We made it all the way through December without winter like weather. It was amazing actually…we had MANY days in December that were over 60 degrees…a few even close to 70! We were beginning to think that we would have no snow at all this year. We were wrong though! Early in the week, the forecasts was indicating that snow, and a lot of it was on it’s way. And by a lot, I mean 1- 2 feet in the D.C area. As the week went on, the forecast was actually stating it was going to be a blizzard with the heavy winds. The forecasters were so focused on the weekends blizzard, that Wednesday night’s snow of one to two inches sort of fell under the radar but wrecked havoc on the cities rush hour. Trips that should have taken 20 to 30 minutes took folks four to five hours! Justin even went out in it to Target in Reston in preparation for the blizzard and said that the roads were bad and he was sliding in our neighborhood. Everyone heeded the warnings and grocery stores were insane and shelves quite empty already by Wednesday night.
Thursday morning there was still snow on the ground and schools were cancelled. The girls and Ludmila went outside for a few minutes. This was Ludmila’s first time in snow! Pretty puny in comparison for what was to come!
Thursday afternoon I went to Whole Foods to get the last of what we needed for the next few days. Granted, it wasn’t like we would starve with what we had; however, knowing that we were going to be stranded for at least a few days, I would much rather be stranded eating delicious foods than crap.
The snow started about 1:00 Friday. By 6:00 p.m, there was already a decent amount on the ground as we walked to the Fosters for dinner and drinks with the neighbors and walking was already proving difficult. In fact, Justin fell as he was holding Avery just before we got to the Fosters house and really hurt his ankle. Despite his being in extreme pain all night, we had a fun time and by the time we left to come home after 10:00, there was probably already a good eight inches on the ground.
Saturday morning we woke up to snow, lots of it….and it snowed all day until close to 10:00 p.m! The day was actually fun and we didn’t get the least bit stir crazy. The whole house slept in until 9:00 a.m. and while the girls did watch two shows before breakfast and watched one show before bed, there was no T.V watching or IPAD playing during the day. We spent a lot of family time centered around delicious meals and spent some time outside shoveling and playing. At first all the girls were kind of hesitant to go out, especially since the snow was still coming down hard and in their faces. However, they ended up having fun playing while Justin and I were shoveling the driveway. Avery eventually went in because she was too cold, but Emerson and Harper just kept on playing. They were having a great time despite their cheeks being ridiculously red and their hands and feet and hair frozen. 
Harper in fact was having so much fun that she decided to take her buggy for a spin!
Here is what Justin spent much of the weekend doing, despite badly injuring his ankle. He said that after he was out there, it got to the point that he couldn’t feel his foot. When he came in though, it was a different story. When inside he tried to elevate it some as he sat on the couch in front of the fire (yes, we, okay Justin), built our first fire at this home…but it was me who insisted Justin buy the firewood. So, once again a team effort!
Ludmila joined us for a little while! This was her first time experiencing snow (other than Wednesday night)….and what a first time it was! 
Sunday morning we woke up to the storm’s aftermath…beautiful sunny skies with snow glistening! Sunday was spent doing much of the same as Saturday…eating more delicious food, baking chocolate chip cookies, shoveling, playing in the snow and sledding down the pipestem with the neighbors. Harper was tired and ended up taking two naps in her “cave” while we were outside playing….thus why there are no pictures of her on Sunday.
And more shoveling…..hahaha….Justin’s face says it all!
Even the adults were sledding….it was SO much fun and fun to be a kid again! 
Ludmila even joined in on the sledding shenanigans! 
School was cancelled already for Monday and Tuesday and I wouldn’t be surprised if they have no school the entire week. Our streets still haven’t been plowed and their is literally no way past the driveway. The girls went outside today with Ludmila after lunch. Harper ended up coming in a few minutes later as she had to go peepee and was tired and wanted to sleep in her cave. After I put her down, I went to take a few more pictures of Ludmila and Avery and Emerson having fun in the snow.
By the way, can I just talk about Harper for a second. Excuse my language, but she is so fucking cute AND she knows it. The things she says, the things she does, her facial expressions, her voices….ALL of it….it’s like she can drive me nuts sometimes but it is absolutely impossible not to laugh, think she is so cute, or literally eat her up because she is so freaking cute and hilarious and awesome all at once. Seriously, I don’t know how a kid can be so darn cute but somehow she manages quite well. Oh and by the way, besides the massive dump she took in her cave (as she now takes her naps in her window cutout behind her chair (a.k.a. her cave) and in her panties (yes, I decided to take a chance), she is potty trained! Really, in all seriousness, she is doing awesome. She is still wearing pull ups and nights and for naps (most the time) but they are generally pretty dry when she wakes up. She is so darn proud of herself…..which also is so ridiculously cute!
P.S. Total snowfall was about 28 inches!
Justin and I were outside with them and we managed to walk up and down the street repeatedly while they were entertaining themselves, allowing us to actually get a decent workout in despite not going to the gym that morning. It was awesome to realize they are getting more independent but also made us realize they are growing up so quickly….too quickly sometimes! They had a great time playing and it was so much fun watching the excitement they were having playing in the snow.