Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

On Friday night we went to see the lights at DC Temple and to enjoy a Musical Christmas program. Our friends Valerie and Mary Beth played flute and violin in the orchestra. It took us two hours what should have been fifty-minute drive but the children and I made it (Jeremy rode metro from work). We also got to see an orchestra pit. Then we enjoyed company of our friends. and beautiful Christmas trees decorated with dolls donated by different embassies. Here is a Russian doll and two adorable children ;-) Second performance was cancelled that night because a snow storm was approaching.

I thought to myself "what a big deal? I am not scared of two inches of snow!" We lingered a bit longer looking at lights and a beautiful creche.On the way back we caught the beginning of the storm and were lucky to travel behind a snow plow the whole way back.

Then Saturday morning we woke up to a snow wonderland. It snowed whole night and kept snowing whole day. Sonia and Feo were sick with fevers but Sonia dared to step outside to ride in her sled for about ten seconds. Snow piled up into her nose and mouth and she was back inside rather quickly. Jeremy kept shovelling the snow whole day and even at night.

This storm set the record for the month of December since 1910. An Ice Skating show we wanted to go to got cancelled; so was the ward Christmas party. Buses, trains and even an airport came to a halt. It was peaceful and quiet outside. Only Mischa was disturbing the neighborhood with his romping and snorkeling in the snow.

Sunday church was cancelled and we had one of the best brunches ever... no hurrying and no being late for the first time seems like. Then we did unthinkable.. we packed both kids, sick and half way sick and went onto an adventure to Huntley Meadows. Feo was tucked into Sonia's pink snow suit... poor boy. When he is of age, he will tell me "No more pink!" Sonia's jacket was still missing but she kept warm in a long sleeve shirt, turtle neck, fleece shirt and rain coat plus a warm cover in the sled. I wore Jeremy's snow boots from Russia and he wore his summer shoes. Off we went into a land of true magic.

Sonia's head was barely above the snow. She did well in the sled managing to fall out only once, being bumped into by Mischa once and then kept smiling.

At some point Sonia wanted to walk... "the snow is crunchy" she proclaimed.

At home we warmed our cold hands and feet by a fire, had squash and sausage soup for lunch and took naps... a perfect day if you may. And it just got better--all government offices are closed tomorrow so Jeremy will be home.