Winter Solstice '22.

 

I asked my son the other day what his favorite season was and to my surprise he said winter. I think he's the only one in the family who really enjoys winter and being outside making snowballs and having snowball fights with his peeps and sisters. And me! I personally don't mind going outside for a bit. And when I mean a bit, I mean like half an hour! First snowfalls are the best and I absolutely love that part of winter. It really is beautiful, but then after a day it becomes slushy and gross and the desire to be outside goes away.  Nonetheless I don't mind winter that much because it means that we are closer to spring/summer and longer days are returning. So as long as I have a son who still loves going outside when the snow hits I will be a good sport and join him on enjoying the first snow. They're only young once! 

**Picture taken in 2019 when we had our first snow in November! 

A Little Bit Of A Snow Fall.

Well, we finally had some snow this morning. It actually started last night, and stopped around 10 am this morning. It was nice while it lasted, but to be honest I'm pretty much done with the snow. I think it's the fact that we hadn't had a good snowstorm since last year in mid-November, and now that it's February and have 30 plus days until spring don't want any snow right now! I'm glad it's already slushy, and that the forecast for this week is rainy with hardly any more snow.

Winter Storm Jonas '16.

I can't even begin to tell you how excited we all were this past weekend when we started feeling the snow falling on our faces as I was on my way out to pick up Jon from work. Jonas had arrived. Snow is something we have been waiting for long before Christmas, and boy did we get pounded with it. It's amazing to see how much snow we get in one lump sum! We woke up the next morning to sunshine, and about 15 inches of snow. It was a beautiful sight, and the kids had a blast playing in it! 

Because of all the snow we got in one shot Jon spent half the afternoon making a snowcave, and when he was done he called it a snow house! He hails from Utah so getting this much snow was a treat for him. Apparently Utah doesn't get this much snow all at once to be able to make a snow cave so he was all giddy! Lexie also attempted to make one, and she was proud of her little snow cave. 

As always I was capturing precious moments of my family as they were enjoying the snow, and made a little video of them playing in our street, and backyard.

One of our neighbors who has lived here since he was a boy told us that they would block off the street so that he, and his friends can go sledding down the street. So old school! It was epic, and a lot better than going to a hill where it's crowded with people sliding down all over the place! We had the whole street to ourselves, and in between building the snow cave, and shoveling Jon would push the kids down the street on their sled. It was so much fun, and I even had a turn. 

 This boy was all smiles! He wasn't too fond of the snow when he was a baby, but now...he can spend all day in it! 

// and this one can be making snow angels all day long! //

// Since church was canceled on Sunday, the first thing these kids wanted to do was go outside, and play in their snow cave that pa built. These two could literally live in it, and even wanted to spend the night inside, but temps got low in the teens so we opted no! They were getting cold anyway. Maybe next time! //

Love these kiddos! How fun it is to be a kid, and to not have a care in the world! They all had such a wonderful time, and really appreciated mother nature (a.k.a. Jonas) bringing them all this snow. We don't get this much snow too often so they truly took advantage, and enjoyed every moment! 

And so did I! 

Winter Wonderland.

March started out with a major snowstorm, and although I'm getting spring fever, the snow, when it sits on shrubbery sure looks beautiful. All of this snow has definitely melted, and in all honesty I'm glad. I can now be able to take Noah to the park so that he can play on dry land without freezing his little tush off. Temperatures should be in the 50's throughout this week, and we are hoping that they are here to stay. 

Here are a few photos of my neighborhood, and outside of our home. We received about eight inches of snow last week, and it wasn't too bad. Being cooped up in the house with no school for two days can get a bit too much, especially when your kids love school, but luckily the kids kept themselves busy with playing music, drawing, and attempting to build a snow cave which turned out to be a bit of flop (sorry, no pictures.) They attempted to build it while the snow was coming down! Crazy kids! 

Here's hoping that we have seen the last of a major snowstorm. I don't want to whine, but when you are in a city where everything is spread out, and public transportation isn't the greatest (it takes you about an hour by bus to hit the closest Target, and mall when it only takes us five minutes in a car!) it can be quite a challenge, but none the less we are surviving, and are grateful for all that nature brings.

And for smiles like this that remind me that life is good, that snowstorms last for a season, and that trials come and go, and usually end with something better! 

Winter Finally Occurred This Year With A Blizzard!

I certainly was not anticipating this blizzard! It wasn't the biggest, but it certainly brought us more snow than what Juno did! As crazy as it sounds I have been anxiously awaiting for a good snowfall, and this one didn't disappoint. I am reminded of the very first time I experienced the snow while living in Utah. I was 21 when I first met "her", and immediately fell in love with it. I am so grateful that my kids have experienced it at such a young age, and that they actually love it too! 

