Snow Day #3: In which the snow begins losing its novelty...

Sunday was Day #3 of Oregon Snow-fest 2014. We still had 6 inches of snow, plus a layer of ice (did I mention freezing rain?). Church was canceled and we, yet again, stayed home. We entertained ourselves by trying out the new pasta maker attachment for my Kitchenaid mixer that I got for Christmas. Best. Thing. Ever.  (Okay we were snowed in and bored, but it was still totally awesome.) We devoured copious amounts of fresh-made noodles and Dave decided we should never use store-bought pasta again (I wasn't quite willing to go that far). In case you were wondering, pesto made with fresh basil is one of the most delicious things on planet earth-- especially when your husband makes it for you.

Beginning on the previous Tuesday we had been watching our friend Connie while her parents were out of town until Saturday night. By Saturday day it became apparent that we would have to extend the party a little bit. Her parents managed to land in Portland and make it home from the airport (driving 10 mph the whole time). Connie ended up stayed at our house until Monday evening. Jared and Camryn were quite thrilled at this turn of events. Snow just keeps getting better and better. 

But, as thrilling as snow may be, by Sunday, day number 3 of being stuck at home began to lose a little bit of its thrill. We ran out of whipped cream and were running low on marshmallows and hot cocoa. After having massive television and video game overdoses, we decided to take a day off on Sunday. Shockingly, our children were still able to entertain themselves and not die of boredom (at least not quite). People will still figure out how to entertain themselves. And with an engineer in the house that meant building a giant marble tower using both Quadrilla and marble works. 

By Sunday, Jared began to tire of the constant companionship of his younger siblings. He realized that even the most felicitous of relationships require some help now and then, and so decided to start a support group. He had two ready and willing members in Camryn and Connie. Thus they managed to survive being marooned in a ginormous house with tons of fun stuff to do and two little siblings who refused to be invisible.  

On Monday morning Dave tried to get out the driveway to work without success. By midday, I was going crazy and so decided I was going to try to make it to my noon appointment, snow or not. With some help from a shovel I made it to both my appointment and Costco. I think I must have been impacted by cabin fever and acquired some sense of stock-up mentality-- I bought more meat for my freezer that day than I've bought in the past 6 months total. (Come on! We totally needed a 10 pound pot roast!)

The snow got slushier and wet and the roads started to clear so I took Camryn to Beaverton for her flute lesson in the afternoon. We got there just fine, but got stuck in snow coming back home. Luckily there were some kind souls who helped us push/dig the mini-van out enough to get going again.

Today the kids were back to school and my sanity is even somewhat intact. It was just about the right length of time for a snow day/weekend. Otherwise, as a Californian at heart, I may have needed to start my own version of CFCWLS-- Club for Coping with Lots of Snow.

Day 2: Oregon Snowmageddon

Saturday we were snowed in at our house. Everyone went sledding (even me). Addy became quite proficient at going down hills penguin style with no sled. 

Dave came out to join the fun and even tried his own take on "dog-sledding." It wasn't love at first slide for Sista, but by her 4th or 5th run she liked it (or was at least used to it and resigned to her fate). 

Oregon snow is kind of like Oregon sun--in that the entire neighborhood comes outside to see it. Our neighbors even brought a fire pit out front. 

We got up to about 7 or 8 inches of snow. We celebrated the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in true winter style-- with so much snow that we couldn't drive anywhere. 

The kids have made a serious dent in our Costco-sized tub of Stephens hot cocoa mix. Jackson was sad when we ran out of "whooped cream" to go on top, but luckily we had lots of marshmallows on hand. 

A couple other funny Jackson-isms: "I can't find my glubs." (gloves) He also like it when Jared makes him a smoovie (which he perceptively noted rhymes with the word "movie"). 

Addy likes to eat yee-gurt or yay-gurt. If you tell her she is in the wrong she will reply, "No, I amn't!" She also will tell you when things are "broked" or when she "woked" up. 

Jared and Camryn were seriously disappointed that I didn't let them use the snow as an excuse to get out of practicing for the third consecutive day ("But mom, there is snow outside..."). They shockingly managed to get their practicing done and still have hours and hours to sled and build igloos. 

Oregon Snow Day#1

The kids were sent home early from school on Thursday for the lightest dusting of snow. By Friday, it had turned to this. Needless to say, school was canceled.