Brrrrrrr...

Quite the blizzard/winter storm passed through our area about a week ago.  It was COLD!  And lots and lots of snow covered everything. 

The snow started falling early Sunday morning.  We were up, dressed and ready to go to our first mass of the new year.  And then the snow started.  We contemplated just staying home, but decided since we would be house-bound for likely a few days, it was probably in our best interests to get out now while we could! 

And I'm glad we did!  The kids did well at mass and Rudy was really into it.  He was so curious with everything going on and even kept his hands "praying" for a lot of it.  (And since then, he randomly folds his hands and says, "See me!")  We ran into some friends and decided to get breakfast afterwards.  Pretty successful trip out! 

Couldn't leave without stopping to play some games first...

Then we were back home and had our first living room fire! 

It was so cozy ... listening to the fire and watching the snow fall...

Due to the snow and wind, the roads were horrible.  Plows had to stop in the late afternoon because visibility was so bad and their efforts were worthless with all the blowing.  Add that to -45-50 degree wind chill temps, and we were officially "snowed in"!  All the area schools were closed and several offices/stores/etc all closed for the day on Monday, too. 

So what to do on a snow day???  Make snow ice cream, of course!!

It was quite a hit with the kids... we made 2 batches that day.  One for a mid-morning snack and again for dessert.  Rudy got a kick out of mixing the ingredients, watching me gather snow, and then getting to mix in the snow.  Not to mention eating it right after!  And I will say, it was actually really good!  I finished off half of it probably :)  

And insist that your child wear pants (even if he wants them rolled up to look like shorts!)

Snuggle in cozy corner (I think Avery stayed in her pajamas every day for almost 3 days... why change when that was probably the warmest thing she could wear comfortably??)

We also did some art projects...

We had a few cozy, simple, lazy days stuck inside.  It was nice... but even nicer when the temps rose and we could get out again!