Let It Snow

For the second year in a row we had the opportunity to ring in the New Year in Pinetop. We brought along the Steven’s family to entertain us, and to keep our kids busy! Even better, Granny, Uncle Brian, Brendan and Maddie came up also, to stay with Grandpa Dan who lives in Show Low during the week for his job. Even with a car full of toys and games we were mostly looking forward to be able to play in the snow. We were slightly disappointed to arrive at the cabin and see only patches of snow, especially because Brendan and Maddie had never seen snow before! But the kids’ wish was granted the very next day when a storm blew in and covered everything with a white blanket. I am always so intrigued how all those tiny little flakes can create 2 feet of snow! There is nothing better than being able to watch a storm from inside a warm cabin through huge picture glass windows. The kids would disagree as they think it is much more fun to suit up and run around in the thick of it. I have been very impressed with how long they are able to stay out there before turning into red-cheeked popsicles.

Just down the street from the cabin is the best sledding hill ever. I braved the weather on two different occasions to watch the kids and while I was miserably cold it was very entertaining. There was a great little ramp someone had built and although, they typically clear it successfully, landing it is the trick. One of Aiden’s landings was so comical I bust out laughing until I realized it must have hurt and he didn’t find it very funny. He did laugh later when he watched it on a video and told me I should post it on You Tube.

We were invited over to the Wood’s cabin on New Year’s Eve. We had an incredible dinner and the kids had a blast with their cousins and friends. I am not sure how Sandy can handle all the noise and busyness but she is typically the one encouraging it! She had blowers and smoke bombs for the kids and even let them pop balloons all over her living room. At one point she gave them all headlamps and turned off all the lights in the cabin and had them go on a ghost hunt. It is always difficult to get them to leave as this cabin is literally the most fun place on earth! We celebrated New Year’s in New York and we’re then able to get the kids to bed long before midnight!

We know we are very lucky to be able to have a cabin to stay in and to enjoy the beauty of Pinetop. There is nothing better than doing nothing for a whole week! I could tell Trent never wanted to leave as we finally had a place to ourselves! But the point of coming all the way back to the U.S. was to see the family so we couldn’t stay in hiding forever!