First Winter Storm 2015

Last week, we had our first real taste of winter with below freezing temperatures all week and a lovely little ice storm which closed schools for a couple of days.  Evan was already out of school on Monday and then was out on Tuesday and Wednesday for the icy conditions.  Wednesday afternoon when the temperatures had risen enough to make traveling more safe, we all headed to Raleigh with Daddy so that he could handle some work business, and we could look at our future home.  Raleigh seemed to have gotten a little more snow before the ice hit and actually got a little more snow later that evening.  Evan and Brody enjoyed "sledding" on the ice at our house and then enjoyed seeing more snow in their new city.

Sledding down the icy driveway. 

They both had to have weapons, of course.  Boys!

Here he comes. 

I love the way Brody is clinging to Evan to keep from sliding down.  Such a sweet trusting relationship!

Brody's face...haha!

Just two of the sweetest boys in the world!

Trying to capture just what an ice storm is. 

A thick coating of slick, shiny ice coating all surfaces.

This was covering the door handle of Daddy's car.  It is usually in the garage, but since that is staging ground for packing and moving, it has to be outside for now. 

Daddy showing just how thick this ice covering was.  A good half an inch or more. 

Snow or Ice...it is all fun for him. 

Trying to make his snow angel.

Doesn't work too well on ice and sleet though. 

Cocoa got her first real taste of winter weather too.  She actually seemed to enjoy sliding around on the ice. 

Pretty icicles hanging from patio furniture.

Some pretty long icicles hanging off the kids' play set. 

While Daddy put in a few hours of work on Wednesday, I took the boys exploring at a local park.  This park in Raleigh beside NC State's campus is a fun place to be on warm days with a little train and boats to ride. 

A picture by the little railroad crossing.  They can't wait to come back and ride the train. And yes, there was only one other family brave enough to venture out to the park this day. 

And yes I was a little anxious about the slippery sidewalks and stayed off of them as much as possible.  The boys enjoyed sliding around. 

They had to check out this little red caboose though.  The boys and I are always a little disappointed that so few trains these days actually operate with red cabooses.  

Evan hitching a ride on the train. 

I love those boys!

Brody even got to enjoy sliding. 

The slide wasn't slick but the ground was. 

I love seeing them on the see-saw together.

Of course, Evan had to do most of the work. 

That area was a little too slick for me to venture over there. 

Evan attempting to climb the rock wall.  It seemed fairly safe despite the caution tape on the adjoining piece of equipment. 

The boys and I needed a little snack to warm us up after our cold adventure at the park so we headed over to a nearby Bruegger's Bagels for yummy bagels with cream cheese and hot chocolate for the boys. 

Brody was loving his hot chocolate. 

And I indulged in a yummy cinnamon and sugar bagel with cream cheese and a yummy french toast coffee.  I don't drink coffee very often so I felt the splurge was okay. 

Later that afternoon, it started snowing "real snow" when we arrived at our hotel. 

Evan was doing some kind of snow dance here. Haha!

Silly big brother!

Cocoa got to experience some snow falling too. 

Pretty girl sitting in the snow. 

She really liked it.

While we were looking at the first house potential, it started snowing big fat snowflakes.  The boys were very excited. 

Silly Evan.  You can tell we don't get snow too often. 

Me and my little man in the snow. 

Stay tuned for more wintry weather fun.  Today, we awoke to lovely snow falling outside and a nice ground covering and got about one to two inches.  We expect to receive significantly more tomorrow night.