midwest winter outdoors

  People who live south of Iowa think that the activities we do in Minnesota in the winter are nuts. Cross country skiing, alpine skiing, ice fishing, hiking, even camping (yes, all outdoors). But the advantages to being cold-weather-ready are that you really do toughen up your blood, live on the edge a little, and get your cheeks pink. I also think it makes us live longer because we have to endure more, and in a Darwinian way, nature will weed out the weak. (There are no stats that I know of to back me up, here.) We went to our family home in Wisconsin recently and J loved loved loved it. Even at almost 30 pounds, he still fits in our great backpack (see post on baby wearing and carrying here). His favorite part is throwing rocks in the creek. Lord help me as he ages!