winter arrives

This winter has been absolutely blissful! It was warm enough to play outside with only a jacket until after Thanksgiving, and then even though it was cold, the typical bone chilling Omaha winter was basically non-existent. Until two weeks ago. Although we had hear that a storm was coming, it was hard to believe. Just five days before it came it hit 70 degrees, and was in the 60's until the day before the rain, turned snow, began to fall. We woke up Saturday morning to about eight inches of heavy, wet snow. When I went to get Aimee and Porter that morning, you would have thought it was Christmas. They were so excited to finally get to put their boots to work playing. It took a good twenty-five minutes to get everybody ready to go outside. Partly because they were so excited, and partly because some of our winter clothes were a little difficult to track down since putting them away last winter. I knew Pratt wouldn't last two minutes outside, so I stayed inside. I was pretty bummed though. Although I am well known for my dislike of being cold, I have some great memories of playing in the snow, and am willing to bundle up for the sake of fun. Plus, Chad didn't have any commitments this Saturday, and I didn't want him to miss this golden opportunity. Instead, I got got the hot chocolate ready. It was a good thing too, because Porter only lasted about ten minutes, and that was at least five minutes longer than he wanted to be outside. Aimee lasted a lot longer, and helped her dad get a good start on our big snowman and completed a small snow family on our porch swing. With the snow still falling though, everyone took a break. By the time I got back from a thing I had that morning, it was time for lunch and naps. With both of the boys sleeping, and the snow finally stopping (totalling 10-12 inches) Aimee, Chad and I all headed out for round two. Aimee and I rolled a ball for our snow man that we had to get a neighbors help to get it stacked on the existing ball. Our neighbors four doors down had built a pretty good snowman, and Chad refused to be out done. By that time Aimee was ready for something else though. While Chad "selflessly" continued working on our snowman, the girls headed over to the hill at the top of the playground to do some sledding. I got my workout in by sledding down, and pulling Aimee on the sled up the back up the hill a good twenty times. I admit I tired out of that one before she did. We made snow angels, went for a jog, and by jog I mean me jogging in snow clothes while pulling Aimee on a sled (and yes I did sing the Rocky theme song while I jogged), and checked the snowman progress. We went back for round two of sledding and continued until I knew I better get in the house before the boys woke up. Chad spent another hour or so packing snow, and eventually carving a snowman. He ended up being about eight feet tall and four feet wide. This picture was taken a couple of days later, but still almost shows how big he was. I think he will definitely be the last snowman standing. It was a fun day, but I think it was more fun for me and Chad than the kiddos. We decided that all of our best snow memories came when we were much older. Maybe in a few years these kinds of days will be a little more exciting to them.