I don't know why, but this is the only picture I got with Heidi in it.
We went right after lunch, so that meant Nap Time for Alex. That turned out perfect, because then he was alert and ready for the experience, and he didn't get too worn out before the rest of us were done.
Ethan was really nervous his first time down,
but he loved it and could wait to go over and over again. I think he might have gone down once or twice on his own, but mostly he preferred riding with an adult. Here he is with Mike, and then with me:
Andrew, of course, had no fear, as this was such a little hill, and he could remember past times sledding. And, having Jase with him means whatever Jase thinks is cool, Andrew thinks is cool! Andrew went a few times with Mike,
but mostly he went with Jase, or alone.
Andrew and Jase had fun trying different ways to slide down the hill. They each tried the jumps that had been built by previous sledders as well, though they never got much air.
Mike and I even got some turns to go down together! It was great fun!
Having all the family there made for lots of variation for the rides down. Here's Brooklyn, Kathie, and Braxton:
After a while, Alex woke up and joined us.
Alex definitely can't remember ever going sledding before. He's such an adventurer and risk-taker that this was a heavenly experience for him! Instead of parents constantly saying, "Be careful!," "Don't step there, it's slippery," "Don't climb on that, you might fall," he heard us essentially saying, "Climb on this slippery, ballon-like thing, and let us push you down a hill, practically free-falling!" He thought it was great! 
After he'd gone down a few times with others, like here with Henry and Ethan, 
he wanted to go down by himself. He would climb on, telling me to "uht doe, uht doe" ("Let go, let go") if I tried to help him on. Then he'd command me to push him by saying, "Doe!" ("Go!"). 
At the end of the hill, when he felt himself slowing to a stop, he would flip over, climb off, grab the handle, and trek up the hill - unassisted, for if I tried to help, I was again told, "Uht doe!" It was hilarious to me to watch the repeated scenario! 
Grandpa Dale, Uncle Will, and Uncle Henry were our official pushers. They served us all faithfully!
About a half hour, or so, into our fun, the younger ones were in need of some other diversion. Kathie was eager to oblige and engaged Ethan in making an awesome snowman!
Ethan was really nervous his first time down, but he loved it and could wait to go over and over again. I think he might have gone down once or twice on his own, but mostly he preferred riding with an adult. Here he is with Mike, and then with me: Andrew, of course, had no fear, as this was such a little hill, and he could remember past times sledding. And, having Jase with him means whatever Jase thinks is cool, Andrew thinks is cool! Andrew went a few times with Mike,but mostly he went with Jase, or alone.Andrew and Jase had fun trying different ways to slide down the hill. They each tried the jumps that had been built by previous sledders as well, though they never got much air.Mike and I even got some turns to go down together! It was great fun!Having all the family there made for lots of variation for the rides down. Here's Brooklyn, Kathie, and Braxton:After a while, Alex woke up and joined us. Alex definitely can't remember ever going sledding before. He's such an adventurer and risk-taker that this was a heavenly experience for him! Instead of parents constantly saying, "Be careful!," "Don't step there, it's slippery," "Don't climb on that, you might fall," he heard us essentially saying, "Climb on this slippery, ballon-like thing, and let us push you down a hill, practically free-falling!" He thought it was great! After he'd gone down a few times with others, like here with Henry and Ethan, he wanted to go down by himself. He would climb on, telling me to "uht doe, uht doe" ("Let go, let go") if I tried to help him on. Then he'd command me to push him by saying, "Doe!" ("Go!"). At the end of the hill, when he felt himself slowing to a stop, he would flip over, climb off, grab the handle, and trek up the hill - unassisted, for if I tried to help, I was again told, "Uht doe!" It was hilarious to me to watch the repeated scenario! Grandpa Dale, Uncle Will, and Uncle Henry were our official pushers. They served us all faithfully!
About a half hour, or so, into our fun, the younger ones were in need of some other diversion. Kathie was eager to oblige and engaged Ethan in making an awesome snowman!Braxton, having not had his nap beforehand, was all tuckered out and rested in an abandoned snow tube, binkie in place, as it's only allowed to be at naptime.
Uncle Will was wiped out too, but luckily he didn't need a binkie for his rest. Not long after I took this picture, we retired to Janice & Dale's for Hot Cocoa.
Uncle Will was wiped out too, but luckily he didn't need a binkie for his rest. Not long after I took this picture, we retired to Janice & Dale's for Hot Cocoa. 
