The Snow Blazers

I remember the laborious process of getting ready to sled ride when I was a kid. My mom had this idea that putting old bread bags on your hands and feet before you put on gloves and boots would help keep your hands and feet warm. (I am not sure it worked, but who is counting?) After we finally got suited up, it was usually mere minutes after being outside that the cold weather won and we quickly returned in the house.

This weekend, the boys had their chance at outdoor fun, and they lasted much longer than I did.

On Saturday, all three boys walked to the boys school to sled on the little hill in the backyard of the school building. This hill is the spot for fun where their gym classes come to sled ride in the winter months. Also, the 3rd and 4th graders are able to use the sleds to ride down the hill during recess as well. Here is Ev trooping up the little hill.

The boys lasted over an hour; long enough for me to trudge to the store so that we could have three sleds, one for each boy. Of course, the new sled quickly became the envy of all as it was FAST! Evan screamed at the bottom of the hill, "That was awesome" while he displayed rock star hands and shook his head.

Sunday, the weather was still forecasted to be tolerable, so after church I took the two older boys to the big watertower hill in the next town. This hill is significantly bigger than the Eagle Point hill. It actually reminds me of the hill from Christmas Vacation. . .They boys flew so fast and far down the hill, returning gleefully each time for more.

They loved to race each other. . .

Here is the long walk up. I took this picture when they were about halfway back up the hill. You can see the ledge they are walking on. As they go down the hill, all paths seem to lead to this ledge where they slide up on the side before continuing on down the hill.

Here is Andrew displaying the "fast sled." By the end of the trip, the boys rode together a few times. The first time they hit and bump and quickly dispersed off the sled. They were laughing and waving their hands in the air out of pure exhilaration.

I wimped out today long before they did. I was freezing. The wind was whipping across the top of the hill, and I wasn't moving like the boys. I continued the issue the "it's the last time" warning, while they implored for "one more time." Finally, I won out, but I think they had an amazing time.