Day 4 of Snow, When the Plow Came

These pictures don't even do justice to the situation. I wish I'd had the inspiration to take photos of the boys weaving around shoveled paths much taller than they, running from house to house to play with the other children. Only two people went to work this day, one because his work came and plowed him out (he's at the intersection), the other because he's also at the intersection. The rest of us were literally "trapped" until the snow plow came to connect our shoveled drive ways to a plowed road. Neighbors were working on shoveling the road; and in about 6 more days we would have been free, had the plow not arrived this day. DH spent hours shoveling our drive and sidewalk. I had a nasty case of bronchitis, but came out to help shovel on Monday and received some much-needed Zithromax the moment the doctors' offices reopened on Tuesday.

 

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Snowmaggedon 2016

We received about 2 feet of snowfall between Friday afternoon and Saturday night. The snow plows could not keep up with the snow removal. Here's what we're looking at:

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Life with Boys (Rocket Obsession):

The Firstborn, bringing his Lego rocket over to his brother and his,

 

"How's your rocket?"

 

"Bigger than your rocket!"

 

That's all you need to know about life with boys.

 

 

 

 

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Toddler Tidbits:

"I made a boys' car, Mama."

 

 

"Take a picture of the boys' car."

 

 

"Take a picture of the sweater."

 

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Dentist

We survived the first trip! And this child says he wants to return.

 

 

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Sisters + Layovers

We met up with this one on her way back to school!

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Hot Wheels

Otherwise entitled: How A Safety Inspection Turned into a Camaro.

We were bummed to learn on the 29th -- two days before our sedan's inspection deadline -- that the car required 4K in maintenance. This caused us to run numbers and discuss options. 

Blue Velvet Metallic 2015 Chevy Camaro

 

DH is brand loyal. He has always wanted a Camaro. He met a salesman who showed him one that was the same price as a new version of the sedan he had. This was enough for us. It's less practical than a sedan, but can still fit car seats and brings a great deal of enjoyment to DH when he wakes up and leaves for work every day in the dark and returns much later in the dark. I'm glad he has something cheerful to greet him at both of those times.

 

 

And it's a good date night vehicle.

 

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Pop Pop and Grandma Visit

The boys received this fantastic wagon for outdoor expeditions. We made use of it two days in a row while Pop Pop and Grandma visited. The first day was a balmy 70 degrees.

 

 



Andre insists on wearing this orange hat much of the time.



 We flew kites at the Washington Monument.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

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Christmas in Michigan

We made a three day trip to Michigan on Christmas Eve and enjoyed some time with DH's family. This is the first time in four years that everyone was together. So, we had to document the occasion:

 

 

Someone said, "Do something silly." Only one person did. Which of these is not like the others?

 

 

 

The kiddos had a wonderful time and received much TLC.

 

 

And many, many gifts.

 

  

 

 

  

 

So many gifts that we bought an extra organizer to keep track of everything (another day project on DH's break):

 

 

 

Our middle boy enjoyed food from everyone's plate.

 

 

 

 

The belly button fetish remains:

 

 

 

Apparently, when DH was a boy he wrapped gifts in paper bags, folded them over, and stapled them. So, of course, every year he receives at least one gift wrapped in this manner.

 

 

Grandpa and Grandma have mastered the art of gift-giving. In addition to finding perfect items, each person's gifts are wrapped in a particular wrapping paper with their name on a label with a photo that represents them. We always open one a time so that each person can enjoy the thought that went behind each gift and have a chance to say "thank you."

 

 

Also, notice how the door is open? The weather was so warm while we were there! That red door and wreath also make me happy. So pretty with that sun pouring in in the afternoon!

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