Doin' some shoein'

I love, love, love to snowshoe.  The solitude, the crisp winter air, the exercise, the scenery...you just can't beat it!  Naturally, I want the people that I love to do the things that I love...who wants to go alone?  So, this year, Hailee got snowshoes for Christmas.  Her fake enthusiasm when she opened the present led me to believe that she was really hoping the box was a zhu zhu hotel or a Barbie Ferrari, but let's be honest in that the present was really for me!  Similar to the tag-a-long bike for her birthday, I knew that I'd love it for her, but wasn't SURE that she would.  Well...today her new snowshoes took their maiden voyage and I'm happy to report that it was a huge success!  I've been talking it up BIG TIME since Christmas, so today I finally got her to agree to go!  

We drove up the hill to Bogus (have I mentioned that I love living in Idaho?) and it only took us about 30 minutes.  This was after we made a stop at the grocery store for snacks, Starbucks for patience in a cup and Sport's Authority to get snowpants.  She fell asleep on the way up, so I got to listen to music, drink my coffee and enjoy the scenery.  Not that I couldn't do that with her awake, but you know....

We had a quick PB&J in the lodge and headed out!  She was so excited and looked so stinkin' cute!

 

She did SO good...I was a proud mama.  Let's just say that the child doesn't really have a history of being a super athlete...so I fully expected to hear whining and complaining the ENTIRE way.  But...it was only about half of the way!  I'm short on time, so here's the condensed version before I forget it all....  

The trail started downhill..."This is easy!"  

Wanted to go off trail a little bit...fell down and got snow down the back of her pants...."I want to go back!" 

Convinced her to keep going...climbed up to a tree and made snow fall on herself.  This was entertaining for at least 10 minutes.

We carried on and she followed in my tracks for awhile..."Look Mommy, I'm a mini you!"  Awww...  

Wrote our names in the snow and drew pictures..."This is the best day ever!"

Talked about how we can do this for the rest of our lives together...."What about when you're dead?"  "Well, that wouldn't be part of my life anymore would it?" 

Oops...missed a turn somewhere..."My legs are HURTING!"  Here we go...

We see a steep uphill trail..."Let's go there!"  Mom looks at map and figures out that we actually have to unless we want to walk FOREVER.  "Good idea, Hailee!  Let's do it!"

Some more whining and complaining...mom handles it well

Two steps....stop.  Two steps...stop..."What time is it anyway?"  "Time for you to keep walking!"

Stop and play some more in a tree...mom is frantically taking pictures trying to get some "artistic" shots.  Not happening.  Hailee insists on taking pictures of me knocking snow on myself.  She got some good ones.  You won't be seeing those!

Made it back to the starting point..."I did totally awesome!" "Yes you did, sweetie!"  

Had some snacks and cocoa at the lodge and headed back home...about 5 minutes in the car and "ZZZZ"

It was such an amazing day for us!  Just my little peanut and me out in the middle of the wilderness where we didn't see a soul on the trail!  The best thing about it?  She can't wait to do it again!  Yay!!!