Snow much fun!

This past weekend we headed up to Lake Tahoe with our neighbors, who also have two little kids around the same age as Hannah & Samantha. We planned this a while ago and when we rented the cabin that we stayed in we were worried there wouldn't be any snow at the end of March...boy were we wrong!

Not only did we have enough snow, the Lake Tahoe region had so much snow they didn't know what to do with it all. We had the cabin reserved from Friday - Monday and on Thursday a huge storm came through, and not only that but it had been snowing all week prior. When we woke up on Friday morning we found out I-80 was closed but that it should be opening at noon. So at 11:30am we left our houses hoping that I-80 would open up for a small period of time, enough to let us through so we could get to the cabin on Friday.

As we started to approach the Grass Valley/Colfax area we started seeing trucks just lining I-80 because they had not been allowed through for a while. I of course had to take a picture b/c how often do you see a lot of semi-trucks lining the freeway.


And then when we got to Colfax the freeway turned into a parking lot because the freeway was still not open east bound, it was only open west bound.


We did move very slowly as the CHP was directing us off the freeway and speaking into a loud speaker to tell us the freeway would be closed for several more hours and they don't know when it would re-open because there was just so much snow they didn't know where to put it all. By the way, if you haven't figured it out already that white truck all loaded down with tons of stuff that is in my pictures is our neighbors truck and we were following them.

We hung out in Grass Valley at the McDonald's parking lot that was packed as was every other business parking lot in the area. We had no idea how long we would be there we were only hoping we would be let through. After only hanging out for about 1/2 hour we looked and saw the freeway was moving in the east bound direction and it appeared that everyone else realized this at the same time. Everyone seemed to jump in their car and then it turned into another parking lot trying to get back on I-80.

Once there we were cruising along just fine, but only for a little bit. As we were going up in elevation the snow quickly started growing and it started snowing quite a bit, so we had to pull over to put our chains on. Once that was done we got back on the freeway and went maybe 1/2 mile and then came to a stop as all the traffic had now caught up and we were back to sitting in a parking lot because just so many people were trying to get through.

About this time Hannah kept asking if she could go play in the snow. We told her that there would be plenty of time for that. Well in a 5 year old mind I think that she thought if I tell them I have to go the bathroom I can get out of this car seat, so that is just what she did. Normally this child has a steel bladder and she had just gone to the bathroom about 1 hr ago but she swore to us she needed to go. Well since we were moving at about 0-5 miles per hour and really making no progress at all. That yellow potty seat that you see strapped down to back of neighbors car came in real handy as we pulled it out and let Hannah sit in it and pee right there in the middle of I-80...we didn't even pull off the freeway.


You can see how much it is snowing out there and Adam was rushing Hannah along but she was taking her sweet time. It really didn't matter b/c after she was done, we really only had to move the car about 20 or so ft.

This lovely traffic continued on and on...


Samantha passed the time reading some books.


Both girls had their melt downs but for the most part did really great.

As we got closer and closer to the summit the snow levels were crazy!! As you can see from this picture they were up to the freeway exit signs and you couldn't even read what exit it was. Additionally most exits were closed b/c that is where the snow plows were moving the snow to get it off the road.


Check out how high up the snow plow is shooting that snow...


Finally after several hours both girls fell asleep and I got to enjoy reading my "People" magazine in peace while Adam drove through these fun conditions.


We finally got to the cabin in Truckee at 7:30pm...a full 8 hours after we left! The other problem when we got there is that our cabin was up in the hills up several small streets and all the street signs were completely covered with snow so we had no idea what the street names were. Additionally it was getting dark. Luckily our neighbors had GPS in their truck so we just followed where the GPS told us to go and that was the only way we found it.

The next day we woke up to it snowing some more but it looked beautiful outside. Our only plans were to hang out at the cabin and let the kids play in the snow.

Getting the kids ready to go outside was like "A Christmas Story" where kids are screaming and crying as you bundle them up to head out into the cold. The older kids, Hannah & Marie were excited to go so there was no complaints from them. But Samantha and Henry were not happy. Even when we got out there this is the face we saw from Samantha...


Then she slowly got use to it...still unhappy but at least no more tears.


Hannah on the other hand was a happy camper and happy to be eating snow.




Here is a shot of our house.


Hannah making a snow angel.


Samantha trying to make a snow angel.


Adam just threw Hannah into a snow bank and she enjoyed just sitting there.


Samantha warming up to the snow more.


