Never Ending Nor'Easters

March has plagued the Northeast Nor'Easters, pummeling us with 3 major storms in just 10 days.

The first was really windy, the third was really icy, but the second was a monster.

A monster that dropped 24 inches of snow in 8 hours.

School was canceled for 3 days.

Most were left powerless for 5 days.

monster snowman for a monster storm

We were fortunate to only lose electricity for 24 hours, and with our blessed generator, spared feeling any of its effects.

 We spent the next several days trying to fill our home with as many powerless people as possible.

  Because everyone needs a little heat, and warm food, and hot showers and charged phones in the middle of a winter state of emergency.  And we remember that need all too well.

 Plus, the kids loved occupying their time with so many different faces.  After five days, we were all a little desperate for a break from the monotony (and each other). 

Ryder and Allen continued to prove their awesome, spending the mornings and afternoons out selflessly serving others: filling gas cans, searching for and setting up generators, and shoveling the stuck.

They were, quite literally, the power {providing} duo.

 Winter always seems to provide an unexpected experience.

But now, I am really really just expecting/counting on/begging for Spring.

February iPhone Dump

Let's be honest: February lacks any real redeeming qualities.

But, the temperatures finally warmed up enough to not spend every. single. waking. second. indoors.

And so, snowboarding ensued.

On solid ice.

But beggars can't be choosers.

 Speaking of ice, Ryder camped on a frozen lake. I cannot comprehend why.

 Okay, Valentine's Day is a true goodie, so there is that in favor of February.

 Also, there was that 77 degree day that made us all feel a little footloose and fancy free.

And I do really heart these two basketball buddies.

Fine, there are a few redeeming qualities can be found in February.  

January iPhone Dump

January was quiet.  As all January's go.  

Because January's are terrible.

The end.

A little ward New Year's bowling.

 A Melting Pot meal

Proof that January is THE WORST.

 Allen spent a week in California traveling for work, but managed to sneak in a couple San Francisco days with his mommy dearest 💓

The always anticipated winter piano recital.
Wherein my children attempt to prove that all my dollars are not actually being flushed down the toilet.

 Jury's still out if it worked.

Happy that's over.  The whole of it.

Windy City Weekend

We were lucky enough to be invited to a little mid-January weekend getaway.

 Our vacation partners-in-crime, Brian and Kelly, treated us to a taste of Chicago.  And it was delicious.

 Our first day we selfied extensively at The Bean, strolled along the majestically frozen Lake Michigan (it was breathtakingly beautiful and mesmerizing and just really, really cool), dined on the most magnificent Mexican at Topolobampo (still dreaming of that dinner), and drank it all down with milkshakes bigger than my head.

We know how to tourist.

 Our second day we ventured to the Chicago Cultural Center (originally built as the Chicago Public Library) and admired the largest Tiffany Glass dome in the world.  It was a gorgeous.  

Then stopped for THE VERY BEST BRUNCH in all the land at Bar Siena.  

Please take me back right now.

 And capped it all of with the gift that got us to Chicago:

Hamilton.

 It lived up to hype.

Every last drop of it.

 We sent the boys back to Jersey spend their Sunday Bishopric-ing, while Kelly and I snuck in a teeny bit of shopping and a significant amount of snacking. 

It was the most wondrous, relaxing, exhilarating, satisfying, needful little weekend.

Bless you Chicago, you're a gem!