Winter Fun

We definitely had a white Christmas! We had plenty of snow over the week long holiday. It pretty much snowed the whole time we were there. We had to dodge between terrible storms to get to Boise and back. We came home to over two feet of snow and wonderful neighbors who had shoveled all of that white powder into huge mountains alongside our driveway for us. When I was packing, I was uncertain if I should bring all the snow boots, hats, gloves, scarves, coats and so on (knowing that Boise isn't all that snowy). Our car was overflowing to the brim as it was (what with Christmas presents and all), and winter gear for six kids takes up a lot of space. I was happy that I did, however, as they had tons of fun play with Old Man Winter.

On Monday, Joe, Randon, Spence and Kerri took some of the kids sledding. They scouted out a great location not far from home. Ammon, Lizzie, Addie, Karl, Sydney and Preston went along for some adventure. The other kids were either too young (as deemed by their mothers) or too nervous to go. They were the only ones at the hill and had a fantastic time. Randon built up some jumps for them to go off and they all played until their toes were frozen. Joe says it was his favorite part of the whole week!

Karl and Lizzie seem to have "A Christmas Story" type of parents...all bundled up for sledding

On a hill
Ammon and Karl

Randon and Lizzie

Karl-Guy with his dad

Ammon

The dads said cute little Lizzie was fearless. She would fly down the hillside and even went off the jumps

Uncen Spence. Joe's camera batteries died before Kerri and the kids showed up. He said Sydney was so cute, though, and would completely lay down in the sled and tightly shut her eyes the whole way down. Wish I had a picture of that. :)

Lizzie races back for some more. Once or twice, she flew down the mountain so fast that her entire face was covered in snow.

Randon with Addie Rose

Even though not all of the kids went sledding, they all spent their fair share of time out in the snow. One day, the kids were playing in Nana's yard. As I stood watching them out the window, I saw little Sydney with a snowball. She pulled back and threw it right at her much bigger cousin, Ammon. He turned around, surprised, and then chucked one right back at her. My motherly instincts were horrified (she is a tiny three year old girl pitted against a big old 11 year old boy), but Sydney just giggled in delight and ran off for some more snow. What a spunky gal!

Sydney and Hannah with the Baby Snowman they made

Cutie Hannah Bay

Emma and Sydney

Ammon

That is a big snowball!

Caleb was our one exception to the snow. He is our mega outside guy. He would play out there from dawn until dusk if I let him. The first time it snowed, he rushed out to play. He stayed out about five minutes and decided he hates the cold. He absolutely refuses to go out in the snow. Who would have guessed?