Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Sledding

Simone finally got some sledding time yesterday.  Believe it or not, the enormity of this storm did not lend itself well to sledding.  We had to dedicate a lot to time to digging out and making sure we cleared critical areas as things start to melt.  We're still in clean up mode, but took a little time to let Simone have fun too!

Marching to the hill.




All bundled up.
And a special treat -- some short video clips of two runs.  The first of Simone...




And then -- mark this on your calendar--- one of DADDY!! (you all are gonna love this one)



Somehow sledding in your 40s just isn't as easy as you remember it to be.  LOL!!!  And yes, that is Simone you hear laughing at her daddy flopping around the slope!

Sunday, January 24, 2016

#WINTERAWAKENS


Well family, we have officially weathered Winter Storm Jonas -- only the third blizzard ever recorded in the DC area's weather history.  It was/is astounding.  Having lived through the Snowmageddon of 2010, we can say unequivocally -- this was worse.  Luckily, we kept power throughout the storm, but it was an unreal experience.  We didn't think it would ever stop snowing.  

Before the storm on Friday morning, we had to go into work for what was supposed to be a half day.  This was the sunrise as I drove in.  It was so brilliantly pink and red, I literally pulled over to snap some pictures.   You know what they say about pink skies in the morning....  wow.





We ended up being sent home after only 2 hours at work because forecasters said the storm was moving faster than expected.  I was home by 11am.  And all we could do was wait.  And cook.  So here's a sampling of some of our storm treats...

tomato mozzarella salad on friday evening

mimosas on saturday morning 

with egg and veggie "cupcakes"
from the kitchen window
Warm brownies!!

 Ok, enough food, you get the picture.  Anyway, when it was all said and done our best guess is that have about 36".  Some of the drifts are as tall as me.  Here's Tony literally digging his way out the front door.  The snow everywhere is at least up to his waist.  We've never seen anything like it!!






This drift come way up over our fence -- maybe 5 ft


The catapult technique.  Even if we had the physical stamina to move all the snow, there is simply no where to put it.

 We've managed to get a one person path cleared from the porch to the mailbox.  With the sun shining strongly, our little path is crystal clear.  Everyplace else... not so much.





Late Saturday afternoon.  By the time it stopped snowing the level was nearly to the top of the fence.
Only the top of the mailbox sticking out. All of the landscaping completely covered.
Simone, of course, couldn't be happier.  Finally snow for sledding and no school until at least Wednesday!
Every child's dream come true!  Hope to add some sledding pictures later.  Stay tuned...


Saturday, January 2, 2016

A Very Merry Christmas Indeed!


What better way to wind down 2015 than a week with family, food, and fun? We spent Christmas week at the grandparents' in Pennsylvania this year.  It was memorable in so many ways, not the least of which was the need for air conditioning on Christmas eve or the 70-something degree weather on Christmas day.  We enjoyed so many feasts and so many family moments we lost track, but here are a few highlights...
Our Christmas day smorgasbord.


Best cousin friends!

Christmas eve gang.

Santa was very good to Simone this year!  Lots of American Girl swag, Shopkins (apparently all the rage in third grade) and a new Zuca bag for skating.

Simone spent a whole afternoon outside with Pop stacking wood, collecting kindling, and preparing for the after Christmas holiday fire.  She was so proud of her work.

Out to eat with the family in Jim Thorpe.



A quick game of checkers while the grown ups had a wine/mead tasting at a local shop after dinner.

Kodak moment near the train station.
 We took the whole gang ice skating two days after Christmas.  Simone was so happy to teach all her cousins how to skate.


Even daddy got in on the ice action!




And the big moment... the campfire!  Even with a little bit of drizzle, the kids loved roasting marshmallows and hot dogs around the fire.


Such a special memory!




And there you have it!  After all that fun, we made our way back home to ring in 2016!