Snow for Days

It's no surprise to anyone in New England when the snow starts to fall with regularity during the winter, but for my California born and raised heart, it always provides some excitement when we get our first snowfall of the year.  However, it's only mid January and we've already had our fair share of snow days this winter.  I've already begun to dream of Spring days so it could be a really long few months.

There are so many things I love about the snow.  Watching it fall from the comfort and warmth of my home with a cup of coffee in hand, the quietness and peacefulness that seems to come with falling snow, the blanket of white that covers everything, and it's quite possible that there is nothing more adorable than my girls in pom bonnets, scarves, and fur hoods.

However, there is SO MUCH WORK involved with snow.  Shoveling driveways and walk ways, scraping ice off of windshields, and spending an INSANE amount of time both rounding up all of the layers of clothing my girls need to go outside (it's seriously like a game of Where's Waldo?) and then actually putting it all on them and having them keep their hats, gloves, and scarves on before we actually walk out the door.  It's like a workout!  And then it never fails that we are only out in the snow for all of 15 minutes before someone is cold, hungry, or needs to pee.  Every time.  No joke.

But, I know I will miss it when we don't live in a place where it snows regularly and I know that my kids are really going to miss it.  Ryan doesn't know anything other than snow in the winter time which is so strange to me but it's true!  She looks forward to sledding and building "Olafs" in the backyard and she could probably spend way more time out in the snow than any of us.

Pom Bonnets | Knit Scarves | Hunter Boots | Khaki Jacket | Green Jacket Sold Out Similar Here | Letter Mug | "Magical" Shirt | Letter Board

We have been getting a little break in the snow this past week which I am so thankful for and a couple days of low 50's caused much of the existing snow to melt.  And on top of that, we are heading to California for a much needed vacation during the first week of February and are so looking forward to the WARM 50 and 60 degree weather they've been getting.  I hope everyone has had a great weekend!  Josh starts nights again this week which is never my favorite so we are counting down the days until they are done!

  

Lately

The past couple of weeks have passed so quickly and it's not that we've been out and about doing a bunch of stuff.  We've actually been at home more days than our usual due to a number of snow storms, but somehow we have remained busy despite our hermit ways.

I don't necessarily mind the snow.  It's so very pretty to watch from the inside and Ryan really enjoys playing in it.  But it takes about 6 hours to get the kids and myself dressed to go outside in it and then the enjoyment of playing in it only lasts about 6 minutes before someone is cold, or hungry, or has poop in their pants.  But, Ryan loved trying to catch snowflakes in her mouth and was pretty entertained by the fact that the snow was practically waist deep.  She obviously doesn't remember the 3ft blizzard that she was witness to last year.

However, you wouldn't have guessed we would be dealing with this kind of snow last week when we had a warm enough day that we were able to make a trip to the park!  Ry has now been asking to go daily and I have to keep telling her that it's too cold!

We moved Rory into her own room about a month ago.  She is now the only one downstairs which was a tad nerve-wracking at first but she seems to sleep really well in her crib.  Because of this, Ryan regularly ends up hanging out in our bed in the morning so we can avoid waking Rory up before she's ready.  Ultimately, when she does wake up, Ryan asks that Rory be brought into bed as well to which I happily agree to.  Anything for a little bit more lounging time.

These sister girls are becoming such good friends.  Ryan regularly says "I love Rory, I love my sister."  Which is basically the sweetest thing ever.  Then of course five seconds later she's pulling the toy away from her and saying "That's MINE!"  With toddlers, you win some you lose some.

We are preppin' to head home to California for the week and are so looking forward to time with all of our family and some warmer weather.  I'm just praying the flight with two babies goes somewhat smoothly!

New Year's Eve

It's taken me a week and a half after the fact to get to this post.  Call it the post-Christmas blues or the  "I already haven't followed through with my resolutions" guilt, but I haven't been overly motivated to do much the last few days.  Likely, it's due to a combination of Josh being on nights, Rory not sleeping well, Ryan having an ear infection (again), and me being tired (okay that's nothing new).  2016 is already starting out on such a high note!

Despite all of that, we did have a very enjoyable New Year's Eve.  It had snowed during the week and since Josh was on vacation, he and Ryan took full advantage of the fresh snow and made use of Ryan's new sled.  Rory and I even made it outside for a bit of winter fun and of course, numerous selfies.

Despite the fact that the snow poses all sorts of inconveniences for us adults, it's quite possible that my children will dearly miss the winter wonderland weather someday if we don't live in a place where it regularly snows.  Well, at least Ryan will.  Rory's face in most of these pictures shows that the jury is still out for her.

Josh and I also made it out on New Year's Eve to our friends Amy and Geordie's home for a party.  We even stayed out until 1AM, which is at least 4 hours past this Mama's bedtime.  We are getting old and as if that wasn't already obvious enough to us, as we were leaving the house and giving instructions to the babysitter, Josh put the TV on "Titanic" and said to her "Here this is probably up your alley" to which she replied "I've actually never seen it, it was made the year I was born."  Seriously, wasn't it JUST Y2K?!?!?!  Apparently not.

I'm pretty sure I drank an entire bottle of champagne on my own, we'll thank Amy's "Bubbly Bar" for that one, but it was so worth it for a fun adult evening.  Unfortunately, the ONLY picture I got of Josh and I was this one.  But I'm convinced that means that a good time was had by all. :) 

This past year was a good one, 2015 will always be remembered with fondness as it was the year that  Josh Matched into a permanent residency position as well as the year that brought us Rory Lou and made us a family of four.  It will hard to top, but I'm sure there is lots of fun in store for the Scurlock family in 2016.  Happy New Year!