Well, friends - after months of watching the rest of the U.S. get hit hard by winter, we were a little surprised to find we were next. Now, Zac and I have both grew up with a lot of snow and we are used to it. But we now live in a place where they don't really have plows, they don't really ever put gravel or sand on the road, and nobody even owns a shovel let alone treaded winter tires. Portland shut down for nearly 4 days - schools cancelled, churches cancelled, interstates were either gridlocked or even closed, public transportation shut down, and everyone pretty much just stayed put.
Which was really, really nice. Despite having to postpone and cancel some major events, it was a beautiful "forced Sabbath" for our family to be home. Together.
Much to our surprise, the weather forecast was spot on - we went from this light dusting on Thursday:
To this lovely powder by Friday/Saturday:
To this nasty icy mess on Sunday:
So, how did we survive the snowpocalypse? We survived it very well - very well indeed. Fortunately, we had a fridge full of food, cars full of gas and a store across the street just in case. We filled our days with rest and work and lots of play.
We played in the snow! Especially this little cutie who was having the time of her life. She rolled around in the snow and spent most of her time with this little yellow curb - dusting it off then patting more snow on it to "keep it warm." Over and over again. This girl cracks me up!
Zoë discovered the joy of eating snow and had to make several visits to see this snowman in our parking lot (who, much to her disappointment, did not talk back).
We went sledding (briefly - someone was more interested in rolling around in the snow) and I even got out my cross-country skis for a trip to the park. The best part about playing outside? Coming back inside and warming up with hot chocolate while watching a movie.
We had lovely slow mornings, made donuts, did crafts and danced around to the "Frozen" soundtrack. We got some much needed housework done and got the home a little more ready for baby boy. It was perfect to be stuck at home just in time for the Winter Olympics! Our neighbor friends came over for the opening ceremony and we've enjoyed watching some ice dancing and ski jumping.
On Sunday, we ventured out to check on our icy wonderland. The temperature rose overnight resulting in a thick layer of ice that covered all 8-11 inches of snow. Thankfully, we didn't have to go anywhere so we spent the morning crunching and sliding around while Daddy cleaned off the car and the van.
Zoë got "trapped" in the ice:)
My Mom gave me these "snow tracks" for Christmas a few years ago and I thought I would never use them. She must have seen this coming! They were perfect and helped me feel a lot safer waddling out onto the ice with Zoë and walking back and forth from the store. Thanks Mom!
Our poor ice laden bushes. Zoë decided she needed to "save the bushes!" and I had a good time lifting Zoë up to crash through the ice on the top, push the ice chunks off and watch them shatter on the ground. :)
It's a tough job saving bushes.
Now we sit inside and watch the snow and ice slowly melt away. Tomorrow life will *mostly* (hopefully) return to normal and we might miss our slow paced, "snowed-in" vacation as a family. But alas, life goes on!
On New Year's Eve, we flew down to Dallas, Texas, for a week of (indoor) fun with Didi & Papa, Uncle Daniel, Gruncles and Aunties and lots of cousins. And it was cold! One morning I remember waking up and seeing the edge of the pond surrounding the fountain in the back frozen solid. Nonetheless, we had a wonderful time playing and lazying around - when we weren't out shopping and getting spoiled. :)
Happy New Year!
Ringing in the New Year with Rebecca
These two girls did the most partying out of all of us.
I don't think anyone made it to midnight!
Playing with Papa!
Lovin' life with Gruncle Herm
Checking out all the pictures with Didi
One of our adventures of the week was to take Zoë and her almost-two-year-old cousin Rebecca to see the Disney movie, "Frozen." It was great and both girls sat through the whole thing (which is pretty impressive)! It helped that it was a dine-in theater and Zoë enjoyed munching on her cheeseburger during the film. She loved the big screen and only got a little anxious when the snowman monster came to life, but she was fine sitting on my lap and we decided he was a nice monster in the end. Haha! :) (Since then, Zoë has spoken of this snowman monster several times, and requests the Frozen soundtrack for dancing music almost daily. :)
Most of the time was spent playing with cousins! Zoë LOVED spending time with Rebecca and on several mornings would wake up saying "Go get Becca! I'll wake her up." :) Zoë also had some fun playtime with Hallie, Brady and Andie at their home. Hooray for cousins!
"Not bouncing" on the bed. :p
Giggles galore!
Watching "Sofia" - a favorite pastime
With their babies.
These girls had SO much fun in the bathtub together!
Bedtime stories with Gigi
Papa brought Rufus (the puppet) and enchanted all the children.
Hi-five!
Horse training with Andie
Hallie is such a great big cousin!
At the big kid table
More Rufus
Zac and Cousin Brooke with their girls
It was such a blessing to get away from home and work and have some time to enjoy Zac's family. Thank you all for a wonderful time!
Here's to a wonderfully full and exciting 2014!
(Thank you Didi for capturing several of these moments on camera :)
