Tag: Snow

Snow for the New Year

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The first few days of the New Year brought snow here in Seattle! The girls were thrilled. As usual we hit the road for some lunch and a drive, assuming that it would be a light and less than worrisome snowstorm. However, the weather had other plans. Within 10 minuutes of our drive the snowing was coming down heavy and fast, causing us to head back home due to slick roads. The snow lasted a few hours and then started to melt, but it was fun while it lasted! 
A fun start to the New Year!

February Snow Storm!

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When I got off of work this afternoon, Shaun and I decided to take the girls for a drive and a ferry ride. We hopped on to the ferry, got off in Kingston and headed out to Port Gamble for some of our favorite hot chocolate.
Once we had our warm cups of chocolaty goodness in our hands we decided to turn back and head to the ferry. So glad that we decided to leave then because as we did, it started to snow. Knowing how icy the roads get here, especially during a first snow, we quickly made out way back home. 
The ferry ride was fun, watching all of the snow fly into the cargo area of the ferry. The ride home was a bit of a white knuckle ride as we watched people sliding all over the place and spinning out. But we took it slow, stayed steady and made it home without incident. We drove carefully up to the house and just as we started to park in the garage we ran into our one and only porblem, grade of the small driveway up into our garage was just steep enough to keep us from getting in. We slipped, we slid, we spun our wheels and nothing. 
We eventually got the car into the garage but it involved Shaun having to run into the house to get hot water in buckets. Quickly the snow and ice melted away and before it all could freeze up again we got enough grip and traction to get the car safely into the garage. Once again, each outing is an adventure with us!
In the gas station parking lot over in Kingston. The snow is starting to come down.
Finally back on the Seattle side and the yahoos out on the road were driving like it was summer in Malibu.
So close… yet so, so far away.
With the snow comes the stillness and the quiet. I love it.

P.S. So glad that I didn’t have to work tonight. It turns out all of my co workers had to have a slumber party at work because they were snowed in!

First Official Snow in Seattle!

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The weather reports were predicting it, but all to often they end up being wrong. Yet in the early hours of the morning we woke up to a wonderful sight. SNOW! While this isnt even close to being the first time we have ever been in the snow, it was our first snowfall since moving to Seattle. And while it was short lived, the girls enjoyed as much of it as they could.
Our view at 6am. So pretty and so quiet.
Abby and Ellie were up, out of bed and dressed in less than 5 minutes when they saw the snow out their window.
My adorable little snow angels
Dancing around in the snow.
Abby snow angel…
The end result of Abby’s snow angel
Ellie snow angel…
The end result
Another snow angel ala Abby
She reminds me of Ralphie’s little brother in this one.
Winter Wonderland
Just laying around in the snow
Tiny snow man
Building a tiny snow man.
Before we knew it the snow turned in to rain and everything started to melt, but Abby and Ellie spent a good 2 hours outside taking in all the snow had to offer.

A Little Spring Snow

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April certainly has brought us some wet weather and cooler temperatures. It rained and rained and rained all day yesterday and into the evening. It was very chilly at night but not cold enough to snow here in Porter Ranch.  It was however, cold enough to snow up in the mountains in the surrounding areas. So this afternoon we decided to head up to Frazier Park and see if there was enough snow for the girls to play in. After a little diving and a bit of searching, we found lots of snow and a perfect place to stop.

Frazier Park had some snow but it took driving up towards Mt. Pinos before we found enough to play in. Once we found it, there was plenty of it. Our perfect spot already had a snowman too! The girls had a great time. Ellie was in awe of the cold white stuff that surrounded her and Abby jumped right in, trying to add to the snowman!

Our time in the snow was short lived as the clouds darkened, snow began to fall again and we started to lose daylight. Both of the girls were not happy to leave but did willingly head back to the car when they realized just how cold they were. The cool air and time in the snow gave us some peace and quiet on the ride home though, leaving the girls to sleep on the ride back. Another wonderful and very spontaneous Saturday for the Whartons.

 

Christmas Vacation in Montana… Snow Fun and Travel Through Yellowstone

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After an amazing dinner and a great nights sleep, Shaun and I woke up and headed back in to Yellowstone for the day. What a difference there was between this winter and last. For starters it was a balmy 28 degrees out as opposed to -10 degrees last year. The snow pack on the road was very thin to non existent. In most spots through the park, we could still see pavement.

The unseasonably warm weather did keep many of the animals away though. So no wolves for me this year. We had been told about several animal carcasses that the wolves had been frequenting for food but to no avail. We did see the usual bison throughout the park and even a long trail of them heading out to Hayden Valley. We also had the chance to catch two coyotes trying to catch mice in the shallow snow and grass.




The only road open in the park to vehicles is the road from the North Entrance at Mammoth to the Northeast Entrance in Cooke City. Shaun and I decided to drive the entire road and it was beautiful! On the way back we stopped to eat the sandwiches we bought before coming into the park. We hadn’t been stopped more then twenty minutes, so when we tried to start the car and it didn’t we were completely baffled. It was our battery and we were stuck in Yellowstone, with cell phones that did not work, and only a few people near by. Luckily one of the few people sitting at the lookout waiting to a glimpse of a wolf had a portable jumper kit.

Once the car was running, we got back on the road and decided to head back to my parents house just to be safe. The drive through Paradise Valley was beautiful at sunset, despite having to keep our eyes on the sides of the road in anticipation of deer, which were everywhere. We had such a wonderful time but it was nice to get back and see the girls. They were somewhat excited to see us, but you could tell they had a great time with Grandma, Grandpa and Auntie Jillian.




During the day Abby and Ellie watched movies and played. When Ellie took a nap, Grandpa took Abby outside to play in the snow. She had a great time, rolling up snow balls, making snow angels and enjoying what was left of the snowfall from a few days ago. She even sat and what was left from their snowman for a picture. I good day was had by all, that’s for sure!

A Snow Day

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Today was a typical day that the mountains can bring in spring. We woke up to weather in the low 30’s and well, a bunch of snow… close to 8 inches to be exact. When Abby woke up, she sat at my parents sliding glass door looking onto their patio. She and I sat and watched it snow for about 30-45 minutes and watched the birds try and get to the bird feeders in the wind and snow. I have to say it was a wonderful 45 minutes. So peaceful and relaxing.

Because of the snow we stayed at home and enjoyed the warmth. The day was relaxing and pretty uneventful. Abby spent time playing with her toys, watching Fraggle Rock and watching the snow and the birds outside. It was the first time in a while that we were actually able to just spend time together without having to worry about other obligations and responsibilities. There isn’t a lot to report, other some a few snapshots of the day. It was lovely!

Snowy view from my parents porch.

Abby, still in her P.J.’s watching the snow fall and the birds try to get at the bird houses on the porch.

“Ohhhh mommy… SNOW!”

Auntie Jillian and Abby watch the snow. Jillian is wishing she didn’t have to drive to school right now!


Abby is singing to Pooh and rocking him in the rocking chair that was once mine and Jillian’s.

Cuddling up with Pooh, watching Fraggle Rock. Nothing is better on a cold snowy day!