Winter Wonderland Part II

SLEDDING WITH PAPA

Ok, so that is the big question. . . sledding or sliding? I'm pretty sure I called it sliding when I was younger and living in Michigan, but this year I awkwardly heard myself saying sledding. Well, whatever it is, it's FUN!

Anyway . . . . I haven't enjoyed a Michigan winter in years and I don't remember the last time I went sledding. In fact the first time, Dad, Kris and I took the boys out we had a very hard time finding a place to slide. All the places I went as a kid were over grown with trees - amazing how that happens. I don't have pictures of that first adventure, though I wish I did. They will have to live forever in our memory only.

The next day, however we consulted Sally, whose mom happened to be in the know of where the teenagers slide these days. And so, that spot is where these pics were taken - by the new high school and behind the cemetery.

Kris and the boys coming up after their pioneer run where they blazed a trail for us.
Caius had the joy of being left behind with mom. He loved being outside and I loved looking at him all stuffed up in winter gear!

Kris brought his snowboard along this time and took a couple of runs down the hill.

Papa (my dad) with Trevor and Anderson. They went down so many times that day. They were trying to beat my record of furthest down the hill - but never did!

(Ryan was tired of climbing back up the hill, so he played in a snow fort at the top most of the time that day).

The BEST part about going down the hill with Papa!

A Winter Wonderland!

MICHIGAN IS THE WINTER WONDERLAND WHERE WE SPENT OUR CHRISTMAS VACATION!

As I began uploading photos, I realized just how many we had taken and how many fun things we did while in Michigan. We certainly enjoyed the outdoors! So, after beginning this post, I decided to make it the first part of our adventure.

PART I: Skiing and Ice Fishing with Grandma and Grandpa Johns



One of the boys' Christmas gifts from their grandparents was a day of skiing. The boys had never been skiing. Annie was excited to take them, because she taught all of her kids how to ski when they were little. And it was one of their favorite family activities in the winter.

Here is Annie with the boys. We were waiting for the boys to get fitted with skis.
Anderson getting his boots on and a little instruction for first-timers.

Daddy's ski camp at the top of the Bunny Hill.

Kris' cousin Brandee spent the afternoon helping Anderson learn to ski.

Ryan getting help from Grandpa

One thing for beginners: no poles - that would be too dangerous. Anderson was very disappointed with this. However, he was able to hold onto one of Grandma's like this and that helped a lot.

And here they are on their own. It was amazing to see the progress each of them was able to make by the end of our time on the mountain.

They DEFINITELY want to ski again, although next time Ryan wants to try snowboarding! Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for taking us skiing!

Something Kris' dad enjoyed doing in Michigan during the winter was ice fishing! He was excited to take the boys out on Lake Mitchell to do a little ice fishing. There were snowmobiles and four wheelers out on the ice that day, so it helped me to feel a little bit safer! In fact, I even enjoyed ice skating that afternoon out on the lake. I had forgotten how much I loved to do that! (Sorry, no pictures).

Here is Chad getting the holes ready for the boys to fish.

Ryan and Anderson getting ready to head out onto the ice. That speck to the left behind Ryan is Chad out on the ice. Sorry there aren't more pictures, but I was too busy ice skating and forgot to take my camera out.

Thank you to Aunt Mary and Aunt Patti for shoveling the snow to make an ice rink. We had such a wonderful time in Michigan! Look for more pictures soon, but that is all for now!