Winter Wonderland

Looks like we are in store for a white Christmas this year. Not that there was much doubt. Until a couple days ago we haven't been above freezing since before Thanksgiving. The slush created by yesterday's upper 30's is now covered with a fresh layer of pure white
snow.




Brian is off plowing again, but hopefully not for long.

The kids and I are enjoying The Polar Express, breaking the "no eating in the living room" rule, and I'm about to make a pot of coffee just for me- something I never ever do unless we have company.

It's not the same as having Daddy home, but it's fun to look at pictures of him from last night's skating adventure.


(These were my sister's skates from ages ago.)
This was Sammy's first time on skates and it felt like mine too. I haven't skated since college and it's been at least 5 years since Brian laced up his skates.



I can guarantee that if it weren't for Sam on the ice to help me balance, I would be nursing a pretty sore bum this morning.

It was Skate with Santa Night and Sam was doing his best to keep his distance. Julia, on the other hand, kept shouting "Santa! Santa!" I can only juggle so many things at once so there's only video of her giving him a high five as he skating past after a break in the penalty box.

Time to hit the publish button before squirmy wormy Julia erases everything. :) Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

"Branches were dipped in frosting this morn"

and the sun cast a fairyland spell;

Each fragile twig looked feathered and white
and beckoned a heart to swell.

A winter treasure - a sight to behold -

while silence augmented the scene;

I wanted to walk through an open gate
to find the artist, supreme.

No gate could I see, the artist unseen,

awe captured my soul;

The canvas would change, as nature intended,

but I'd witnessed her morning's goal.

Poem by Joan Adams Burchell

It was 8 degrees while I was out there literally freezing my fingers off to get these shots, but oh so worth it! (The final picture is taken directly into the sun through all the frosty branches and left completely unedited.)

Snow much fun!

When snow means Daddy has to leave for big chunks of time it's hard not to dislike the fluffy white stuff. The silver lining is that it makes us appreciate the time we do have.



Temps in the single digits, bad colds, and a two hour cleaning frenzy for a showing didn't put a damper on our family's fun this weekend.












We stumbled upon the perfect sledding hill
(a walking path that apparently in the winter
doubles as a luge) and had a terrific time. The best part is that we were only 30 seconds from home when the kids got too cold. Last year Sam wouldn't stay outside for more than two minutes. This year the ratio of time spent getting on snowsuits/two pair of socks/boots/scarves/mittens/hats to the time spent outdoors is working in my favor.



If you don't count the chunk of snow, Sammy got to go down the hill all by himself today! (Click on the picture to see the huge grin on his face.)

Tonight we're going on our annual Christmas lights "tour". I love this time of year!

Bring it on!

We're ready for ya Old Man Winter!
But could you please wrap up this snow sometime soon? We miss Daddy.


I couldn't resist throwing this one in too. :)