Snownado. Snowpocolypse. A whole lotta snow!

This is a rather long set of posts, documenting the incredible, unusual snow and ice event we are under right now. Doesn't happen often, and we aren't accustomed to views like these here in the wimpy Willamette Valley. But we are snug and safe and fine. Maybe just a little stir crazy being cooped up together for a whole 3 days. In a row. (thank heavens the electricity hasn't failed yet)

The snow began on Thursday morning. We were warned. We knew it was coming - just not quite so soon in the day. Aleaha's school had been cancelled in anticipation of bad roads, but Miri's was to be open. Between the time Mommy and Miri left the house for school & work, it was suddenly closed and we had to come back. We made a fast stop for a few provisions, knowing we were about to be house-bound for a while. And then it was batten down the hatches for the coming Snownado.... 

It brought sizable flakes and lots of wind. At our place, the drifts were significant, but some areas were devoid of snow.

Like a white-out at times. Kinda pretty. 

We know all this snow in them thar hills will soon melt and fill the gullies and ditches with the next problem - flooding.

I started watching the accumulation of snow on the shop roof. It was just so surprising to see anything like this in the Willamette Valley.

Friday was another snow day from school. Mommy & Daddy attempted work from home. Pffft. That just means we were very cranky and yelling all the time, trying to work and make sure things were OK with children and animals and buildings and such. We disallowed anyone from entering or exiting via the front porch. The snow was too deep and the kids were leaving their wet stuff by every entrance to the house, all over the place (as opposed to leaving their wet stuff in piles in just one place). And then we saw the widowmaker icicles starting to grow. Precarious.

By Friday afternoon, the roof was really snowy. Probably weighs quite a bit too. Hope those gutters are strong.

The drifts were significant. Each time Mommy left the house to do a chore, her footsteps would fill in.

Pond view was sure pretty. And chilly-looking!

Self-entertainment....documenting the growing snow-cap on the shop roof.

More drifts. Sheesh.

We shut down the fountain on Thursday and put in a single trough heater, just to prevent issues. 

Blizzardy conditions. 

Friday night check of the Klingons.

Amazingly deep.

Saturday morning there was not so much new snow, but the ice began to pelt us. Freezing rain on top of ice is Not Nice.

It's not giving up. Hanger-on'er.

Rose bush, getting icy.

Our view from the cozy office.

Crazy, trespassing ski-dude. He came over the hill, all the way down our property, then out on the road. Must have really had to get to town for supplies.

Ice from the freezing rain, as it blew onto a back window.

Aleaha noted it would not be a good idea to open the sliding door to the balcony.

Good-bye, 389

It's time. We knew it was coming when the place was put up for sale over 3 years ago. But there was only so much mental preparation that could be done that far in advance. This is one of those phase-changes that you just have to get through.

As Gramma & Grandpa's move-out-by date looms, Mommy and the girls made a trip to help pack some things and bring back sentimentals.

We had a lot of important family photos taken in front of this hearth. Recitals, Proms, Christmases, Reunions, and the autumn Going-Off-to-College shots. The background stayed predictively and comfortingly the same for the most part, but obviously we grew up.  We were working quickly to get things organized (hence wearing our grubbies), but we paused to recognize the moment and snap a few pictures. 

(Thanks to Aleaha for knowing how to use mommy's camera!)

Christmas, 1989

Fortunately we could laugh at ourselves a little to lighten the heavy feeling.

But still, it was poignant step to recognize what it means. 

After thirty-six years in the same house, you do come to expect it will always be there. 

Good-bye, 389. I will miss you. 

May the next family have a lifetime of happy memories with you too.

Snow in the Mountains

We had a fast weekend in EO to help with a big move, and that included a short trip up the mountain. It wasn't long, but the girls were thrilled to know they could get a snow fix.

Big smiles and lots of stomping around. 

There were mainly jackrabbit tracks around, until the girls got there and made their own tracks.

Hamming it up.

Weekend Fun

After breakfast, the girls made a fort from the table.

It was a cozy spot! (Took several hours to put everything back where it was supposed to be, of course)

Daddy got the Camero going and was taking it for a spin, so the girls got strapped in safely for a ride too.

Woohoo, SpeedBaby was excited!

The ol' Camero doesn't see much action anymore, but some fresh gas a little open highway made for a nice drive.

Wiley E. Coyote

The glorious sun was showed itself over the weekend, and it brought out all manner of critters. Spiffy and Mommy took a long walk around the fields and trails, and as we were traipsing along, we noticed (well, Spiffy noticed, mostly) lots of mice and voles and such. They must have been prompted by the warm weather to surface from their hiding places to get some rays.

And it seems their presence also prompted the next up on the food chain -- Mr. Coyote. We haven't seen one for some time, although they leave their evidence to remind us they are still around.

So as we are walking along the field, trying not to trip (it's hard to walk over the bumpy terrain), looky what appeared out in front of us! At first, because of the wind direction, he didn't see us, so I watched him hunt for a few minutes.

My lame pictures don't do this justice, but this bad boy was the largest coyote I have ever seen. He was as tall as Spiffy. I had to remind myself he was more afraid of me than I was of him, because he was that big!

Eventually we made a little noise and got his attention. So he meandered away. But not very quickly and not very far!

As we continued on our walk up the hill and through the trails, we went down by the apple and pear trees in this photo (above), and he just didn't really care. He was hunting in the sunshine, and he was all about his objective.

Escape to the Sun & Sand

After feeling very stuck in the fog of The Valley for far too long, we set aside Sunday to head to the coast. We ate at a real restaurant (and the girls used manners and did well), we hit up the aquarium, and then we made our way to the sand. The temperature was mild, there was no wind, and the feeling of the sun was glorious. 

We also tried to bring home some fresh fish, but that was a bust - no vendors to be found. What's up with that?

Pointing at the sea lions. Or maybe it was the sea otters?

Touching creatures.

Jellyfish (although the brights ones with tentacles got lots of raves)

Unexpectedly nice moment.

Add in Daddy's face and it's even better!

Got sand? Gotta dig!

Love this shot, with our shadows too.

"Heeeeeyyyyyyy! I fooooouuuuund something!!!!!!"

"It's a feather."

"I can put it in my hair!"

'Twas a marvelous day.