Snow, Snow, and More Cold

The snow has reached our porch floor


When I went to bed the other night there was a prediction for about 2-4 inches of snow in our area. I was a bit surprised when we opened the blinds to find about 8 inches. Olivia looked out the window and looked at us and stated in a matter of fact way, "Looks like it is time to go back to California." I then spent the next 2 1/2 hours shoveling and pushing snow. We are starting to run out of places to throw the snow, so I had to push the snow down a ways until I could find a place to throw it. I enjoy the work out that snow shoveling provides, but with the bone chilling temperatures of today reaching -40 wind chills, I am starting to think that Olivia was onto something...Grandad and Naana, you may want to prepare for more visitors. :-)

The pile of snow on top of the retaining wall

I kept digging until I found the mailbox...it's around here somewhere


The front sidewalk looks more like a tunnel

These piles are about 5 feet

Dance Recital

Olivia had her dance recital this past Tuesday after having to be postponed during December because of the weather. Now normally the phrase "dance recital" conjures up an image of a stage, ballerinas, fine music...this wasn't quite the case. It was held in the fitness gym in our small town with people exercising in the audience. At least the gym members had a fun recital to watch to pass their time on the exercise machines. The four ballerinas looked so adorable in their little outfits. They did one ballet number and a tap routine.

The little ones watching their big sisters

Sledding Fun

We realized that we hadn't taken the kids sledding yet this winter, so we thought today would be a perfect day to do that. While we were in California, there were a few warm days that melted the snow, so that when it got cool again, the top layer of the snow was pure ice. Then we got about 4 inches of fresh snow on top of this ice, which made for great sledding conditions. The kids really enjoyed going down the hill and only complained when they hit some snow and got their faces covered in snow. After about 45 minutes the coldness started settling in and they both started asking for hot chocolate and a warm bath, both of which we were happy to give.






Ahh...now we are nice and warm!