Four Part Harmony

It’s been an interesting couple of weeks here in Portland. I’m not quite sure where to begin…

The snow has been coming down for days now. This is what it looked like outside this afternoon.

We’ve been pretty cooped up for the better part of a week with a mixture of snow, ice and windy weather keeping us from getting out and about very easily. My mom’s been in town (her arrival coincided suspiciously with the onset of this weather) and so we’ve been keeping busy doing crafts and making gifts and doing stuff around the house.

Here’s Anna and Grandma making some ornaments for our tree.

Unfortunately, Anna, Milo, and Nicki have all been battling a bout of sicknesses this whole time. Anna got off somewhat easy, but Milo was really quite sick for several days and is just now getting back to his old self.

Earlier this week we had a brief window of warmer weather and the snow melted enough for a trip out to lunch and a walk to the park.

When the snow fell earlier this week it was nice and soft…too cold for snowballs or snowmen, but just right for running around in. We made a train track in the front yard.

It was snowy, but manageable, and not too icy.

Then the snow really started to fall. The wind has been blowing too so we’ve had some North Dakota style snow drifts forming up against the cars and the garage.

Sunday we had our winter solstice celebration. Nicki had made some very thoughtful gifts for Anna and Milo, and had planned a bunch of activities to celebrate the changing of the season. Some of the plans were foiled by the weather, but we still had a nice day.

Here’s the hat Nicki made for Anna, and a birthday crown for Milo. She actually had made the crown for Milo’s 6-month birthday last week, so he got his gift again on the solstice (he didn’t seem to mind). They also each got a new book.

We also made some seed and almond butter covered pinecones and hung them out for the birds. Anna thought it was a little too messy, but seemed to have fun anyway.

Here they are. So far we haven’t seen a single bird, or even a squirrel. I think they are all probably pretty hunkered down too until the weather clears a bit.

Despite our best efforts to keep ourselves entertained, by today cabin fever (Anna called it cabbage fever) had started to set in. Today, with the kids feeling mostly better, and me stranded at home from work, Nicki and I left Anna and Milo with Grandma, put on our snowshoes and headed out for a walk to the grocery store.

The snow is 10 or more inches deep now, and mostly untouched. Very few cars on the road and the whole city was quiet. We met a few other walkers and a few skiers on our journey.

We went down through Woodstock park, where we take Anna all the time. I was contemplating the slide, but couldn’t figure how to do it with the ‘shoes on.

Snowshoeing down Woodstock after hitting the grocery store. We met up with our neighbor on the way home and stopped off at our local restaurant for a drink on the way. It was a much needed and rejuvenating outing.

We didn’t have anyone to take a picture of us so we attempted a self portrait. Those never quite seem to work out that great, but this one is kind of nice.

Hope you all are keeping warm and enjoying the winter weather and this holiday season.