The snow began to fall pretty quickly early Saturday afternoon, and before we knew it there was a couple of inches on the ground. Just enough for the kids to do snow angels (which you could watch me here), and throw snowballs at each other. We stayed close to home this time, and the kids enjoyed playing in the backyard. Chelsea took out the sled, and dragged it around the snow with Noah in tow. I captured a few moments of their childhood in the snow. 

One of my favorites is Noah eating fresh snow (don't worry...it was untouched & very clean!) 

After a while I felt like going for a walk. I know it sounds crazy to go for a walk when it snows, but it wasn't coming down as much, and I was really craving that desire. There is something about the snow that just calms me down. I wasn't raised with it so I really appreciate this part of Mother Nature in the winter time. So while Lexie was finishing up her project Noah and Chelsea decided to tag along with me. We walked on part of the bike trail, and for a moment we stopped, stood, and listened. 

Listened to how peaceful it was when it was coming down. I began to tell them how quiet the world seems when it snows. I really wanted them to listen, and they thought it was pretty cool and "weird" at the same time that everything seemed so quiet. There were hardly any cars on the road so there's no humming of motors running. No sounds of dogs barking or any animal noises. It was nothing but peace and quiet for a few minutes until these two began running around. I decided to take in the moment of having fun with them because I don't know if we'll have another snowfall anytime soon. 

Then again we're still in February so who knows! 

Happy Monday! 

A Little Bit Of A Snowfall.

I find such comfort in the winter. 

It never fails every time it snows I feel a little bit nostalgic because in all honesty, there are days when I actually miss the winters in Utah. I think the fact that we lived close to so many ski resorts got me a bit spoiled. Not that I'm a skier, or a snowboarder, but the fact that we actually got a lot of snow back there, & had a nice view of the mountains was very tranquil to me. The other night I somewhat had a bit of a face time/daughter date with Sierra. She decided to drive up to Big Cottonwood Canyon, but unfortunately was cut short due to black ice. She stumbled upon it as she reached the s curve. She turned around, & her words were "I think I'm going to turn around now because I don't want to die!" Good choice Sierra!! We had a nice talk and she made it home just in time to go to her choir class. 

So when we finally got our first snowfall a couple of weeks ago I was excited. I had been longing for snow since then, and fortunately got some this week. As soon as it came down I told Noah to quickly log off the computer so that we can go outside & feel the snow fall on our faces! These photos were not expected to be taken since it was just us outside being in the moment. Luckily Chelsea came home and because I'm always taking pictures of them asked if she could take some (we seriously need to get her a camera!) I of course never say no to picture taking so I obliged. Especially when the kids ask! She took a few of me and Noah, and then I captured some moments of them two. 

The fact that it was National Hug Day made it so sweet too! It became even more fun when Lexie came home! Yay! Her sibs adore her, and always hover around her when she comes home. Life for her has been pretty busy lately with school that every time we take pictures she's hardly around. I'm so glad I got to capture a few shots of her (which I'll post at a later date), and that Chelsea captured this one of us! 

We had some fun until Noah began to get cold. I was surprised because normally he's all about the snow, and playing in it until darkness falls, but because this snow fall was "wet" it was super cold!! And  we walked ran inside!

The snow here is obviously different than the snow in the Rockies out west, and I've pretty much already gotten used to it being so different. I'm grateful though that we get some snow although it's been pretty mild lately. I'm hoping to get more snow so that the kids can go sledding. Winter is just not complete until we go sledding! We're still in January with two more months of winter left so hopefully mother nature will bring us more snow...and not the wet, wet kind! 

Regardless...I have fun with these kids. I love them so much, and we are going to make the best out of this winter whether we spend it indoors, or outdoors....with snow, or no snow! 

Happy weekend! 

January Cold.

There's something about the winter months that makes you look forward to spring, and makes you want to get out and play. Knowing that we only have three months of winter puts my mind at ease because I know that the next season will eventually show herself. 

I love the cold weather. 

I love the way the cold looks on the trees. The fact that I live in a place where we have the four seasons makes me appreciate the cold. I fell in love with the change of seasons when I moved to Utah 20 years ago. I love how every season transitioned into another, and how the trees would turn vibrant colors in the fall, and how the dew, and snow make the leaves on trees, and flowers picturesque in the winter & spring. 

And Summer! I love summer too! So having winter helps me look forward to the heat! 

Growing up in Texas we had absolutely no winters. No change of seasons, and no change of colors in leaves. Just summer all year round, with a side of cool nights during November and December!! So the fact that I've been surrounded with the four seasons for half of my life has got me spoiled, and I absolutely don't mind, and love the cold. 

