Winter Ice and snow storm

Well blogger friends, it did indeed snow Wednesday morning....and plenty!  We got somewhere between 5 and 8 inches, but by the time I had ventured outside with my measuring stick, the snow had turned to ice crystals and was flattening our fluffy white stuff.  So, I don't have an official tally for our yard.  But I can assure you, it was DEEP (for us, anyway).

Jeremy stayed home and tried to work in our basement for a couple of days while the kids and I watched the snow and then ice/freezing rain come down.  I was treated to lots of fun bird watching and even found a hummer friend waking from it's overnight hibernation on one of my feeders.  There's been plenty of snow play: sledding, walks, and we even were treated to Jeremy's snow ice cream last night (we had one more bout of fluffy snow).

A hummer on my feeder, just waking up.

Wednesday night to Thursday it was all about the ice.  Trees were heavy with the weight of it, and lots of branches fell, causing wide spread power outages.  We were lucky, and kept our power on, but there were plenty of flickering moments.  Aunt Diede and her friend Neil came over Thursday afternoon to warm up a little.  We spent a few hours playing board games and hanging out. 

Darla was loving the new icy hill!

 Ice storm!

This morning, the warm air made it's return, and the whole region is rejoicing! Derick has missed a whole week of school, and Darla missed her first week of dance classes at RCC. I've been doing pretty good, here at home, but finally ventured out this afternoon, to restock the larders from Costco.

***Update, Jeremy has (hopefully) fixed my computer.  Either way, I was able to see my photos and upload them!  Yay!***Sadly, my day ended yesterday on a sour note. Right after I had transferred my ice photos off my camera, my computer blue screened. My heart broke, knowing that I may have just lost alot of photos that I haven't backed up.....sigh. Jeremy took the CPU apart and he thinks it's the power supply. I just hope that it's going to recover. So, sorry there are no photos to go along with my post. I hope someday in the near future, I will be able to add them.

Snow is in the forcast

Yup, that's right, we are finally getting this "Terrible Winter" that the forecasters have been talking about for months.  It started for us in Renton, on Sunday afternoon, about 2pm.  We got about three inches and have been getting snow showers here and there ever since.  We've had some good times, so far.

 Derick's first snowman, made on Sunday before we got much snow.

 Darla, actually enjoying the snow this year.  She's got good snow clothes, thanks to a friend's hand-me-downs and I think she just gets it now that she's three.

 Neighbors, playing. 

 Daddy has to get the big sled out!

 Our first good sized snowman

 The garden, with snow on it. 

 Monday afternoon, Jordan and Jewel came to play, but by the time they got here, most of the snow was melted.  Boo. 

So, now we are waiting with great anticipation for the MAJOR snow storm that all weather people are claiming is coming.  We are supposed to get 5 to 14 inches of snow tonight and tomorrow.  School districts have canceled classes already.  Everyone was crazy shopping for food today (so I heard, I didn't bother venturing out-we are stocked already).  I'm holding out until I see it for myself.  You can be sure an update is coming.

Time to unwind

My dear friend Diede had a brilliant idea this year for Christmas.  Instead of giving gifts to each other, why didn't we just plan to spend TIME together?  So, that's what we did!  We looked into renting a house for the weekend, but instead decided to stay at the Barretts and spend the money on food and entertainment.  It was a lovely weekend, just for adults.  We ate, drank, talked, danced, played pool, explored Poulsbo, played Wii, and even slept (a little). 

Friday Night dinner at a wonderful Japanese restaurant in Lynnwood called, Susumu.  AMAZING food and great entertainment.

Saturday morning was a SLOW start as we sipped coffee and watched a little snow come down.  We finally were motivated to get out of the house when our tummies started growling loud enough. 

We lunched at another great place called Bob's Burgers and Brew.  It's a local Everett place that was pretty yummy and VERY filling. 

After lunch, we headed out to explore a little.  We caught the Edmonds/Kingston ferry and drove on to Poulsbo.  Brian and Senta were married there, so it was fun to reminisce and see the sights of the pretty little town.

 Pretty neat views from the ferry...it was rain/snow mixed and quite cold!  But the fresh air felt good too.

 We stopped at the local bakery to bring back some treats for breakfast the next morning. 

Window shopping in Poulsbo. 

Jeremy and I stopped into a fun shop called, Europa Bottleshop, on the main street.  They had a wonderful selection of beer and wine from other countries.  We brought home a case of several different beers to try.  This was one of the beers that Jeremy remembers drinking when he was in Germany for the US Army.

After all that walking we warmed up with a drink and nachos at Voodiez.  Back in Everett, the snow had really been falling, so we changed in to comfy clothes, turned up the tunes and relaxed while it came down outside. 

