Still Snowing

Feb. 23/24:  Renton Hit with 4” of Snow

Despite the snow all roads, except our driveway, were in fairly good condition, .  The forecast is for freezing cold temperatures this evening.   Therefore, I decided to shovel the entire drive  before going to work.   This was necessary to prevent a sheet of ice from forming.  During the last snow storm the drive way became more dangerous over time.   The last few trips down the hill turned into white knuckle bob sledding adventures.  Luckily the rains came and washed the snow out.  

 

So below are the before and after photos.  I decided to take on this project before going to work, thinking I could clear the drive in under thirty minutes.   Looking at the timestamps for the photos,  it took me slightly over an hour to clear the drive way. Shannon helped with about three shovels full of snow, Yay!  

Even though she brought the boys out to play in the snow,  as of now,  I am not aware of any video evidence of this event.  I would have gladly taken some pictures while she shoveled,  but that didn’t happen either.   Unidentified sources indicate that the boys didn’t enjoy their early morning romp in the snow.   Another rumor was spread this evening that they had a much more successful outing in the afternoon.  However,  yet again,  there is no evidence recorded of this event.  While neither of these stories can be verified for accuracy or authenticity,  I was ambushed by bean bags with letters on them when I got home.   I was told they were snowballs and we were having a snowball fight.   After a few moments I turned the tables on the juveniles and started spelling words with the snowballs.   Thanks Aunt Lauren for allowing me to create a teachable moment from an imaginary snowball fight.     

 

As promised,  and then not delivered;  Hawaii Pictures will soon be up!  

 

Edit***  I am going through pictures;  thought I would put this comparison up,  what a difference a year makes.  The first photo is from Feb 18th 2010,  while the 2nd is from Today, Feb 24th 2011.   These pictures are actually taken from about the same location of roughly the same trees.   The first picture is simply a tighter shot of the tree in the background in the second picture.  

Day of Joyous Celebration

January 12th, 2011: After almost 18 months of torture a package arrives. It contains the most important of all kitchen appliances, after the microwave and the dishwasher of course. Behold, the Waffle maker.

You see, one of the only gifts I actually got to choose in our wedding registry was the gift of a waffle maker. Due to cleaning difficulties with the particular item we received, Shannon deemed it inoperable and unilaterally disposed of said waffle maker without my knowledge or acquiescence.

Although, owing to the cleaning difficulty, we used the device rarely, waffles were a great treat which I looked towards fondly. A month or two after she disposed of the appliance, I asked for waffles, only then did I find that Shannon had deemed them an unnecessary evil and banished them from our house forever. “But,” I cried, “Isn’t this a democracy!” Shannon laughed at the thought an continued on her merry way. That fateful morning Zach had wanted waffles, but Shannon instead distracted him with Pancakes, as if they could serve as a worthy substitute for waffles.

Quietly, I plotted my revenge. Every Saturday I woke up and asked Zach what he wanted for breakfast. Lying in wait for the opportunity to spring my trap, I would wait for that fateful day Zach would ask what I wanted for breakfast. Days, weeks, maybe even months went by, yet I waited. Christmas at the Weiss’, where waffles are served with joy and happiness, only reminded me of the pain and sorrow that awaited for me in my own house. But this was the opportunity. I talked with Zach about the Waffles at grandma’s house, and how good they were, and he agreed. One morning, Zach finally asked what I wanted for breakfast, I answered Waffles. He thought this was a good idea! Finally I had a plurality.

After wearing down the opponent, she finally agreed that a new waffle maker could be purchased, if it met certain cleaning criteria. The quest was on, and my sibling-in-laws brought sweet and delicious victory to my home, when they bestowed upon us a gift, a gift of a grand waffle maker.

Now the whole family enjoys waffles. Zach even requests waffles on the mornings I don’t go to work early! Tyler enjoys his waffles, and he doesn’t even get to put sweet syrup on them.

