By Sunday morning the snow had stopped falling and we were greeted with blue skies and sunshine. The temperature was a balmy 2 degrees (to everyone else in these parts that would be a balmy 36 degrees) so we decided to load all the wet weather gear and the sled into the car and go play in the snow.
Our destination was Lost River State Park in West Virginia, yet another wonderfully equipped recreational area a short drive from home in Winchester. Driving into the park after two days of steady snow fall was like driving into a winter paradise. Little log cabins nestled amongst the snowy trees, trails for hiking and horse riding, heated public toilets, a great playground and lots of super powdery snow on the ground.
What I loved about today was how, for an adult, snow does wonders for bringing out one’s inner child. Coming from a city where snowfall is incredibly rare I get a real kick out of being in the snow and soon we were all immersed in play – throwing sticks at the frozen water in an attempt to break the ice; trying to pelt each other with snowballs; barrelling down the hills on our trusty plastic sled; rolling around on the ground making snow angels; there was even a spot of gymnastics!
Click here to check out some video of Olive and Edie hitting the slopes.
Richard channelled his inner botanical photographer and got some great arty snow shots.
We finished with a good old snow ball fight. I know I probably shouldn’t utter these words in our liberated age, but I completely throw like a girl and couldn’t hit anything. Although, having said that, Richard wasn’t too flash either!
We are heading away this weekend to hopefully do a wee bit of skiing (gulp) and to celebrate my birthday. Poor Olive now has to wait a good three months before there is another celebration in our household!
Take care everyone. Missing you all and sending lots of love xxx
on the cRoad again 
You
Sorry… incomplete… “You are such a blessed family!”
Och aye Chris you have to be a wee hardened Auld Reekiete to be able to
throw your snowballs with deadly accuracy. Brought back memories of getting
pelted changing classes at college between main school and the annexe down the road, …..you got it the Presi school was on the oppposite side of the Catholic one……so you can imagine the onslaught we were all fair drookit. What beautiful scenery loved the log cabins good luck with the skiing (well that is something one can do amdist the most spectacular scenery here at home in
Aotearoa).
Love Mum
haha just love that picture. 41 indeed no way! Olive’s smile indeed says it all, she is one happy child and that how she should be.
Btw I am even more surprised now that I see the picture of dad standing on his hands at 54. Not sure if I can do that but since I just spend four weeks in a cast… not going to try either.
You know what they say children and love keep you young and by the looks of it… your family have plenty of love to share.
Hearing Edie’s voice on the video made me a little emotional. I miss having her visit my class when K1 was taking a nap.
What beautiful pictures – it looks so peaceful in Lost River and Edie’s angel very at home in the setting there. What impressive handstands from Olive and Uncle Richard – very yogi looking – nothing like 3 beautiful girls to keep one young eh 🙂 You should frame the log snow picture – in the key of ice perhaps 🙂 Happy Belated Birthday Uncle Richard and nearly Happy Birthday Aunty Chrissy ! Love the Waddington family sweltering in a mini heat wave in Wellington xxx
Hi Waddingtons. Thanks for your comments. We have certainly been blessed with lots of lovely snowy opportunities. Glad to hear you have been getting some heat xxx
It is truely wonderful to see the Croad family all looking so happy and relaxed. Olive and Edie you are growing up so very fast and Auntie Jenny misses you terribly but it is very comforting to know you are both ‘on fire’ as your dad puts it. Happiness and family – thats a beautiful thing and what life is truely all about. Have a happy birthday too Chrissy. I will be thinking of you. Love Jen xxxx
Hi Jenny. Hope you are well. Yes the girls are growing up so fast – always giving us lots of laughs though! Miss you xxx