SNOW!

Isaac got to see and play in snow for the first time in his life! He was not too sure about it when he was looking eye to eye at a snowbank when he got out of the truck, but he got used to it pretty quickly when he realized how much fun it was! (He did wipe out pretty badly on the ice at one point and screamed loudly, but he stayed outside to make snow angels, sled, and eat the snow.) The first couple days were cold, but things started melting by the final days so we were able to throw snowballs at each other and even make a snowman! As you can see from the picture below, he made a pretty good one-armed snow angel! :-)

Although we were home for Grandpa's funeral, we had a really nice weekend visiting with family and playing with everyone. Originally, I was going to only take Caleb with me but thought Isaac would love the time with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins so I took him with me, also. Yep, I am sure we were quite the sight--a harried woman hauling around a baby and a toddler and all the gear that goes with them through the airports and onto the planes (I actually forgot to put one of my carry-on pieces on the conveyor belt going through security since it felt as if I had already put so much up there by the time I took off Isaac's and my shoes and put each piece up one at a time). Fortunately, we eventually had seats and boarding passes for all of us and actually made it home. I was very thankful to have survived the journey and decided it was worth it so Isaac could spend the weekend with us. (Our trip home was uneventful unless you count a cancelled flight and sitting in the airport for five hours waiting for the next flight something of an event. ;-)

Once we got home, we were so blessed to visit with family and spend quality time with each other though we really missed having Grandpa there with us. It definitely was a sad weekend but also a neat time "hearing" Grandpa's testimony through the scripture and songs he picked for his funeral. Psalm 27:1 was the verse he wanted read and reflected on for his funeral. Throughout the weekend I was reminded of how thankful I am for the families God has given us--what a blessing it is to have parents and grandparents who taught me (and Paul) about Jesus and modeled unwavering faith in him! Seeing everyone on my dad's side of the family and a lot of family on my mom's side (including both my grandparents) and Paul's brother was the highlight of the weekend and such a joy!

The video below is of Isaac once he realized he could eat the snow. He liked it for the most part until he picked up a pile of snow with a little dirt sprinkled on the top of it.

We also got in some serious sledding--both being pulled and going down the hill. The video below is the second ride down the hill for Isaac. He went fearlessly down the first time not knowing what to expect--in fact, he copied his cousin and actually jumped in the sled and went down on his stomach! You should have seen his eyes. Sorry, I was not ready with the video for the first one. He did not want to go down this second time, but we got him to do it so we could catch it on video for Dad to see.

I feel better now that my child has experienced the snow. (I had a great time in it as well, but I do have to admit that it was nice to go back to temperatures in the mid-70's at home.) Paul was bummed that he did not get to come with us and was especially sorry to have missed the snow time--the girls' b-ball team had their final game over the weekend we were gone.