Snow, Ice, Sleet & oh yeah more snow=Damage

It's been an interesting week, a long week, is it really only Thursday? The 1st 3 days were actually fun, I think the fun might've ended today. Mostly because I decided to try and get some things done.

Snow Day #5

Let's first start with the weather because really that is what's happening here.

At 6:30 this morning the power went out, and then came back on and then a few minutes later went out again. I was almost surprised, but only that it didn't happen earlier. I was mostly Thankful we had our power for so long because outside we could hear the trees creaking, cracking and then crashing. It's amazing how the world outside has transformed from fun and playful snowy day, to hard slippery icy world, which wasn't very inviting. The kids actually did really well, after explaining there was no power and therefore the tv didn't work they played with their toys and each other. This is Snowday #5, 4 out of school and so the toys and the excitement of being home wasn't quite the same for any of us. John didn't end up going into work and so we decided to get busy and started taking apart furniture and packing things up. John and Tate did venture out to find gas to power the generator. They found multiple place power line were being pulled and had ice layered trees lying on them, and lots of damage from fallen branches and trees. He drove around for a while before he was able to find a place to get gas that didn't require electricity to pump gas.

It was actually supposed to rain this afternoon and warm up but things don't always go according to plans. We did get a lot of freezing rain which is quite cool to catch in your hands. Tyler and McKenna even ventured out for a while to check it out.

Once John got home it was back to work, although our lack of involvement didn't fare too well with the kids, mostly Tate and so by 4 I pulled out my cellphone and thank goodness for the Netflix app we were able to buy an hour to try and wrap things up.

Thankfully the generator started up this evening and walla we had power. We walked in the house and the kids had turned on all the lights in the house to celebrate. Unfortunately that's not how the generator works as we found a few times throughout the evening when we overloaded the generator tripping the breaker. It's a learning curve but it was a pretty good evening. Terry and Sharon came over for some heat and to share a yummy dinner of Tostadas. Outside company and adult conversation was much appreciated.

The evening was wrapped up with a big sleepover in Mom & Dad's room.

280,000 people are without power and they say it could be a few days before power is restored. Bless and pray for those workers who are working around the clock trying to restore everyone's power. The good news is that it's suppose to warm up and start raining by 1 am.

In a few days we'll be talking about floods. :p

SnowStorm 2012 (Snow Day #4)

Mother Nature came through with some BIG snow! I'm sure this will be remembered as the Big Snow Storm of 2012. This is the kind of snow I've been waiting for and LOVE!.

The Storm started between 3-4am as forecasted and we woke to a rather thick blanket of snow which was pretty exciting. (well other than the fact that Tyler woke up at 4 and after seeing the snow couldn't go back to sleep until 5).

Tate & McKenna (who was up til 10) were both up and ready to go by 7, but were nice enough to jump in bed with John and I and watch cartoons until we were both ready to face the cold house and the snowy events of the day. McKenna could hardly contain her excitement for the snow and didn't even want to wait until we'd eaten breakfast to go outside.

While I snapped a few pictures of the snowy yard, Tate helped himself to a bowl of cereal. So independent that one.

When we finally made it outside-you can see the giddiness on the girls faces. Apparently I'm not the only one in the family who's been dreaming of a Good Snow Storm.

We were thrillled that Sarah was willing to cover the clinic so our Dad could stay home and play in the snow with us.

We started our new snowman, although the snow was a little dry and we had a hard time getting it to stay together.

The Chickens were a little unsure to what was going on. John opened the coop, Speck stepped out and quickly stepped back in liking the warmth of their igloo.

John and Tyler finishing our little snowman, frosty #2 (reborn?)

We did take a break for lunch and some Hot Chocolate, but then it was time to head back outside.

The beauty of our street is that it's so steep it was vacant all day, while eating we saw some kids walking up our street and it must have given John an idea. After 8 years in the basement John debuted his skis in Washington and decided to go skiing, taking the kids with him and giving them a ride. They couldn't get enough and LOVED it. Who's the Best Dad Ever?

What goes down must come back up, a harder feat for some than others.

Skier John

As the day wore on the temperature went up and the snow got a little wetter and frostine, our Girl and big snowman was created, Snowman #3.

What a f-u-n, fun, fun Day!

MLK-Snow Day #2 &Snow Day #3

Sunday night we brought up that Monday would be Martin Luther King, Jr Day. I asked the kids what they wanted to do and McKenna called out, "Hold hands and love each other." I love McKenna's teacher who had discussed who Martin Luther King, Jr was and his dream. That is what she learned which was perfect. John wished he could just that while he was at work. I think he stuck with just loving everyone.

We woke to snow on the ground and the girls immediately put on their snow clothes and headed outside. As soon as Tate and I could muster we joined them.

1st on the agenda: Nature Walk down the lane. It started snowing while we were out and the snowflakes were incredible. If you look close enough you can see the snowflake McKenna caught on her glove and is checking out.

Tate helping the trees by knocking off the snow.

Time to build a snowman, a group effort :

The finished project: frosty (#1), a "Very Special Snowman"

Who fell over a few hours later, who was missed and prayed for at dinner to come back, in more snow so that we could build him again. (So thoughtful Tyler).

Snow days are also a Great time to play with your sister, This is the village they built for their ponies and pets. Don't forget the popcorn at snacktime.

Martha Stewart's show theme was Snow Day activities and meals-perfect timing. There were some really great science experiments and I had the things needed for this project. All it took was an egg and a glass filled with vinegar. The vinegar eats away at the calcium bicarbonate in the egg shell until the egg shell is gone leaving just the membrane around the egg. pretty cool!

Tuesday night there was rumors of more snow and Sumner School district started with an issue of a 2 hour late start, but by morning had changed their minds and canceled school altogether. I did snow a bit in the morning, but by 10 the snow was done and by 11 everything was melted in our yard. We headed to Costco & Michaels to gear up and get ready for the BIG Snow Storm on the horizon which was forcasted to be hitting about 3 the next morning.