A Taste Of Cold

With Christmas landing on a Thursday it allowed Doug to have a full 5 days off of work. I think this is the first time in history he actually had that many days off in a row without taking vacation. I thought it would make him a little crazy being around that long (he actually really enjoys his work, which I am SO grateful for) We decided to take a spur of the moment trip up to the cabin so the kids could actually play in snow. Weather reports of snow were expected all week up north so we were certain that the cabin would have some fresh powder to play in. We left late Friday afternoon with a packed car full of warm clothes prepared for white winterland.

My boys hanging out with Uncle Dean

We arrived in Payson, then into Pine all to see melted ice along the road. I'll admit we all had a sense of disappointment since the kids REALLY wanted to see and play in snow. Luckily, 5 more miles is all we needed and we hit snow at last in Strawberry, AZ. The Clouse cabin is up on a hill, so the kids had a complete driveway for sledding all the way down.

Weston was by far the most dare-devish one.
It didn't phase him riding down the mountain like this. Crazy kid.

Taylor and Jared heading for the homemade mogle.

Jared catching some air

We bundled the kids up, but obviously not enough it wasn't more than 10 minutes before Jared came in the house screaming bloody murder that his hands burned. (Note to self...I guess we really should have invested in some GOOD gloves). Once that issue was resolved he was back to himself and was back outside with BETTER gloves this time to keep his hands warm and dry. Incident #2 happened with Weston. I bow down to all of you who live in this stuff all winter. I was exhausted doing it for just 2 days!

Bundling up for the umpteenth time
Love those cabin hand me down gloves (I think they are from the 70's)

As for me, I decided to stay indoors (where it was 60 degrees--still FREEZING to me) rather than braving the outdoor, 18 degree icy snow weather. I am pretty much a snow snob when it comes to that type of weather. If it's not powder or I am not on a lift, it's not to enjoyable in my book. We consumed probably a gallon of hot cocoa in a two day period. We ate, bundled up by the fire, ate some more, and relaxed. All and all we had a great time, Just to show you how much fun Doug had, here is his personal sled ride. Yet another reason I just LOVE this guy!