In Like a Lion

 People finally got power back after that ice storm, the puddles were finally starting to dry up, and there was no ice nor snow on the ground, then we got hit with a snowstorm Friday afternoon. Luckily, school wasn't canceled because they followed the weather predictions, which were actually pretty accurate. However, they did cancel after-school activities, which was also a good call. The one thing that wasn't canceled was Victoria's dance practice and parent meeting immediately following it. Next weekend is our next competition and George didn't want to practice the night before the competition. Jason was perceptive as we watched the snow pile up outside. There was more lightning, which they call "Thundersnow" and is a song that Kai played in orchestra recently. Jason and I agreed that he should go with me to the meeting so that he could drive Peppa (Victoria's car) home while I drove Cinnamon. 

Good thing he did! When we came out of the meeting into the 6 inches of snow that had just fallen in the previous 5 hours, Peppa being only a little Ford Fusion, couldn't carve its way through the unplowed snow. So, Peppa had to stay at the Summit Friday night while we all drove back in Cinnamon. Another good thing since the defrost wasn't working and I couldn't see a thing! The windshield was fogged up, the snow was coming down, and it was night. So Jason had to take over and try his best to get us home safely. Victoria thought the adventure was a blast. 

Again, we kept our power, but many places lost it. Lots of trees were ruined, due to the fact they just went through an ice storm and then got pounded on with heavy snow. Here's what our yard looked like yesterday morning.

The way they bend is not good!

That apple tree was always leaning, but we believe it is now uprooted because it's leaning too much.

The forsythia in front looks awful! 

Around 11am on Saturday, the roads were still not plowed and Jason had to go through the grooves of previous cars, surrounded by piles of wet snow on the roads themselves, to help a friend whose car was in a ditch from the night before. When I left at noon, the roads were better. I took Erik and a couple of friends sledding, which was the only good thing out of this storm. Erik got to sled this winter, which hadn't happened due to Austin's broken arm, and Austin and his friend didn't even want to come with us, now that his arm is healed. Oh well, we had fun and it turned out to be a beautiful sunny day!

short sleeves! It got warm!

Erik found this heart-shaped snowball.

This is today and we are enjoying more sun!