A New and Delightful Discovery

Sledding!!! Oh, if only I could capture the sheer joy and delight of the last few days outside in the snow...and put it in a bottle for the rainy days when we're stuck inside. Our neighborhood has become a winter wonderland. Since the snow storm hit a few days ago, Mark and I have been getting our much (overdue) needed exercise by pulling Ashenafi up and down the street on the saucer. We also have a big hill nearby and we've been reliving our childhoods sledding down it with Ashen on our laps.

Today Heidi came over and took these great pictures of him (and T and M) and attempted to build a snowman with Ashen, but the snow is still too powdery because it's frigid. He NEVER complains that he's too cold, despite his lack of proper foot attire (what? A plastic back over running shoes doesn't constitute a snow boot in 29 degree weather?) and often chattery teeth. He's quick to jump into the bathtub or under a warm quilt when the sledding adventure is over! Sidenote: It's funny how we Northwesterners often don't invest in snow attire (unless we're ski/snowboard bums) even though we live sooo close to the mountains, because it snows so infrequently that it's often a waste of $$ to deck a kid out in snow gear when he probably won't wear it before he outgrows it!

And then there is sweet T, teething and all, trying to stay warm in daddy's pouch. Don't worry, he wasn't out long without a hat!

We're enjoying the snow while it lasts. We haven't seen anything like this since we were kids, and it reminds us of the storm we always refer to whenever big snowstorms come up...the winter of '86 (or thereabouts). Hope everyone is staying warm!