We might not have water parks to keep our kids dreaming and begging on hot days.

We might not have theme parks we can drive to on long weekends.

I'd be happy if we just had an indoor playground for Grace to play at during the cold months of winter.  

So how DO we bribe our kids?

We have an ice park.

Ah, a wonderfully cold, brisk day that we can enjoy at the ice park!

Jealous much?

This year, we took Grace to the Ice Park.  

Temperature that morning on the drive up?

-30 F

I'm optimistic.  

It'll warm up, right?

We were not greeted with a warm welcome.  

It was a rather icy one.

Followed by a warning that not only will we be looking at ice, and sitting on ice and playing on ice, but we will be walking on ice. Hope it's not thin ice.

Inside the ice park, Grace immediately ran to this little slide.  The dolphins were precious!

While she hugged a ride-on ice sculpture, I hugged myself, wondering how much those full body down suits that climbers on Denali wear cost.  

Then we spotted my nieces, going down another slide.  I love how clear this ice is.

I was the only one noticing how pretty the slide was.

The bigger girls were trying to figure out how to go faster.

Be there for me as we raise this thrill seeker.

That slide got too slow too fast, so the girls ventured on to an even bigger slide.

Can you see her?

When the girls came down this slide, I forgot all about being cold, and was just plain scared.

There was no stopping them.

Every mom knows this stage.  The sign of relief they are finally wearing down stage.  

One last ride with Dad, and it's Mom's turn to check out the ice sculptures.

Yes, we are lame like that.  We refer to ourselves as "Mom" and "Dad" when the kids are around.  Hey, it's the most important title I will ever have, and I'm darn proud of it!

We did not do the ice maze, what a scary thought, to get lost in a maze of ice.  

I loved this ice cube sculpture.  

Especially when the sun hit it just right.

Does this sculpture remind you of a pretty paisley print?

These ice sculptures are huge.

And intricately detailed.  The surfaces are covered with different textures.

But I found the clear, smooth surfaces my favorite.

I marveled at these spheres, so smooth and balanced.

One last look, and we moved on to the animals.

I thought this cat was amazing.

And the porcupine - or is it? - was just ...  wow.

But as we passed the angel on the way out, I knew what was my favorite.

Nothing we make is as beautiful and amazing as what God makes.