Winter weather in the Pacific Northwest can get you down for sure. We spent all day yesterday with the kids cooped up in the house, trying to figure out what to do. They were bored and let their energy out by fighting with each other. This made us realize once again that our kids really need a good amount of daily exercise, and we decided that no matter what the weather, we were going to go on a hike today.

It was pouring when we woke up, but we were determined to go on our hike. We prepared with rain jackets and hiking shoes and hit the trails. The rain was really warm and refreshing, and the kids loved having permission to get soaked and muddy. It felt so nice to get some fresh air and exercise, and the pace that the kids kept reminded us again how much it was needed.

We hiked one of our favorite trails in Corvallis - the Homestead Trail loop from the Oak Creek parking lot of the McDonald Forest. It's about 1.5 miles of relatively flat terrain (I truly believe my kids end up doing an extra mile with all the zig-zagging and back tracking they do, though), and ends with a bridge perfect for throwing Pooh sticks.

Here they are, soaking wet and having a blast:

If the winter weather has you and your kids down, make the extra effort to get out and get some exercise. What is your family's favorite way to get exercise in the winter?

The Mid-Columbia Libraries want to challenge both kids and adults to not let their minds take a holiday this Winter Break. As part of the 2^nd Annual Winter Reading Challenge, local kids are playfully pitted against their parents and other adults to see who can read the most. The competition runs from December 13^th through January 15^th. It's a great way to keep your kids' minds engaged as the holidays approach. By signing up either at a library or online you can take part in this fun event. As an added bonus, kids who read at least 6 hours during the competition can pick up a prize at their local library. Adults who finish are entered into a raffle for a grand prize. Not only does this promote a friendly competition between children and their legal guardians, it's a great way to help instill a love of reading within your family for now and for years to come. Be sure to catch local singer and songwriter Eric Herman-checkout some of his songs on You Tube-to celebrate the start of the Winter Reading Challenge. Visit the Mid-Columbia Libraries' web site to sign up and find out when Eric is scheduled to visit the library closest to you.