The Smith Family Times

How High's the Snow Mama?

Crack high and risin'

(Susan): Well, the snow is a bit higher than the dust level inside the house. All said, 9-10 inches. Today it is melting. On Thursday, I busted out of class early and took the kids sliding Minnesota style. Sam wouldn't go down the hill, no way, no how, but Abbey and Tessa had a blast. They were featured on the Channel 9 news at 5 as the newscaster made a live report from Suicide Hill. The Herzberg's will recognize this as the outfield with the hill from Memorial weekend. It is sure a lot more fun to come down in a sled than to run up chasing one of Uncle Tom's hits.

Tessa and tree of snow

Ready to go up

Coming down

Having a blast

Five Inches High. . .

And It Just Keeps Coming Down!

(Susan): We are setting a record here in Kansas City having last had three inches of snow on this day in 1913. I just went out in my jammies with my quilting ruler and it is currently five inches high and rising. School has been cancelled for tomorrow already. We were all lucky to get home today as it was very slippery. The kids played outside while I reminisced with a snow shovel, we managed the first two inches pretty well, but that has all but become irrelevant as it continues to dump. We are now all snuggled in for a long winter's nap.

Snow Angel

Sam takes a run

Rosy cheeked girl comes in for hot chocolate

Before

During

New peep hole into shower created by jack hammer (Rob thinks we should keep it. I'm kidding. . . )

You Know It's Cold When. . .

Poor Summer (one of our four seasons statues) longs for warmer weather or maybe just a kleenex (trust me, you do not want to see her nipples)

(Susan): Tessa had no school again today and her friend Abbey came to play. We all watched Spiderman on the cartton network and fell into an early slumber. We are anxious for the weekend which will bring some post Christmas shopping and some pre-4th birthday party shopping. Sam says he wants a combination Spiderman and Batman cake so we will see what Hy-Vee can do!

More icicles along the fence line

Coated tree branches have so far not started breaking off in our yard

Tessa enjoys the snow (for about ten minutes)

Poor flower fountain

Captain Static Shock prepares to fight crime

New transom window frames above the bathroom sinks get painted

Plaster medallion left in upstairs closet by previous owners finds a new home in the new bath!

Holy Ice Storm, Batman!

Yogi the Stone Lion sprouts fangs courtesy of the ice storm

(Susan): The winter storms are upon us in full fury with an inch of ice, no school today and more expected. We have our flashlights loaded, the candles and matches out and a load of fire wood ready. We should be able to retain heat through our radiators if the power goes out. It is snowing now on top of the ice and we ventured out for about fifteen minutes before everyone's fingers and toes called it a day. Tonight is movies and popcorn and a blazing fire!

The kids and I decided at the last minute to drive to Minnesota and surprise the Herzbergs for New Years Eve. It is a seven hour one way car trip and we did it! Uncle Tom and Aunt Lisa knew we were coming but no one else. What a fun surprise it was. Kat, we can still hear you screaming. It was a nice relaxing weekend and we made it back home safe and sound in the nick of time.

Icicle lights

What the heck? David and Michelle try to make sense of an unexpected sight

The girls play kitties

The boys play computer games

Sam plays hand held pool

Sam enjoys his new Christmas sleeping bag and a cozy fire

Mom gets a box of Kahlua coffee from Zanny

"It's Beginning to Look Alot. . ."

(Susan:) Okay, so maybe we hoped and prayed a little too hard! Six inches and still coming down. The kids are still asleep but will be delighted when they wake up. The picture of the tree above was taken minutes after I pushed Rob out of the driveway twice, where upon he got stuck on the street to be pushed again by another motorist and then the worst, he slid through an intersection down the block and wrecked his car. He is okay and has walked back home and is having tea in the kitchen waiting for a tow truck. He will have to take my car which is currently over in Ruth Ann's driveway since her car is in the shop and who knows what I'll do. Stay home and play with the kids? Some folks are without power as this is our usual heavy wet snow with lines drooping. So far we have power, but it is still coming down.

We had Christmas lights, now they are laying on the ground

Remember the yucky peeling radiator? Now all new and shiny and sitting in the hallway. If the power goes we will hopefully be able to quickly hook them up and have heat via the gas boiler.