Blizzard Fun

"March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb" doesn't really apply here.

The past few days I experienced my very first official blizzard. By the media blitz before-hand, you would have thought it was the end of days. There's not alot going on around here. :) However, because of the heavy media coverage, I was actually prepared for the snow and wind that came late Thursday night. It was a little weird, Thursday after dinner, watching Eli and Brad play basketball in driveway in 70 degree weather and anticipating the coming storm.

But we were prepared. I had stocked the pantry full of blizzard staples: cookies, milk, stuff to make french toast (the really good kind), enchiladas, queso, coffee, creamer, and Diet Coke. It took a trip to Sam's and a last minute run by Brad to United (which apparently everyone else in Amarillo felt the need to do) to be fully prepared, but better safe than sorry. And we were even a little disappointed Friday morning when there seemed to be just a smattering of snow on the ground. However, the wind was blowing 40mph and it was COLD! I think it probably even seemed colder because of the beautiful weather we'd been having the week prior. As for the snow, it just snowed and snowed all day long. I even learned something about myself during this blizzard: I don't mind the snow and bad weather (in fact, I kind of enjoy it) when I don't have anywhere to go. Schools and businesses all over the area were cancelled so I think everybody just stayed inside and enjoyed the unexpected holiday!

Friday morning the kids decided to go out and play. (Of course.) After layering them up in pajamas, jeans, sweatshirts, two pairs of socks, snow bibs, snow boots, scarves, heavy coats, hats, and mittens they were ready to go outside. I opened the back door and Eli was off like a shot. Phoebe stood there and cried, "Eyes hurt! Eyes hurt!" The wind was a little strong so Brad went up to the attic and pulled out the ski goggles. I put them on Phoebe and once again ushered her to the back door where she stood at the open door and cried, "Too cold! Too cold!" So she came inside and had a snack! That's my girl.


Eli only stayed out a little bit longer (the wind was really wicked!) and then we just spent the rest of the day playing games, watching movies, baking cookies, folding laundry, and cleaning bathrooms (it was Friday, after all).

Today is when the real fun started!

The wind wasn't blowing and it had stopped snowing so Phoebe decided she might brave the great outdoors with her daddy and brother.

Doesn't she look thrilled?


Then the next-door neighbors came over and we had an impromptu sledding party.
Of course, neither of us had sleds, so we had to improvise with inner-tubes. The dads tried it out first to make sure it was "safe".


After two runs, one of the inner-tubes slid over our sidewalk and got a hole in it. We covered the sidewalk with snow after that, but we were down one inner-tube. Eli and the neighbor boy sledding together. Eli was wearing the orange goggles.


Then Phoebe started telling her daddy, "I syide! I syide, Dad-dy!" So he carried her up and down they went!


When those neighbors got cold and went home (they let us borrow their inner-tube, though!) our other neighbors came over for more sledding fun! They brought more sledding toys and an actual sled. Phoebe now had a sledding partner in Emma.


The crazy boys!


After taking 272 pictures and one sled ride, I was really cold so I went inside to make coffee. The sun continued to shine and the temp got up to 45 and melted most of the snow. At this point, it's a little hard to believe we had enough snow to sled with, but I have the pictures to prove it! I think I'm going to work on an action-shot post for tomorrow!

What did anyone else do on their snowy Saturday?