Rest assured the left leaning (when it comes to Waffles) Shannon will never be allowed to usurp the majority and take away our waffles.

May the democracy live on!

Happy Valentines Day!

• February 14th, 2011
• Weather in Seattle:  Rain, Hi 51, Low 40
• Weather in Haleiwa:  Sunny, Hi 79, Low 67
• Today’s Song with Aloha Spirit:  What you thought you need (Live Honolulu, HI)

Not the post you were expecting;  well given that we just got back from an entire week in Hawaii and that I caught a cold while walking around in the rain in my shorts and t-shirt, you’re just going to have to wait a little longer.  

But life doesn’t stop,  and time marches on.  So strap in for the ride and remember that to avoid serious injury: Remain seated with your restraint securely fastened and your head firmly against the headrest at all times.  (I have not quoted the funniest line on the sign, by far)

And So we move on to St. Valentines Day:  (know your History)

Today was a first day back to work;  for me not much going on,  For Shannon every player on the volleyball team had gone crazy during her absence and today she got to put them all back together. 

Tonight Shannon fixed chocolate fondue!

It was good.

 

I brought Shannon some flowers.

We played with the boys, Zach loves the Balloons.  When I got home, I walk in the front door,  and the only thing I can see is Tyler standing at the dinner table helping himself to very large spoonful of rice. 

 

Happy Valentines day everyone;  please enjoy the ride! 

To Do: 

• Waffles Blog
• Download Pictures off Camera From Hawaii
• Save Pictures to some picture sharing website (raw)
• Edit pictures; Touch up; Remove fat man (me)
• Blog about our adventures; adding photos
• Integrate exciting new technologies (Even after Hawaii posts go up,  you may need to check back to see if any links or updates have been made!)

The Hits Just Keep Rolling

Uke Song of the Day:  Rise (click to listen)

Todays Activities: 

• Christmas from Denver arrives (part 1)
• Trip to the Dump
• 2nd Coat of Chocolate Swirl
• 2nd Trip to Dump (Cardboard Boxes from Christmas) DENIED
• The Pot Rack: Kroken (Happy belated B-Day Shannon!)
• Grandma from Missouri Returns

The biggest event of the day, by far,  was getting the Christmas presents from Denver.  While waiting for the arrival of delivery man  Zach checked the front porch every 20 minutes. 

Once the boxes arrived,  after a few technical difficulties,  Grandma watched as the boys opened Christmas again;  and enjoyed it as much as the first time.   Shannon determined our living room had, “Seen the Destruction of Christmas!” 

Rarely has Zach been so excited for such long periods of time.  He really enjoys each and everyone of his toys.  He keeps saying, “This has been the best Christmas ever.”   Every, and I mean every present is, “The best Christmas present I have ever had.”  He has even deemed Tyler’s presents the best presents Tyler has ever received.

So thanks to everyone who contributed to his best Christmas.  If you gave him anything,  you are part of the magic. 

Below, the boys play together peacefully after all the toys have been unwrapped, the cardboard and plastic separated and carefully placed in my truck for a trip to the dump, which closed only moments before my arrival. 

Tyler, not wanting to wait for dinner,  or to stop playing with his toys,  snuck a bag of chips out of the pantry, and integrated it into playtime, by hiding batman in the bag. 

Grandma from Missouri came bearing gifts,  Below Zach and Tyler are showing off their new PJ’s.   Zach was excited by Toy Story 3, and likewise Tyler was excited by his Trains.   In the picture below Tyler is showing off the trains on his new PJ’s. 

As of today Tyler has about 4 recognizable words in his vocabulary, (Dada, the old standby;  Wawa, for when he is thirsty; Mama, just learned today; and Choo Choo, primarily to identify his love of trains,  but also used to demonstrate his knowledge of any object he feels should be capable of locomotion. 

The Pot Rack:  A year ago for Shannon’s B-Day present last year was a pot rack for pots she had received for Christmas.  After almost a year of not installing the pot rack.  It has been installed!