Lots of Snow!

We finally have A LOT of snow!!!!

I sure had my doubts about the predictions of significant snow here, but it seems that they were right for once.  I can't remember the last time we had this much snow, even in Iowa!  Yesterday the Gracie and Owen were outside for more than a couple hours after their early dismissal from school.  They stayed out until dark and then were back at it again before 9am Saturday morning.  I think they have really missed the snow!  It started on Friday and has not really quit. The university was shut down on Friday afternoon, but of course, Nick had to stay and didn't get home until Friday evening after dark.  He also had to go back in on Saturday morning to make sure basketball teams could get to the arena.

Gracie is wondering why Owen's head is in the snow.

 

We ventured out onto the road and tried some sledding on one of the hills.  We met the snow plow and chatted for a bit with the man driving it.  He seemed to be in good spirits and I was shocked that they had made it out here already.  However, it continued to snow, so I'm hoping they'll come out again.  I cannot believe how long it has been snowing!

Notice Owen's left hand.  I had to defend myself.

This was about an hour after it started snowing on Friday afternoon.

Do you want to build a snowman???

Gracie and Owen built a snowman taller than Gracie.  

I looked outside later and noticed that it was gone and asked Owen where the snowman went.  He said that they tackled him and can build another one later.

Owen enjoying the snow.

Snow angels!

Gracie out in the snow.

I have even ventured out. Luckily it's not very cold or windy, so it hasn't been bad being outside.  However, it's a lot of work trying to walk through that much snow!

Tom wasn't convinced that the snow is a good thing.

So...this was just last weekend!  It was 60 degrees and really nice for January.

Nick convinced Thor that the water isn't so bad. 

He had Thor standing in the pond and drinking it.

I think Thor enjoyed his stroll outside of his fence.

And Rain...

This was on January 31 when we had tons of rain.  Our pond is full again and was overflowing.  This was the day of the Mizzou bowl game in Memphis.  It wasn't too bad outside, despite the rain.  Owen and I took a little walk around to see all of the "flooding."  Meanwhile Gracie and Nick were in Memphis in the rain and cold.

Owen standing next to the pond

This is where we usually can cross to walk around the pond.

Not that day.  We had to walk through the timber to get around the pond.

Another spot on the trail that had turned into a river.

When it's rainy outside, we'll just play inside.

Finished basements are overrated.

Owen pitching at a target

"Mom! Look at the Sky!"  Owen says.  This was obviously a sunset.  I think maybe on January 2.

Beautiful end to another nice day.

Owen got a hair cut.  FINALLY!

When he said that he was willing I quickly scheduled an appointment!

Much better!

More basketball!

Gracie and Owen both played basketball last weekend.  Gracie was in Mexico, MO and Owen was in Centralia.  It took some coordination, but ended up working out pretty well since the two towns are only about 20 minutes apart.  This was Gracie's school team's first competitive tournament and they did pretty well.  The games were much closer and the girls had to work really hard the whole day.  They ended up taking second at the tournament and had a lot of fun playing close games.

Reach!!!  Gracie jumping to the ball.

Gracie trying to block the ball on the inbounds play.

Again, she is playing against another girl who is on her softball team.

Gracie has the ball!!

Owen's games!

Yep, Owen is playing basketball, too.  His team had only had three practices before their first games last Saturday.  Owen is one of the tallest on the team and doesn't seems to get tired.  They have games on Saturdays through January and then their season is done.  Short and sweet.  I like it.  He seems to be having fun playing with his friends on the team, even though not very many of them have played basketball before.

Owen jumping for the ball.

The player on the opposing team was about a head taller than Owen.

Playing defense

And he can dribble the ball...all over the court.  Once in awhile he will head toward the basket.

So, everything has been cancelled this weekend and we have been able to play outside and watch football inside and repeat.  And it's still snowing.  I'll post more pictures soon!