Stopping by woods on a snowy evening

Our last trip to West Virginia was largely to meet with the contractor, aka our new best friend, to discuss house projects. While we were there, though, we got to have a few adventures. I had a pretty nasty cold, so the first full day we were there Beau took Little Man out for a while so mom could get some rest. I couldn't rest, of course, but it was really nice to have a little time to myself. I made a cup of tea and looked out the window at the freshly fallen snow.

Then I scrubbed the floors and the bathrooms.

Because I'm not very good at not doing anything.

And that's pretty annoying. But the floors and bathroom don't skeeve me out anymore, so actually it isn't that annoying.

While my guys were out 'splorin', Beau came across a fire road in the Monongahela National Forest that he took me to the next day. He was pretty excited about the find because of all of the marked trails we can hike this spring and summer. I think he also liked putting the truck in four wheel drive and driving over snow-covered dirt roads that hadn't been touched since before the last snow.

Let me tell you something.

It was absolutely stunning.

I'm sure I'll share more photos of this particular place during each of the four seasons. I wonder if any can top these winter shots.

After our drive I thought Little Man needed to have his first real adventure in the snow. Prior to this he'd only been out in the snow in the process of getting somewhere. At first, he took it like a champ. He was curious and calm like he usually is.



We took some stinking cute pictures.

I call that one "West Virginia Gothic" because Beau looks so serious and upright. Little Man, though, looks like a noodle.

It was all fun and games until big, mean daddy lobbed a little snowball at Little Man and scared him.

And that was the end of our snow time.

I'm pretty sure that soon daddy will be on the receiving end of some snowballs from Carter. He'll get his, I bet.

The day was absolutely stunning and since our "lets-go-play-in-the-snow-like-a-carefree-made-for-TV-movie-family" time was short-lived, we decided to go on an evening walk later.

Three seasons a year our road cuts across the mountain. During ski season, though, two of the more difficult runs turn the road into two dead end streets. I took the photo above standing in what should be the middle of the street. We intended to just walk to the slope and check it out, but since it was so lovely out and the lifts had just closed (so no fear of being run down by crazy dare devils), we walked over the runs to the other side of our street and kept going. It actually turned into a really, really long walk.



It had been a long time since I took a "selfie", so I thought I should do that while standing in the middle of a black diamond run. (Because Lord knows I won't be there on my snowboard any time soon...)

On second thought, ignore that last comment. That's totally me taking a moment to photograph me boarding the double diamond. I'm clearly fearless and always composed. And an excellent snowboarder. Obviously.

While I was screwing around doing that, Beau was keeping Little Man amused.

What's more embarrassing: mom taking self portraits or dad giving smooches? I'm sure he'll let us know when he's a teenager. We're practicing our embarrassing behaviors now so we can really excel at them when they count.

We walked past one of my favorite houses. And by "favorite" I mean the house I'd not step foot in for a million dollars because it is suspended in midair and looks like a breeze will tip it over.

Who decides to build a house this way?

And while we were out the sun started to set. It was very pretty, as sunsets often are.

Little Man enjoyed every second of our walk. Especially the end when he was totally zonked out. It's hard work being carried for miles and miles.

Later, Beau, Little Man, and I went to dinner at the pizza shop at the top of the mountain. Little Man amused himself with a straw.

It was an absolutely spectacular day. Just ask my earnest Little Man.

I just want to eat him up.

What's the best thing you've done in the past week or so? A prize* goes to whomever can identify my stolen post title.

*And by "prize" I mean the satisfaction of knowing not-so-obscure American poetry references. Lucky you.