Snow Day! (For Real)

It finally happened, snow in Raleigh, really the first big one we've had since 2010! 

Our snow holiday from school, that continues today, began on Tuesday when Wake county schools closed in anticipation of the storm that all weather outlets said wouldn't arrive until 3 pm at the earliest. My "weekend", i.e., Tuesday morning with all the kids in school, was foiled as everyone was home bouncing off the walls waiting for the snow to start. Here's the street as of 3 pm Tuesday afternoon, not too much danger.

The storm did begin in earnest around 5:30 pm, and by 6:30 pm we were out walking, taking it all in. 

Sometimes it's hard to believe when the predicted storms actually come to fruition!

Wednesday morning we woke up to a white blanket across the city and our yard, as well as temperatures in the teens, not expected to rise over 26 deg F. It's such a rarity to have it stay cold after it snows down here.

Meghan prepares to go out and play in the snow for her very first time!

Well unless you count this from last year (which I don't!).

The kids had fun in the morning just exploring the backyard under the new light of snow.

Super slippery snow slide!

Humoring me with a snow picture or several.

Wade Ave at 10:30 am.

Our winter wonderland.

Jack had a lot of fun raking the snow off of various objects in the yard.

Clara's snow angel.

Back inside to warm up.

After lunch we headed out for the kids first sledding experience. I think Brec and I were as excited as they were. Meghan hitched a ride to the hill.

It may look different covered in white, but this is familiar territory for us - it's Jack's rolling hill! Turns out it's an excellent one for sledding as well.  First run of the season!

A different section of the hill.

Making the trek back up.

Jack just barely makes it on the sled.

Now taking you inside the action, first person sledding!

Clara runs down the hill with Sydney who seems to have recovered from surgery just fine

Last run of the day... Jack's a little tired.

Snow angels

Jackie boy's snow angel

Our street mid-afternoon.

Christmas Card Outtakes

Thanks to the wonderful photos taken by Katie Hyman Rittershaus during our November photo shoot, I did not have to sweat pictures for our Christmas card this year. This biggest problem was which of the many fabulous photos to use. For this reason it was first time I ever selected card that used more than one picture.

Despite the fact that my main early stressor was averted, I nevertheless like to have a few pictures of all three kids to capture this time of year and to use for the month of December on my annual calendar. This year proved to be as "fun" as ever with respect to snapping a "good"picture. To be clear my definition of "good picture" has changed over the years. Previously it was the subjects looking and/or smiling at the camera. Now it usually involves hopefully smiles, two out of three looking at the camera, and hopefully nobody obviously disagreeing with task at hand.

First try, the old standard: the bathtub. Great for so many reasons - don't have to worry about outfits and the kids are contained. Sadly we're getting to the point where are days of these pictures are numbered. They rarely take baths all three at a time any more. It's just too crowded. Most bath nights begin with Jack and Meghan in the tub playing together for a long while. Then once they get out, Clara hops in to quickly get washed. She "doesn't like baths anymore". But in the name of getting calendar pictures for the month of December, I attempted the three-in-the-tub shot. Here's how they turned out.

Post-bath dressed in Christmas PJ's, second photo attempt in front of the Christmas tree.

Jack's version of a smile. Clara is tickling Meghan to get her to smile.

Probably my favorite.

Only for silly faces will Meghan remove her Nuk.

Once they've gone silly, it's hard to reign it in.

And Jack has left the building.

Just to show you how wound up and crazy the kids were while I was trying to get a good picture.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

It rained in Raleigh the majority of the first two weekends in December. Luckily on Sat. the 7th we were able to purchase our tree during a break in the rain. On Sunday we hauled the decorations down from the attic and starting getting our house ready for Christmas.

Stockings up and ready! 

Santa Clauses abound!

Tree is in and standing.

Jack has been very interested in power lines and cords these days, so he looked upon the strands of lights with interest.

First ornaments placed.

A little help from Mommy with the breakables.

In front of the finished product!

The following weekend we were out in the backyard early Saturday morning to beat the cruddy weather. Meghan decided she was chilly and opted for a scarf to keep her warm.

Clara put on one of my hats.

As part of Sydney's continuing rehab from her knee surgery this past September, she needs regular walks with yardage increasing bi-weekly. Jack has been accompanying Brec on these typically in the afternoon. Their current route takes them past a nearby church with a large grassy knoll. Jack enjoys rolling down the hill.

One weekend closer to Christmas... you know what that means: Wrap Central is in full effect!

Pop-pop has the biggest present under the tree.