snow day

Friday we headed out of town for an overnight adventure. We were ready for some fun in the snow. I packed our snow gear and off we went. (Props go to Todd, who had just returned home from a 4 hour drive, for hopping right back in to another drive without complaint)

We stayed at my mom's house in Pine where she had dinner waiting for us and some snow boots for the kids. She has a huge Great Dane named Merlin that *surprise!* I love. He's the size of a small horse, but so sweet with the kids and he kept resting his big heavy head in my lap, trying to coerce me into loving him. I am most definitely not a lover of animals, but as long as I'm not the one cleaning up after him, Merlin's my favorite.

One of Todd's buddies from high school, David, and his wife Emalie, met us the next day for some most excellent tubing. Their 2 girls have never been to the snow before... child abuse, I know. As we drove, it looked certain that we were too late for any of the good snow. But we drove further north and we did find some just north of Strawberry at the Gravel Pits. All the kids were giddy with excitement. Taylor and Paige wasted no time at all and took the runs with hills to 'catch some air'. Paige favored going down on her knees on the cheap plastic disc. Then daddy told her how unsafe it was and insisted she go down 'legs crossed'. This was the result:

Ooh! I guess it's stating the obvious to say that she was quite irked with her daddy and after drying a few tears, she went back to her tried and true method.

Once Taylor mastered the hills, he started up a relentless snowball fight with David, who patiently took the abuse. Briefly. Then he unleashed his retribution:

We took Gabriel down several times and he love love loved it. He didn't get a chance at too many runs, though, because his parents are weak and it wasn't easy lugging him and the tube and ourselves up the hill.

He was frustrated with not being able to walk very steadily in the uneven, slippery snow with his clonker pink snow boots on, but was a good sport and kept busy with eating lots of snow (it's ok, it wasn't yellow). Personally, I was a bit relieved that I didn't have to chase after him all day.

We had a great time and took a zillion pictures. There were a few minor collisions and several casualties that were quickly mended with a little TLC. The fun was over, though, once Taylor's socks were soaking wet. He was the only one we couldn't find snow boots for, and would not have it when I suggested we get him pink boots (Gabriel had no choice) - so he was stuck wearing hiking boots. His poor little tootsies were freezing.

We said goodbye to our friends and went back to Mom's where again a delish dinner was waiting for us (I love that). Taylor thawed his toes by the fire and we drank hot chocolate before heading home. The kids repeatedly expressed their displeasure at having to leave so soon, but I consider a family trip a success when there have been more smiles and giggles than whining. I'd say this one qualified.