Henry decided he really liked eating snow...


Then Samantha discovered the joy of eating snow and then the smiles really started.






Samantha and Henry were cracking each other up as the both shoveled snow into their mouths and made funny noises.



The Dads made a great sledding "hill" from one of the snow banks on the side of our driveway and that was enjoyed by all.






Samantha trying to shovel some snow too.


The big joke before we left was how much food we were taking. Our neighbor went out and bought a ton of food for fear of being snowed in with 4 whiny kids plus 4 adults. Couple that with the food we brought and it completely filled up the empty fridge, the counters, and empty cabinets. It was great though b/c we never once had to go out to eat!






Henry and Samantha were sleeping in their respective port-a-cribs and were jealous that Marie & Hannah got to sleep in this bed together so when their sisters were not in the bed they quickly jumped in and enjoyed lounging around. They look so cute!


The kids enjoying playing with playdough on the coffee table we moved into the kitchen so it wouldn't get the carpet dirty.


This is the house next door to us that did not get plow service and it was completely buried under the snow. The only reason we knew it was there was because we could see it from our 2nd story window.


After nap and rest time is was back to more fun playing, eating and sledding in the snow...






Hannah pretending she is a penguin and sliding down on her belly.




Marie giving it a try too.


Here the kids are building a snow man and the little ones are enjoying eating it too.








The next day we went to a snow park by Kings Beach near the lake and on the very first run Adam throws Hannah down this big hill by herself. That little pink dot in the middle of the hill is Hannah and Adam standing at the top watching her sail down.



I couldn't believe he sent her by herself and when she got off her sled all the people around were clapping for her and giving her high fives for going down the hill by herself. I see her stand up and start running towards me as her face breaks down into a full out cry. I knew that she was terrified...and she says to my while sobbing...that was so scary! But after I reminded her that she did it and nothing happened and all these people were so proud of her including me she was good to go. And then it was back to more sledding with and without Daddy...





Samantha and Henry were once again only interested in eating the snow.


We kept asking Samantha if she wanted to go down the big slide and she kept saying no. This was weird to me since she is my wild child and so I told Adam to just pick her up and put her on the sled with him. She protested but then quickly realized how much fun it was and then kept saying "again". I knew it!


Here she is sledding by herself...not from the way top but about 1/2 way...


It cracked me up how Adam picked her up and carried her...


Here is a good smile...



And of course there was time to eat more snow and have fun...





Snack time!


Hannah's cool Lunchables BIG sandwich...



Then back to more sledding...




And falling...


Hannah doing her penguin maneuvers again...




Samantha and Daddy cruising one last time...


At the bottom of the hill Adam found a new way to drag Samantha back up it. It looks like she is very injured and on a stretcher but she loved it...


The tow back to the car with both girls giggling...


The only 2 pictures with Mommy in it b/c I was the official photographer...and I had to take them myself just to document that I was in fact on this trip too...




4 Happy Kids...


On the way back to our cabin we stopped to look at Adam's Family's old cabin that they sold several years back...too bad.


Story time at night before bed time...


Final pictures on our way out of just how high the snow is...


I-80 on the way back home...

Much catching up to do...

I like Facebook for catching up with people you haven't seen or talked to in a while but it has really hurt my blog. So I am going to really try to keep up better on my blogging. Here is the last month or so in picture/stories:

Samantha really enjoys sticking her finger up her nose and just hanging out that way...its lovely I know. One day in the car I turned around and saw this pretty site:


She was completely serious until I pulled out the camera and then she cracked a little smile. She continued to sit this way for about 5 minutes. Classic Samantha.

A few weeks ago we met up with some friends at the park and Hannah enjoyed making sand angels:



Of course Samantha had to copy her big sister:


But then Samantha enjoyed laying in the sand so much and apparently felt the need to get a tan and soak in the sun.


I love the crossed leg:


Again Classic Samantha.

Here my girls are ironing after they saw me ironing...hopefully this continues for the rest of their lives...they see me doing chores and they want to help. :)



A close up of Samantha's fabulous ensemble with binoculars and pacifier included while ironing. She may need the binoculars to see some of those wrinkles really close up. :)


Earlier this month the Farmer's Market here in Davis had Pig Day. I still don't really know why they have a whole day devoted to pigs but they always have fun activities.

A picture of my little "pigs". They really wanted these pig noses (luckily they were free) and then wore them for the picture and then were done with them.


One of the fun activities were pony rides...too bad they were not free.




