Juno 2015 Was the Perfect Storm!
Well, winter has finally come to Massachusetts! Juno 2015 brought us over two feet of snow, and three snow days off from school last week. We spent the day of the storm safely tucked inside, playing games, cooking, making crafts, and napping.
Kendra and Addie made crafts.
Evan checked out the snow with me.
Kate played dress up.
Once night had fallen, the storm had slowed down, and we’d put the kids to sleep, Kendra and I headed outside with shovels in hand. It took us about two hours to clear our driveway and front path!
Admittedly, the shoveling was not so fun, but we went to sleep knowing school was cancelled for the following day.
We woke up to bright blue skies. Feeling a bit stir crazy from being cooped up inside for so long, we invited over friends and neighbors for lunch and snowshoeing lessons! While the kids layered up, I went outside and cut a trail around our yard.
Because the snow was so deep, I had to make a trail for the kids before they could snowshoe in the backyard!
When I was done, I went back inside and helped each kid put on snowshoes, while making them repeat this mantra:
Don’t walk backward! Stay on the track!
Then I let them loose! It wasn’t long before they decided to make their own trails, which made for a hilarious scene of little kids covered in deep snow.
Addie (far right) and friends Elizabeth, Peter, and Avery! We taught them all to snowshoe!
Breaking off the path! I particularly love Josh (2) hiding by the snowman.
Addie contemplating breaking off the path.
Addie was determined to cut her own trail.
Sometimes you need to take a break from snowshoeing to eat the snow!
Of course, snowshoeing wasn’t enough. After we were done, the kids wanted to go sledding, so we packed up the sleds and headed to our local elementary school.
Headed into the sunset to go sledding!
When we got home, our friends Janet and Amy (who’d stayed home with all the really little littles) had made an incredible dinner. Nothing like cramming seven kids (ages seven and under), and six adults into a small dining room. We had a blast!
So the awesomeness of two snow days and a lot of fun was enough to make Juno a great storm. But what made Juno 2015 the perfect storm was the THIRD snow day, coupled with Addie’s pre-K having school. Kendra dropped her off early in the morning and headed to Starbucks to grade papers. I left once our awesome childcare provider and friend, Tina, arrived to take care of the twins, and headed to a different Starbucks to get work done.
Yes, lattes are awesome. But even more awesome – getting to go snowshoeing with your work wife and leaving all the kids at home! My friend Jenn and I met up at Harold Parker State Forest for a hike with only backpacks on our backs! I felt oddly light without a kid in a kid carrier!
Location: Harold Parker State Forest, North Andover, MA
Date: January 29, 2015
Distance: 2.55 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 109 feet
Our Hiking Time: 1 hour, 33 minutes roundtrip
Trail Blaze: Yellow Diamonds
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Map
Jenn and I enjoyed trekking through an already cut trail around Salem Pond. It was yet another gorgeous day, filled with bright sun, blue skies, and freshly fallen snow.
After our hike, Jenn and I did something neither of us have done in a long time. We went out for beers and appetizers at the 99. In the afternoon. Without our kids!
Forecast to be a record-breaking storm, Juno 2015 turned out to be the perfect storm filled with beautiful snowflakes and lots of fun!
The 10th photo is incredible (in a good way)! Happiness in its purest form.
Awesome! This is just what my grandsons, Ian and Adam, would love, and so would Amy and Lea. Not me. What I would love about it is being able to cuddle up on the sofa with my little dog Pete and look at everybody else outside my front window! And your hikes are awesome. I am proud of my 1.2 mile trek around the blocks of Weaverville, and if I can do it twice a day, I feel like wonder woman! Thank you for sharing….bjc
What a fun-filled post this was. I am truly impressed with how healthy all of you look. I could feel the brilliance of the days. You took what could have been an obstacle and made it an opportunity. Way to go! Glad you’re able to take some time for the great moms too.
It seems to me that sledding was the most fun. Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed the photos.