It's time for me to come clean with you about something: I am one of those strange people who likes snow. I have many fond memories of playing in the snow as a child: snow forts, snowmen, snow tunnels, snowmobiles, snowball fights, sledding and riding on the feed wagon while my dad drove the team.

Now in all fairness, I will admit there are times that snow causes lots of problems. Blizzards aren’t much fun and driving in them is miserable. Also, I fully agree that playing outside in the snow is vastly different than working outside in the snow. For the sake of argument, let’s set these problems aside for a moment and pretend that all snow is good, okay? Just for today? Please?

This photo was taken during late winter/early spring at my parent’s home. See how beautiful and pristine everything looks?

Do you know what winter looks like where I live now?

Brown. Mud brown.

I have tried for years to create snow-filled winter memories for my kids, to no avail. My kids wear snowsuits and snow pants just to keep their clothes from getting muddy. We have snow sleds that I desperately want my kids to play with. However, look what I have to pull them through.

How much fun can it be to get a face full of muddy water just so your Mom can get her winter sledding fix?

I have finally given up.

Tomorrow I think the kids and I will go outside and practice making mud pies.