And here is a reminder that the Aggies are #1. :)


My great friend Jill had her daughter go through all her dress up stuff and gave my girls lots of new to them dress up clothes and a huge bag of shoes. Well my girls just were in LOVE with all the new shoes and that was the first thing they headed for. Although Samantha had never put on high heels before she took to it like a pro.



I love Hannah's pose...she is ready for her model contract.


Adam's firehouse had their annual pancake breakfast and like many years past it was raining quite a lot. The girls loved this because they could play in the rain. Samantha was so cute because she was holding her little umbrella and doing her best to shield her friend from the rain. I thought that was so thoughtful.


Hannah and her friend in the firetruck.


My girls love seeing the buses here in Davis and they love riding them even more. From time to time we will take the bus downtown on the weekends just to enjoy the ride and use our Lifetime Free Bus Riding pass. We realized though that it had been years since we rode a double deck bus since they only operate during the week. So we made plans to ride a double deck bus. As we walked up to the bus Samantha was terrified. She just kept saying "No! No!". But once we got on sat down and the bus started to move she just giggled and laughed with excitement.





Once we got off the bus Hannah ran after the buses with my phone trying to take pictures. She LOVES to take pictures with my phone.





Last but not least Samantha gave up, or I should say was forced to give up her pacifier just this week. On Sunday I went to give her the pacifier at night and I realized there was a huge hole in it that she had chewed. I pulled out the extra one we have and same thing. I rushed it to Adam and we contemplated over what we should do with it and then we both realized now would be a good time to just go cold turkey and stop using it. One problem...Samantha is addicted to her pacifier. We only let her use it while she sleeps although she has convinced us to use it while she watches t.v. too. She had 2 pacifiers, one blue and one yellow and she called them by their respective colors. So when she wanted the blue one she would say "Blue" and when she wanted the yellow one she would say "Yellow". She would usually suck on the pacifier and then rub the edge of her crocheted blanket that Adam's mom gave her and since Adam's mom goes by the name of Nali to the grandkids Samantha appropriately named her blanket "Nali".

So when we came to the conclusion that this was going to be the night that Samantha gave up her pacifier we told her that blue & yellow had a hole in them and were broken. The Pacifier Fairy was going to come (a trick we learned from Super Nanny and used on Hannah too when she gave up her pacifier) and take her pacifier, fix it up and give it to little baby to use. In turn, Samantha would get a gift from the pacifier fairy. She seemed to understand this but as our night time routine started she started asking for "blue" and when we didn't have it she started crying. I tried to give her the all important "Nali" blanket but she wanted nothing to do with it. She just continued to cry for "Blue". It took her a while to fall asleep because she kept crying for "blue" and then sometimes for "yellow". She looked so sad and it was heartbreaking but she eventually fell asleep. We knew she could fall asleep without her pacifier because everyday she naps at school without it but she was just so use to it at home. She woke up in the middle of the night crying for it again and just sat there completely sad when we would not give it to her but eventually laid down again...poor thing!

The next morning we packaged up her pacifiers in an envelope to the Pacifier Fairy and Samantha bravely walked them down to the mailbox. She opened the envelope a few times as if though she was taking one last look at them and then as you can see from her facial expression she wasn't too sure she wanted to do this.









And when she got home low and behold the Pacifier Fairy left her a package!



Opening her package:


So excited to see what is inside!!



Samantha had this St. Bernard dog that she loves and calls the Mommy dog so the Pacifier Fairy got her a Daddy and baby St. Bernard dog to go with it.



Although she says that the baby is Samantha and kind of looks around as to where the "Hannah" dog is. So what did we do the next day...why of course go get a "Hannah" dog b/c that silly Pacifier Fairy forgot her.

So the last few nights she has continued to cry for "Blue" but we remind her that the Pacifier Fairy took it and gave her the dogs instead because she is a big girl. That really hasn't stopped her from crying though. Last night was our first night with no crying!! Yay! She did a whole lot of talking but at least no crying. Hopefully that continues tonight.

Sour Puss

So how crazy is it that I didn't even post once in January...it was a crappy month. Very sick household and a surgery for me...I guess it takes up the month.

In happier news our lemon tree is producing a lot of lemons so we have a lot to go around here. We have discovered that Samantha likes eating lemons...I guess it goes along with her "sour" attitude sometimes. :)




Here is a cute picture of Hannah and Samantha wrapping themselves up like burritos in a blanket. Seriously...Hannah was pretending to be a burrito.