Arctic Blast - Part 3

After the snow stopped around dusk last night, I was struck by how peaceful it was outside and tried to capture it with some long-exposure photographs.

This is a neighbor's house (I've always liked that house) taken from our driveway. The blue glow of dusk, combined with the snow is amazing!

This is our house (Christmas tree through the window), taken from across the street.

The street we live on... by this time, the sky was dark.

Cheers!

Arctic Blast - Part 2

Here are some new photos from "out Sandy way." All of these were taken from inside through the windows, but they don't look too bad. We have significantly more snow than in the photos from the post from last night (probably about 12 inches more).

This photo is of our backyard. As you can see, the arborvitae are seriously leaning under the weight of the ice and snow. I don't look forward to this spring when I have talk to the landlord of that property and try to convince him to trim those... yikes!

I just cleared that car off yesterday! As you can see, the mailbox pole is slowly being buried, as is the Japanese maple.

The snow on our deck is piling up. We're taking bets new as to whether or not the snow will reach the rail.

The Chinese cherry tree is leaning under the weight of the ice and snow, too.

With the arborvitae leaning down, we can see chimneys for three houses from our bedroom window now. Those trees in the background are magnificent!

Here's my "artsy" photo... actually, Beka's "artsy" photo. Nicely done, Bek!

One more photo of the maple in the backyard with ice and snow, and the neighbor's fence in the background.

Cheers!

Arctic Blast - Photos

As the snow started to really pile up, we noticed that the lights along our yard were submerged. When we plugged them in, this was the result.

Here's a long exposure shot I took of some lights on a tree in our front yard. I do like the snow!

What I don't like is the freezing rain and ice. In an attempt to make sure we don't have a layer of ice on our car too thick to penetrate (in case we are actually be able to get out on Christmas to be with our families), I started it up and chiseled the ice off with a scraper. I had no idea it would be so thick...

...half an inch thick, to be exact!

Cheers! (and stay warm)

Some Videos from the Past Few Months

Dean loves rocking chairs. This one is at Grandma's house. It's an antique rocking chair that was given to her by her dear friend, Sal.



As I mentioned in a prior book, Dean loves his books! He also likes to say "WOW" when he sees things he likes. Combine the two and you get this incredibly cute video.



Dean learned about a month or so ago that he not only has a nose, but knows where to find it!



Dean likes his drum, and recently figured out how it "works." He especially likes drumming along with music (though his rhythm needs work yet). How appropriate that we'd have a "little drummer boy" emerge around Christmas time...



This is a common occurence around our house. Dean will often approach us with a book in his hand, eager for us to read to him.



It sounds like he's saying "no," but he's really saying "snow." He's been very excited about the winter weather we've had lately.



Cheers!

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Beka and I have enjoyed several "snow days" off from work this week, today being the first with a substantial amount of snow. Dean has been very excited about it, and enthusiastically says "SNOW!" when he sees it falling outside (Beka taught him that this morning). Enjoy the photos!

From earlier today when it was snowing hard.

Preparing for a trek in the snow...





Beka let Dean eat some snow, but he wasn't quite sure about it.



Afterward, he gave mommy a nice, cold kiss.



Playing in the snow is a family affair!

After we came inside, I let Dean wear my gloves to keep his hands warm. What huge hands!


Merry Christmas...
...and Cheers!

Thanksgiving and the Beginning of the Christmas Season

We spent Thanksgiving in Central Oregon again this year with Beka's dad, and had a great time relaxing, watching football, and eating lots of good food.

We also visited Sun River to see the gingerbread houses on display for a competition they hold every year. It was fun to see Sun River again this year as they do a great job decorating for Christmas. When we used to stay in Sun River, it was often the first real taste of the coming holiday season, which is always a welcome sight... this is easily my favorite time of year.

Dean really enjoyed spending time with his Grandpa Ron. He calls him "umpa" which is very entertaining to hear.



We also visited the High Desert Museum. They have an area that's made to look like a pioneer settlement, complete with saw mill, people in costume, and animals. As many of you know, Dean loves to tell people what various animals say, including chickens. When he saw his first real, live chicken, he was enthralled! He got especially excited when he heard them "talking," so he spent the rest of the time making chicken noises. What fun!


I thought this was a pretty good photograph... a profile of three generations.


Dean also loves reading books, even more than he likes to play with toys, if you can believe that. He likes to read them by himself, but if your lap is empty, he prefers someone else to read to him. Who wouldn't?!


A week or so after we got back from Thanksgiving break, the three of us went to get our Christmas tree. It was a great day for it with no rain at all (which we were afraid we would have to contend with). We picked the shortest tree we've had for the past four years, and it looks really nice in the house. The front room doesn't look as cramped as years past, and it was A LOT easier to put up.

Dean loves the Christmas tree! Whenever he sees it with the lights on, he says, "WOW!" We wonder if he thinks Christmas trees are called "wows" since he says it for every Christmas tree he sees now. He's such a cute little boy.

We hope your Christmas season is happy and filled with the love God showed us when He sent His son on that very first Christmas night!

From the Hardy family, Merry Christmas!