california cousins + arizona cousins in the snow = lots of cold kids

In January we headed out with our Arizona cousins for a day of fun in snow.  Not sure how well we handled the cold but we still had a great time together.

Our outfits were hodge podge vogue - thrown together with bits and pieces of borrowed snow gear. Vans and converse were worn by many instead of snow boots with very fashionable plastic sacks used to keep out the wet, cold snow. Still not sure they were a success - we had lots of wet, cold feet.

We were grateful that Derek's boss offered up her cabin for the day.  It allowed us a warm place to hang out and place to make (& eat) warm food to ward off the chill.

Big thanks to our Arizona cousins for suggesting such a great outing.

let the christmas vacation posts begin

Here it goes - what used to be boring vacation slides in the good ol' days has turned into boring vacation posts on blogs - feel free to skim through the post stopping only when you feel a great desire to actually know what we're doing.

We were supposed to begin the long drive to Utah on Wed., December 17th but because of weather the Cajon Pass was closed as was I15 between Baker and the Nevada line.  We kept our eye on the weather and waited for the roads to open up and finally got on the road around 1pm on Thursday.  The plan was to stop halfway but we the weather was good and we had the energy to push through (amazing for us old people, huh?)  We finally pulled into Orem around 1am.

The kids wasted no time the next morning - they were up and out the door ready to experience snow.  The girls and Nate have been to the snow before but Nate remembers nothing and the girls don't remember much either.  

We pulled together some stylish snow outfits using snow clothes that my mom had picked up at various stores and from my little brothers closet (Derek and I took turns wearing my 14 yr old brothers camo pants - and if you are wondering....yes, we looked good in them!)  Megan wins for most stylish get-up.  She was looking pretty dang sweet in some way too short snow overalls and at beanie Derek brought back from Chile when he came home from his mission.

Snow balls fights started soon after we got outside.  I was spared because of the camera (at least for this first round of snow fun)

My brother Garin built this fun ramp in their backyard using an old swing set that was at the house when they bought it.  The kids were all game to try it until they got up to the top and then some nerves kicked in - not to worry though, after the first trip down they were sold and continued to sled own the ramp. 

Nate's first trip down (I know you're checking Derek out in those camo pants)...
Do you not love the shot below of him?!?!  Click on the picture to make it bigger so you can see his cute little face.
Emily's turn...
A spectacular finish to her ride.
Megan's first trip and I'm thinking she's having second thoughts...
Look at that Chilean beanie fly.
Like I said...she wins for most stylish outfit.  Look at it!  You know you are all jealous of it.
The first day out Luke was too nervous to do the ramp (He eventually got brave and then went on it a ton)  He was happy to spend his first day ever in the snow making snowballs and eating them.
How cute is he?  Seriously, his eyelashes, little tongue and cute cheeks that are starting to get cold.
Derek had to show off his sledding skills too.  Not sure what the face is about.  Maybe it's not the sled ride but the fact that he is a 6'4" grown man wearing a 14 yr old boys pants - that could be painful.

Of course there was some snow angel action going on too.

At the end of every snow adventure this was the scene...lots and lots of cold wet clothes dripping all over my moms dining room but also lots of happy chapped faces.