigger hill, but I think she enjoyed being outside as well.

 I thought I'd see more people I knew up there, since it is our HOA park, but I think a lot of people came from other places because it was a few hours before we saw someone we knew...Michael's friend Ella!

They had fun racing and riding together. And, all too soon, it was time to head home. Sometimes I forget that I love the outdoors so much. I was so happy to have these two excursions. It made the snow worth it!