Snow hike

So we got our tree up yesterday and decorated (without too much disagreement concerning Christmas tree ornaments) and then enjoyed a wonderful evening with neighbors. Jason and I did allow the "apple ornaments" to be put aside - thankfully, neither of us cared for them all too much and Kali had a clear opinion on getting rid of them! It was special to pull out the ornament given to us last year with a picture of Kali and Nora together, as well as the one Kali made for Nora with Nora's name on it her first and only Christmas with us. Kali came to me with it in her hand and said,"Do you see what this one says?" That kind of thing is about all we hear from her about Nora these days, but she has been very clear that she wants us to go to the service tomorrow night where you get to bring an ornament to put on a tree (a service held at RMH for families who have lost children).

And then today, the snow was melting fast but it is Sunday and so the only day of the week we can hike on the mountain during deer season. We gave up a few hours of potentially "productive" time at home and ventured out well prepared (I thought!) It was picturesque and fun and Kali was jumping and skipping and stomping in the snow and talking about how she was going to live on ice for 6 years. The lake was gorgeous and the snack we enjoyed there was unbeatable - the persimmon tree by the pond was still LOADED and they were almost all dead ripe and ice cold. Yum!!!! You can see many more pictures than those below online at http://picasaweb.google.com/bennerj8/TreeAndSnowHike#

These photos were all taken before she got cold... Then she wished we hadn't come on the walk, she was "frozen," her hands were so cold (despite switching from her wet mittens to the second pair of gloves I had brought!). So for the last 1-1.5 miles Jason or I carried her, trying to wrap Jason's coat around her to warm her up. I had to laugh at a number of points as we watched the sun setting and the snow melting from the trees, while lugging our 50 pound plus daughter home in our arms whimpering and chilled to the core. It was one of those times that will in all likelihood be more memorable because of Kali's presence with us, but a time in which I would have also savored a relaxing hike with just Jason. And clearly it was probably unrealistic to have her go with us all the way to the pond without snow pants or really heavy gloves. We live and learn!

She warmed up soon after we got home and at dinner was heard saying that she wanted to go to the North Pole...