Christmas Sledding

On Christmas day we were able to drive up to Heber Valley Camp where my parents are currently serving a mission and spend the day with all of my family.  It was so great to have all of us together for an extended time and sit around and talk and joke and laugh together.  We don't seem to be able to do that as much now that we are all adults and living separately.  

While we were waiting for dinner to cook we took the opportunity to go out sledding.  We all donned our cold weather gear and headed out to the road.

Sam borrowed some of Dad's things.
They were just a 'tad' too large. 

Just getting started.  L to R Jen, Nathan (playing air guitar0,
Emilie (Caleb's girlfriend), Caleb, and Sam.

We would slide/scoot ourselves "down" the road.  (It was not much of a hill) and then our parents would tow us back up the road with their 4X4.

I quickly decided that tying my sled to the rope was much easier then
trying to hold on as the rope was strung between the five of us.

We had a blast!  We may not have lasted for hours but with several runs up and down the road and a few snowball fights and wrestling matches we enjoyed ourselves and had a great time.

Holding on for dear life.

"Look Mom, no hands!"  And yes we were moving.

The aftermath of our adventures.  

Sledding Highlights: Both Caleb and Nathan fell off of their sleds; though Nathan managed to 'butt slide' while being pulled by the 4X4 for a surprisingly long time.  And I managed to hang on  while getting pulled through two feet of fresh powder.  At one point I think I had more snow piled-up on top of me and my sled then we had under it. 
P.S. Do you recognize the coveralls that Nathan is wearing Grandpa P?  He loves them and wears them often when weather permits/requires.  Thank you.  

After the sledding fun we hobbled back into the parents place for a warm dinner and our Christmas gift exchange.  All in all, I think that this was one of my favorite Christmas's; because it was simple, fun, and spent with family.  

Last but not least, unfortunately Jasper had to stay home and couldn't join us at camp but he was not left out of the gift exchange.  He loved his gift from Nana and Papa.

At first he wasn't sure what to do and why we were just watching him.

Then he started carrying it around the house.

And then finally he got down to business. 

We are very happy to report that he loved his giant bone and even with us limiting the amount of time he could spend gnawing on it, it is now long gone.

We hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas as well filled with warmth, family and fun.

Happy Friday!!