BlizzardWatch2016

We got the kids snow shovels back in November, and Jason was such a hard worker!

 Sometime last week the entire country became aware of a giant snowstorm heading for the East Coast.  As a teacher, I welcome snow days.  Timmy wasn't a happy camper because snow = no work = no pay.  In the end, it was out of his control since DC got over 2 feet of snow and Timmy couldn't have gone to work even if we didn't get 15+ inches ourselves!  
The snow started with a small shower last Wed, causing school closings for Thursday.  Then the county closed school for Friday in preparation for the snow that would soon be falling.  The snow started around noon, and we got a good 5-6 inches by nightfall.  Apparently, the good times started after dark, because we woke up to a foot of snow!  And it didn't stop there!  The howling winds came in by noon Saturday, along with another 3-5 inches of snow!  It was truly blizzard conditions, and we were stuck inside.  
We started shoveling out yesterday, and it has taken through today to get the cars unearthed and the driveway semi-clear.  With evening temps in the teens all week, I'm doubtful I'll be back at school until next week.  And the weather channel is now calling for another 1-2 inches Tuesday night and 2-3 inches Thursday night!  

This is Friday afternoon, when we had a fun 3-4 inches of snow and it wasn't hard to get around the yard.

Something about snow brings out the wolf in a lab.  Willow was having a ball!

The snow picked up.  This was Jason walking down our road with about 6 inches of snow.

This was us shoveling out the driveway yesterday afternoon.

Figure Skating Champions! Sort of.....

 When I asked Garrett what he was doing for Shelby's birthday this year (January 10), he came up with the idea (with a little help from me) to take her ice skating and for sushi.  Shelby used to live in WA state and Maine, so loved to ice skate and was thrilled with the idea.  The only rink around here is in MD and is open for skating from 1:15-3:15 PM each day (ice hockey and lessons get it for the rest of the time).  I have only been ice skating twice, and both times were in high school.  As soon as I stepped on the ice, it all came back to me.....the way I have to cling to the wall as I painfully make my way around the slippery rink.  Between Caroline and me, we managed to get Emily around the rink a few times with no falls!  Yay!  Emily is an honest soul, and once she'd made it around 4 times, she declared herself finished and said she was ready to leave.  We watched the older 3 enjoy some ice time and hung out in the "spectator" section.  Then it was off to Japan Express for some overpriced but tasty sushi and then off to home!
Why did I bring Emily with me, do you ask?  Two reasons:  (1) Timmy hyper-somethinged a disk in his back and was immobile for 2 weeks.  Had to bring at least one kid with me, and Jason is more likely to hangout and watch a show with Timmy than Emily and (2) ever since watching "Lord of the Rink" on Sofia the First, Emily was CONVINCED that she would excellent at ice skating.  I think our trip calmed down her confidence :)