Snow, Ice and Sleds!

We woke up to an icy frozen tundra today! The combination of ice and snow overnight left everything really slick. The temperatures are still below freezing here as I write tonight.

Around noon today, I got cabin fever. I had been inside our house for 48 hours and the only person I had interacted with was Keith. I was bored. No offense, sweetie. Of course I could have cleaned the whole house or done all the laundry, but where's the fun in that? I wanted to get out!

So, Keith and I decided to drive around Marion and swing by the grocery store as a last stop. We often just get out and ride around our country town. We love it! Things were especially pretty today, all coated in white. I wish we had more snow than ice, but that's okay.

Here are the pics:

Home sweet home

The icy front yard and our street

Icicles on everything!

The railroad tracks

Quiet country road

This is the levee. This is the reason the Mississippi River doesn't come all the way up to our house.
Thank you for all you do, levee.

Marion's pecan orchard

Oh yes, and my dream home.
I always make Keith drive by this when we're out cruising.

In my mind, this is what my forever house looks like.
This home is perfect to me. I want one just like it.
Please, and thank you.

Lovely frozen pine

The roads are ICY.
I felt safe in Keith's truck with him driving, but I wouldn't dare try to drive on it myself!



Then, we decided we were brave. And we missed our friends!
So, we headed across the Mighty Mississippi River!

Sorry for the crooked picture. The I-40 bridge was slick in spots!


We met up with our friends on Mud Island to do some serious sledding.

The area down by the river had a perfect, large, slick hill for sledding. The view was great!

You just had to hike back up to the top!

Travis is ready to go!

Luckily, Keith's parents let us borrow 3 real sleds. But, we saw people using all kinds of things to improvise! Trash can lids, cooler tops, pizza boxes, pool inflatables, anything plastic, etc.

Keith heads down face first; I was never that brave!

Me, Kayla and Lauren all ready to go!

 I always wound up going down backwards. Don't know how.

Back up for another go...

The boys actually sprayed Pam on the back of sleds. It DID make a difference.
Chip, is that your Superman board? I think it belongs to a small child.... :)

Travis, Keith and Chip have sleds. Nate has a cooler lid. Hey, whatever works!

We're about to triple dip

We barely fit all limbs on the sled!

We made it down safely! This time.

The boys always did this run and jump thing....

Nate

Keith

The sled sprayed with Pam always went far. Sometimes, too far!
Keith went all the way to the river. Glad he didn't fall in!

The Trammells

The Siscos + Kayla's pink nose :)

The Joneses.

WE BUSTED!!!
I had ice and grass all over my backside.

Does Nate really need 3 guys pushing him?

It. Was. Cold!

This was taken after we warmed up in the car for a bit!

We pose for one last thresome sled down the hill.
(At this point, I'd tumbled 3 times, and fell in the parking lot, and said "hope we don't bust!")

I cursed us.
That fall was rough.
And that was the last ride for the girls!

Keith probably went down the hill 50 times.

Chip and Keith

Chip mid-roll!

Yes, it is tough on you!

I think we'll all be feeling the pain tomorrow :)
So worth it.

Group picture! We love you guys!

Thank you for the much-needed social interaction!

And the sun started to set on a beautiful icy day. 

We made it safely home and are happy to be warm and cozy. No more ice down my back!

Happy Saturday, everybody!