Winter is even funner when you have small kids. Last week when the temperatures dropped to about 13 degrees, I was a bit unprepared. I woke up to snow! I had no ice melter, just a shovel. I hurriedly drove to the store to buy ice melter as well as a small shovel for Noah. Noah saw them laying right next to the ice melter, and with the sweetest look on his face asked if I could buy one for him. He said, "I want to be like daddy, and shovel snow too!" He looked so eager, and I didn't hesitate for one second in buying it. I bought him the shovel, and quickly drove home as careful as possible as to prevent any accidents, immediately got out of the car, and began to shovel what snow had already fallen. I then sprinkled some ice melter all over our steps, and driveway. Noah was super excited when I bought him a shovel. He immediately began to help me out. The whole time he was shoveling he kept saying, "I'm just like daddy mom shoveling this snow." Except on this day daddy went to work early, and mommy had to shovel the snow. If you're all bundled up wearing the proper attire, shoveling snow is no hard task. It's a good thing we don't have a sidewalk otherwise there would have been extra shoveling, but it was pretty fun shoveling snow with a five year old.  

And he went to town shoveling snow with that little shovel of his! 

The cold never seems to bother him as witnessed on this post. I swear this kid could be outside all day playing with his sister in the cold. I don't know what it is with kids. It's like they're their own heater or something. 

As soon as Chelsea got home she wanted to play in the snow, and was a tad bit jealous that she didn't get to shovel any of  it. I said to her that we didn't even get that much. I mean...you can see the bits of grass underneath it! They both decided to play in it, always make the best of what little snow falls, and had too much fun!

Noah wanted to bring half of his cars and trucks outside to play with in the snow. He decided that the small cars can't drive in the snow, and only played with one of his dump trucks. Good choice Noah!
  
We haven't had a major snow storm...yet, but I'm making sure we are prepared just in case we have another snowstorm like the one we had last year. Seeing my son help this mama shovel some snow made me happy, and having him doing it on his motive made me even more happier! 

Best six bucks I've ever spent on this kid so far this winter! 

no winter woes...just happy snow.

I have to admit after the warm weekend we just had the spring bug really got to me. I  literally began cleaning up the house & got a headstart on some spring cleaning & were not even in March yet. I got the girls to do their part in helping out. I even began to take out some of my spring clothes & folded all of my winter scarves up & tucked them away neatly in my hope chest. 

Photos from our Snow day, Part II.

One thing about living in Jersey that tends to annoy me is the fact that school gets cancelled for a few inches of snow. Yes...anything less than 10" is a few to me. I really don't like negativity, but I guess that comes with social networking. You gotta have tough skin to have the guts to go online, and write a simple status about your feelings towards any subject that may be in your heart to share.

Photos from our Snow Day, Part I.

When I looked at the forecast last week I was excited to see that we were going to have snow this past weekend. Little did I know we were going to get swamped with nine inches! The weatherman said we were only to expect an inch or so, but holy moly we got quite a bit! 

And we were longing for it for quite some time (more like years!!)

It began to snow while we were at stake conference this past Sunday, and when it was over I looked outside, and I was thrilled. Thrilled to see the big, thick snowflakes falling, and it looked so pretty. The only issue I had was the fact that the streets were not plowed or salted, but that's how they roll up here...especially when it's unexpected. Luckily both Jon and I know what to expect when driving in the snow, and to be super cautious of other drivers. We saw so many accidents on our way home, and it was quite a sad sight.  

The 15 minute drive home ended up turning into an hour due to the snow, and even though it took forever I'm grateful for arriving home in safety. Good thing I was given a ton of chocolate by one of my dear friends at church. She must have been clairvoyant in knowing that we were going to need that for the long drive home, and it was devoured within minutes!  

As soon as we got home the kids wanted to go outside, and take advantage of this glorious weather. We didn't care that it was Sunday, and so I allowed them to go outside to venture out in the snow, and take in all the glory of a snowy mother nature. 

Sierra wasn't expecting to stay overnight for stake conference, but was happy to have been here while it snowed. Living in Philly has its advantages, but when it snows she doesn't think she would been able to play in it like this! 

 ^^ a little free falling ^^ 

 ^^ and a little bit of a snowball fight ^^

And then the next day (Monday) school was cancelled (which was to be expected), and that's when Noah and Chelsea broke out the sled, and went outside to play in the snow. Snowball fights fights, and a little bit of laughter while trying to build a snowman ended up being the highlight of that day.

And they had a blast.

It has been a pretty good week thus far with the snow and all, and even though my kids love going to school they were happy to have been home to play in this white powder. Stay tuned for part two of our second snow day later on this week!