Sledding in Iowa

Sledding was by far the favorite activity of the kids-they had been waiting forever for snow in St. Louis and we hadn't gotten ANY, though we did finally get some last week here. They could stay out in the snow forever, way longer than Nile or I have any desire to be out in the cold. Well, Nile has actually been fantastic at hanging out with them outside...me, not so much. This was day two of sledding, and I missed day one to meet with a dear friend, so there are no pics from that first day. I hear it was amazing, especially seeing Papa Jim get some serious air after going over a snow ramp. What I wouldn't give to have seen that:) Here are a few pics from day two.

All decked out in snow gear and loving it.

Such a trooper at pulling her own sled up, except for

the two times Gabe asked her if she wanted him to
pull her up the hill on her sled. He is way too sweet

to her sometimes-I finally told him he didn't need to offer

anymore because it was killing the poor little guy.

Aunt Sarah is brave!

Josie and Aunt Sarah

This ride was a little painful over bumps:) Sixty-nine very

solid pounds on my back was a good one-time event, not to

be soon repeated. The next ride down alone, I crashed into a

metal fence post and had shoulder pain for a good week. Josie

asked me when I got back to the top of the hill, "Why didn't

you roll off, mom?!" We had talked to them a lot about bailing

out before you hit a tree, fence, etc. and I didn't follow my own

advice. It was a super fun day at any rate!