We had a wonderful time visiting with our friends.  Thanks to Jodi and Brian for watching the kids for us and thanks to Brian, Senta, Diede, and Jeremy for just being you.  I am blessed!!



A Boop Rendezvous

The Boops gathered this weekend for our annual after Christmas party.  It's become our tradition to start the new year out with a Boop Rendezvous!  I love it, it's always alot of laughs and a lot of great food.  We celebrated again at the Kunz Ranch in Redmond.  After dinner, we exchanged lots of true White Elephant gifts.  I actually made out well, with a hanging planter and Jeremy did too with popcorn, candy, and a strange beer-like drink with a new pilsner glass. 

 Darlene and Gary, sister and brother

 Some of the ladies: Stef, Ali, Barb, Stacie, Darlene, & Julie

 Gary and Barry

 Cousins Jack, Cooper, and Derick

 Cooper with his 'almond' hot cocoa. 

 Jeremy and I.

 Yes, I love to take photos with my camera.  No, they don't all turn out well.  But, some of them do.  Can you feel the love?? 

Drew and my eyeball

After the gift exchange, Brian pulled out the rock band the Boops, well, ROCKED!  Thanks for a fun party, all!  Much love from the J2D2 crew.

Hanging with the Cousins

We got to hang out with the Kunz kids this weekend and spend some quality time together.  Here's some pics of our fun time.  We played lots, ate well, and even slept pretty well too!

 A quick park play on our way home, it was COLD out there!  Brrrrr!

 Waiting for Derick at the bus stop, brrrrr again!

 After dinner, we made a gingerbread house.  And then, we ate it!

Breakfast the next morning: Fluffy Cocoa pancakes, per Cooper's request.  :)

4 teeth, pulled today

So, just before the holiday busy time, Jeremy and I noticed a few new teeth in Derick's mouth.  Most of them were expected, his 6 year molars.  However, we noticed one that was coming in just behind one of his lower front teeth.  The baby tooth was not wiggly at all, so off to the dentist we went today to have them look. 

Sure enough, after getting his first 180 degree x-ray, his adult teeth were on the move.  But there wasn't enough room for them with all those baby teeth still well rooted!  So, out came 4 of those sweet, little baby teeth.  Derick was so brave!  I think it was harder on me, than him.  He was given nitrous (laughing gas) and a local numbing agent.  Once all that was in effect, doc just pulled them right out with a twist of his wrist! 

After a dinner of soft foods (yogurt, banana, small pieces of brats-his fav) he was tired enough for bed.  We read our tooth fairy story and got some video of him putting his little box of teeth under his pillow.  I sure hope he wakes up a happy little boy.  I know he's looking forward to showing his teacher his missing teeth, tomorrow! 

My Main Squeeze

As I begin this new year, I have been doing alot of reflecting; thinking about where I am now compared to a year ago.  Of course, lots of changes have come.  But one of the constants in my life has been Jeremy.  This last year has had it's emotional challenges.  I continue to go through pre-menopause (and at 38 with two young kids-it's been emotional!).  My father was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer in May; that's been very emotional too. Through out it all, Jeremy has been there, at my side.  He's not perfect,  no one ever is.  However, I think he's perfect for me.  He holds me when I just need to be held.  He comforts me where there is pain.  He makes me laugh.  And, he makes me feel beautiful; inside and out.  He comes home from work, ready to be Daddy when he walks through the door.  Sometimes his presence is all that I need, knowing backup has arrived turns my attitude around.  He takes days off of work, just so I can support my parents.  He makes a huge effort to help with housework and yard work.  He loves me, even when I feel crazy and angry and totally unlovable.  He takes care of our things with a special kind of thoughtfulness that is unique.  He loves his children deeply and it shows with how involved he is in their daily lives.   

 Jeremy and I, our first christmas together.  December 2001

Jeremy and I, this Christmas.  Decmeber 2011

This last year, our marriage and relationship has climbed to a new level of trust, love, and depth.  I feel so very grateful.  Today, he went back to work after 11 days of vacation.  I miss him.  Thank you, Babe, for being you.  You are my star and I love you so VERY much!

Welcome 2012!

Jeremy and I spent New Year's Eve with dear friends drinking and laughing and playing games together.  And our kids spent the evening together, in a different location, doing much of the same things. 

My friend Jenn posted this quote on her facebook page and I liked it so much, I borrowed it.  Lovely words for a fresh new year.

I Choose…
to live by choice, not by chance;
to make changes, not excuses;
to be motivated, not manipulated;
to be useful, not used;
to excel, not compete.
I choose self-esteem, not self pity.
I choose to listen to my inner voice, not the random opinion of others.

Happy New Year to all!