Snow storm!

In early February, we were getting weather reports where they were predicting a lot of snow.  We usually discount these reports because in years past, they usually don't pan out and then the kids get super disappointed.  This year, as we approached the date, it looked like the snow was actually going to happen and they were predicting between 2 and 18 inches of snow.  

We were not sure about the 18 inches, but it seemed like we were going to get some level of accumulation.  And then it came!

The kids were very excited to wake up to snow...so much so that they ran outside barefoot!

It was a bit chilly!  Karina grabbed a cookie sheet to lay out so that it could collect snow for them to eat later.

Lucky also marveled at the snow.  It was his first time seeing snow in his life and we weren't sure how he would react.

It turned out that he loved it!

He ran round and round in the snow.

And he loved shoveling the snow with his muzzle.

As expected, Gabe and Karina went out to eat the snow.  Notice the bottle of Torani raspberry syrup that Karina is holding in her left hand.  She means business!

This was also the first time the chickens saw and experienced snow.  It was hard to tell what they were thinking, but they ventured out despite the cold.

They were content to explore and peck around like normal.

Here is a mandatory and obligatory group picture.  And the kids insisted that Lucky had to be in it (against his will.)

This was also the first time the rabbits experienced snow.

They have a very thick layer of fur and were just fine.  Their breed, after all, was developed in Holland.

Outside, Elvin moved the car out from the driveway so the kids could play in it.  So Xiao Yu came out to help dig the cars out.

By this time, there were quite a few inches of snow!

The crocuses were barely able to poke above the snow.

The sleds came out and Xiao wanted to be pulled along.

And then Gabe wanted a ride too.

The kids had a fun time shoveling the snow while Lucky looked on.

Elvin has a pile of wood chips on the driveway and used it to fashion a little sledding hill.  After piling some snow in the shape of a slide, the kids have fun sledding down it.

This was definitely more snow than we've gotten in the recent past.  The last time it snowed this much, Eliana was one year old.

The next day, it was still cold enough where none of the snow had melted.  To keep the birds fed, we threw sunflower seeds on the ground.

We drove to a local high school with a gradual slope in their field.  The kids sledded there for a couple of hours.

After a while it got pretty windy so we headed back home.

Gabe's clothes were all wet so he took them off in the van.  And ended up walking like this from the van to the house!

Hot chocolate was exactly what was needed!

It was now Saturday and Chinese New Year was upon us!  As usual, we made dumplings to celebrate.

The shapes started out like normal but then the kids, unencumbered by tradition, started to put their own twist on things...  

Here is Gabe crafting one of his creations.

Here is a ... we're not sure exactly what.

Soon everyone joined in.

There were also envelope packet shaped dumplings as well as ones with twisty tops.

And there were some that were round like a miniature pie.

We didn't have enough room in the fridge for all the several dozen dumplings we made.  So they went outside on our front porch, which was even colder than the fridge!

With the leftover dumpling wrappers, the kids got REALLY creative.  Karina took several, put on a dollop of butter and sprinkled sugar on top.

She also put in cinnamon, folded them in half, and then fried them in more butter.

Toast until they are golden brown, and they are pretty tasty!

And then it was time for dinner...  Karina likes the boiled ones and everyone else prefers the fried ones.

And everyone got a red envelope from Mommy and Daddy.

Afterwards, it was time for dessert.  So they went out and got a big bowl of snow!

Karina mixed hers with a bunch of orange juice.  Creative!  (And probably much healthier than the red syrup she had earlier!)

And the kids wanted to give Lucky a special treat as well.  They got some snow and mixed some chicken stock in.  Lucky loved it and slurped it up.  He is a lucky dog.

It was cold enough where the snow lasted for one more day before starting to melt with the warmer weather.

We built a fortress wall in the driveway.

Which served as protection from snow ball fights.

All in all, the kids had a wonderful time and loved playing in the snow!