Seattle SnowMageddon: The Winter Storm That Wasn’t
Well, according to the brightest minds with the most technologically sophisticated equipment, our area was due to receive up to 18″ of snow overnight. Ha. Snow totals here up against the Cascades are 2″ of new snow in the past 24 hours at best. I would dare say that this was hardly a winter event at all. Newscasters collect data and then climb the stairs of perpetual excitement (one grabbing the headlines over the other). Ultimately, they convince each other based on emotion rather than fact. Now that each news agency is committed to fostering the upper bounds of possibility, they send out crews looking for “snow drama” to broadcast their heroics to the huddled masses who are seen as hunkering down in their homes grasping to their HDTV’s. Journalism? Oh, brother. I can invest in about 3 continuous minutes of news journalism comedy before my sarcasm drives mom out of the room. Glad I gave up watching TV about 30 years ago.
In any case, I dared the elements and took you outside during a lunch break from work. As usual, you had a great time playing and exploring in what little snow we did have. We then came inside and had mom fix us some hot chocolates. I think that you wore your chocolate mustache for the rest of the day.
Ok, I have to quit fooling around and get back to my day job.
Happy Kid!!
Love,
Dad
The Calm Before The Storm
The Seattle area is due to get hammered by winter weather overnight tonight. The past couple of days have seen about 8″ of snow in our yard and we are due for somewhere between 8″ and 18″ (depending on the various weather resources). Should be an interesting next 24 hours. In any case, mom and I had you outside for a little while today. You and I made a snowman. You and mom were making snow angels.
Here are a few pics of you and mom from earlier today.
Love,
Dad
Out looking for snow… but rain was all we found
Our mini family went out exploring some low traffic forest service roads looking to camp overnight in the solitude of a passing snow storm… but rain was all we found. The above freezing temps made the snow soft and very slick. Avalanche danger was also high. These factors coupled with traveling as a solo vehicle limited where I was willing to take us. Around dark, we did find one isolated spot near Lake Easton to get out and play for a while (under the work lights of the van). As usual, you were a great little adventurer. Even though the snow was less than optimal… you even learned how to make snow angels with mom. 2 peas in a pod!!
On the way home I stopped at one of the local ski areas to contrast our Christmas light displays.
Love,
Dad
Ice skating and dinner out with Grandma
You, your mom and I took Grandma out for a little ice skating and dinner tonight in Cle Elum, WA. Grandma was the only one brave enough to actually get out on the ice… and she smoked the small group of 10 year olds that thought they owned the place… 
Good job, Grandma!!!
Here is one of you and mom keeping warm by the fire too.
It was a very nice evening out. Merry Christmas G’Ma… and thanks for all that you do!!!
Love,
Dad
Christmas party with Grandpa
We attended a Christmas party at Grandpa’s elder care home this past evening. Grandpa and Grandma had a surprise early gift waiting for you and your cousin!
Your second cousin(?) ‘I’ even showed up to perform a number of Scottish dances with her dance instructor. She is very good. Talk of the town is that you may be signing up for dance lessons… in the not so distant future.
Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for the new wheels!! I had not even made my way up to a pedal powered Big Wheel at this age. Sheesh.
Love,
Dad
Signs of the upcoming holidays
You and dad had the place to ourselves tonight as mom was out with grandma and aunt ‘M’ having kind of a ladies night out. You and dad spent time looking at old pictures, reading your books, drawing/coloring, and watching a little Sunday Night Football – before you headed off to bed. Here was a quick shot of you in front of mom’s newly done up Christmas tree too.
Love,
Dad
Weekend fun in the snow
Yeaaaa for the weekend!!!
Today your mom and I decided that we should all go up to the top of Snoqualmie Pass for breakfast and then go have a little fun in the snow. We all had a great time.
Love,
Dad
Thanksgiving 2011
Our family was all invited over to your uncle C’s place for Thanksgiving dinner. Wow, what a spread! Grandpa even showed up for a little while. Uncle ‘S’ flew in from Colorado too. I spent most of my time keeping tabs on you rather than taking pictures… but here is one picture of all of the ladies + grandpa that evening.
Thanks to everyone for all of the good food and great company!!
Love,
Dad
Trail Camera Data: October, 2011
Here is what stumbled in front of our game camera(s) for the last few days in October, 2011.
Love,
Dad
