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!

#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...

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!

Tis the Season...

We are now in full Christmas swing and we've had a very eventful last few days celebrating the holiday season.  First and foremost, I draw everyone's attention to our first Christmas miracle -- Simone's Santa pictures actually turned out well this year!!! It only took us eight years to get her to look at the camera and smile, but we finally did it.

Perhaps it had something to do with the re-vamped Santa setup at Tysons Corner -- it's quite the ordeal now.  Gone are the days of simply sitting on Santa's lap and reciting your wish list.  Technology has arrived!  First, we avoided long lines by reserving an appointment time online, and spent 30 minutes of fun going through the Santa experience.

First the Naughty or Nice O'Meter

Then building an elf video featuring Simone.

A pose with Daddy.

Some Elf-ray vision activities.

And finally balloons and face painting.

Our second event was Simone's holiday piano recital.  She played "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" without a single mistake -- so proud!

She went into super shy mode as she introduced herself and her song.

Much more relaxed after the performance.

With the proud parents.

And with her proud teacher.

Next up -- some evening excitement in Middleburg, where we caught the tail end of the holiday parade and then relaxed the evening away at cozy resort.

These horses were amazing.  They "danced" to music as they paraded along.

Simone took this shot of a gingerbread creation.

Instant relaxation!  I LOVE THE HOLIDAYS!!

Outside sitting at one of the fire pits that dot the beautiful grounds.

Lots of warm cozy fires to snuggle up next to both outside and inside -- so festive!

And finally -- a quick peek at two other toasty and tasty outings ...

Our second annual holiday tea at Oatlands Plantation.

And an evening at a local German Christmas Market.

Brats and split pea soup --Yum!

 Amidst all of the holiday chores, these are the kinds of things that make the holidays worth it!  Can't wait to see what other fun we can find this month.