Snowed In

It is so nice to be home! We had a FABULOUS visit with our cousins Brian and Christi, Jordan, Megan and Nella, and Aunt Kathy and Uncle Jim (and all the rest of the family that braved the weather for the family party Saturday), but it is so nice to be home!

I had work in Everett Friday, and we had a Family Christmas party Saturday, so we braved the weather and took a chance and headed through Everett and out to Snohomish Friday afternoon. The weather reports said it was going to snow on Sunday ~ we had plenty of time to visit, right? So we did! But the snow came Saturday. We maybe could have made it out Saturday had it not been for the champagne and beer we'd enjoyed, anticipating an overnight stay and a drive out Sunday morning. By Sunday morning, however, the snow was sooo deep in Snohomish and we were so high up a "mountain," and the snow was still falling ... I was not about to take a chance and get stuck in the middle of a hill (or middle of nowhere!) with snow falling all around me and three kids to tote to shelter and warmth. No way.

So, we stayed Sunday as well. It snowed even more. We lost power. There was talk of little water supply/pressure, no gas stove, low propane anyway, which also meant heat would be dwindling, and there was lots of bean soup in our future (although we had lots of leftovers and pizza and didn't get need to dream of soup just yet!). I will say though that Santa was beginning to barter with the relatives in case he needed to visit the kids in Snohomish rather than in Bellingham where he'd stockpiled his goods ~ "Can we wrap that lovely, used stuffed animal?" "What did you get for your grandkids? They won't be making it up ... can we buy it off you now and replace it before you see them?" Plus three kids in homes not kid-proofed and a mom without her usual bag of activities to keep them challenged and from going stir-crazy ... I was beginning to feel like we were going to wear out our welcome if we claimed another day.

So we packed up early and hit the foot and a half of unplowed, untraveled snow. It may have the worst blind spot I've ever seen a vehicle have and next-to-no rear sight, BUT the Jeep Commander ROCKS in the snow! We made it. Slowly but surely. My new charge to you all. Seriously, people, if you have to drive, do it slowly and carefully! I have seen more accidents, spin outs, flips, etc. this week than I have seen in my whole life. And semi drivers ~ you're the worst. Slow it down (and you won't flip either Semi-Driver Guy at I-5 Lakeway exit).

Thanks, Family for putting us up and putting up with us! We had a BLAST!! *Pics and stories to come! Happy Holidays!!

And now ~ the weather forecaster is predicting more snow. We hardly made it up our hill today as it was! We have mounds of snow! Will we again be snowed in?! I've got a Jeep. And a gas stove. And propane lines. And gas heat in my floors. ... (could use a few more candles and better locate the flashlights and batteries but ...) ... Bring it on!

Let it (Keep) Snow(ing)!!