Snow!

It finally, FINALLY, snowed here yesterday.  It started late in the afternoon and we watched and watched and watched out the window the entire evening.  Gauging the size of the snowflakes, how fast they were falling, and how hard the wind was blowing.  We were transfixed by the winter swirling around outside our windows.  After the kids grudgingly went to bed with hopes of massive snow falling throughout the night, is really when Mother Nature started her show.  Big, heavy flakes fell and covered everything.  The streets were completely white with snow, you couldn't even see where the street ended and the sidewalks began.

Personally, I had been waiting for the snow to come, believing that it probably would not happen this year, maybe next.  So, after Joe and Joci were snuggled down in their beds, I went for a walk by myself in the snow.  As I walked I was amazed at how quiet it was.  I could hear the snow hitting the trees, the wind whipping the snow all around me, but mostly into my face.  I saw cute little animals tracks in the snow as I walked down to the park and then back through our secret path that we picked blackberries along in the summertime.  I listened to my snow boots (first time I've ever worn them) crunching the snow, almost echoing in the quietness of the night.  I'm sure some people that saw me, there weren't many, probably thought I was mad, smiling away so happy to finally be in the snow.  But, I don't care.  I've always wanted to live somewhere that had some snow, had a winter to experience, and it was finally here.

I almost cried I was so happy.

When I finally came home, Jon came out and we made a little snowman outside the front door for the kids in the morning and even threw a few snowballs at each other. 

The next day, Joe excitedly woke us up exclaiming that it had snowed!  Joci slept for almost another hour and then came down stairs to tell us that it had snowed!  Both of them were so excited to get out and play in it.  I made them eat a hot breakfast before getting dressed in layers to play in the snow. 

First up were snow angels and then a huge snowman.  I have never actually rolled the snowball that makes the snowman and thus the kids did a better job of this than me.  Making the snowman was definitely Joci's favorite thing.  She enjoyed putting the carrot on for a nose and placing the stones for his eyes, smile, and buttons down the front.  Of course, our snowman was a Bears fan, wearing a Bears ski hat.

Jon shoveled the driveway, front walk, and sidewalks using the extra snow to help the kids make a snow fort next to the front door.  Sadly, the both had no idea what Jon was trying to show them to do.  Eventually, though, we got the fort made and the snowball fight ensued.  We didn't pelt them too badly with our snowballs, after all, Jon throws a truly WICKED snowball.

After we finally came in from our winter wonderland fun, Jon made a nice warming lunch of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.  Later, he made a fantastic roast beef dinner complete with mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts, yum.  While Jon took a nap, preparing to stay up really late to watch the Superbowl at a friend's house, the kids and I played Joe's new Doctor Who game, of which he pretty much ground Joci and I into the ground. 

It was a great day, one that I hope to remember for a really long time.