90 minutes of sledding = loads of fun and one sore bum

We live on a hill.  Well, our backyard is a hill.  We don't like teeter on the top of a hill which is what that first sentence seems to imply to me.  When you go out our back door, you are on the deck and then you have to go down the steps to reach the grass.  This type of yard drives me absolutely nutso.

However.

It does have its advantages.  Like in the summer and winter.

It makes for a fantastic sledding hill and a great spot to place a slip and slide.  And since we get loads of snow in the winter and hot hot temps. in the summer I suppose we are in just the right spot to raise up these kids in the backyard.

The sun was shining so brilliantly yesterday.  Sara and took to our slope and I tell you what, we had a ton of fun.  Our hill is like its never been before.  It comes complete with three jumps (hence the sore bum) and lots of speed.  This is what we say on the way down, "oh man, Oh Man, HOLLLLDDDD OOOOONNNNN!"  I am so surprised that Sara has never fallen off.  She is a little daredevil when it comes to sledding.

When the big kids came home and I went out again but with both girls.  Seriously fun.  Sun started to set and I thought, wow, this has just been fantastic.  And there is something so relaxing about laying down in the snow.  I'm not sure what it is.  But it's quiet, the trees are bare, and you're just there.  And then my 3yr. old comes over to me and says "Mom, open your eyes!!"  I laughed.  We've been having fun these winter days.

Matthew and I are missing our outdoor ice rinks this year.  The winter here has been on the mild side and simply not suitable for keeping ice frozen.  I have a feeling the skates will have to be put away and we'll just have to wait until next year.

So, I'm glad we at least have our sled hill.

Fashionista...

If you know be but at all, you'll know I'm a jeans and a t-shirt gal.  I'm not one to get fancied up everyday.  I don't need to "put on my face before I can go out", I can look nice when I need to but really, I prefer to be casual. 

So when my 6yr. old comes to me asking if I can wear my jeans skirt and black sweater like her so we can be twins, I oblige.  Even in the middle of winter with snow on the ground.  I wore knee high socks like her and my tall snow boots.  Can you just picture it?  I thought it actually turned out pretty well with the snow boots but I'm sure black heel boots would've been more classy.

But remember?  I'm not really classy on a day to day basis.  In fact every Sunday before we go to church I'm amazed at the outfit I've pulled together.  I usually exclaim to Jim, "can you believe I did this?" :)  It's the truth.

Now that that's out of the way.

Ella Jane has a new talent.  Thanks to her new crafting beads; thank you grandma she is loving them.  She is up to about 11 or 12 of these beauties.  I want to say she calls them "things" but somehow that doesn't sound right.  Shoot I wish I remembered.  {sidenote: we have about 6 clear beaded icycles that we hang on the tree every year.  She mentioned that next year we could use her "things" because they are more colorful.}

Isnt' she fantastic?  I love her sense of creativity.

Kissed by the snow...

...and then some.  Not a ton of snow, but certainly enough to make for a great day of sledding.  I'm in love with the memories we made today.  I'm in love with the photos I captured today.  I'm in love with the fact that my kids got some quality outside playtime today.  It's days like this when I love being the mom I am.

I'm so gaga after these photos.  You'd think I'd just had a baby or something.  But seriously, so proud of my Team Gunn today.  That's what we call ourselves.  Do you call your family something?  We say Team Gunn whenever we're looking for a team effort like when the house has been turned on its side and needs a major pickup.  Or when we have super behavior from the kids.

Go Team Gunn.

Today was one of those days.  Everyone gets a clip on their cup.  I'm glad I mentioned that because I don't think I've ever written it before.  It's the reward system we use in our house.  It's been a useful tool for over 2yrs. now. 

Good behavior = a clip on your cup. 

10 clips = suprise box.

Surprise box= most of us gathered around the "winner" to see what they choose.

One of those days when I take a second out of making dinner to scream out the window..."woo, woo, woo, woo, woo, woooooooooo!  Way to go Ella Jane!!!!!!!!!!" after a really cool run down the sled hill.

Without further ado.  Our photos.

Did you notice Sara sticking out her tongue?  She had so much fun today.  Far cry from last year when she was so very frightened by sledding.  Glad she's turned that corner.  And that one of her on her belly with the feet?  Those are Matthew's feet but they kind of look like they might pass for hers.

Last week we were tromping around in mud. 

We had fun doing that too, but so very thankful for the snow!!!