Winter.

If we could get some snow piled up on those bare branches, that would be awesome. Cold rain isn't nearly glamorous. I have the firewood poised and ready.

snow!

more ice.

these babies have been sticking around all day. it.is.cold. landon braved the chill to get some firewood, diapers and garlic bread for tonight's tortellini. we're hunkering down for a low of 15 with wind chills into negative numbers. brrrr.

snow day. that is, ice day.

we're all home from school today because of a crazy weird winter storm last night. we had thunder and lightning, rain, hail, freezing rain, sleet, and snow. it's holding steady at about 20 degrees, and our winter-phobic west texas town doesn't have the equipment to treat the ice-covered streets. thus, we are all but shut down. there's some snow swirling around out there in the bitter cold wind, but what's on the ground is about hard as a rock. or...ice. i'm interested to see what we're gonna do since the high isn't supposed to get above 28 until friday. three days of being trapped indoors with my family? honestly, doesn't sound so bad.

(in case you're wondering, we have a policy against brushing hair on snow days.)

snow day.

{love the budding tree in the snow.}

blanket.

during.

after. 

my grandparents house nestled in north carolina's blue ridge mountains under a thick blanket of perfect snow for christmas.

um, yes. that is a BRIDGE totally full to the top with snow.

sigh. what i wouldn't give for this picture on friday. but, like i told my grandmother, i guess i'll have to settle for sunshine and 58 degrees.

which hat?

we're currently debating which one of these winter hats to keep for gray.

option 1: this one is more "big boy" - from the toddler section. snowboarder-esque. it is also bigger in size. it will last to next winter. it also comes with mittens, as you can see.

option 2: this one is suede-y and very soft and sweet. it's a little dressier and looks a bit like a helmet to me. it's from the baby section. it is quite snug, and will not last until next year. and, sadly, it does not come with mittens.

price, his perfectly irresistible chubby-cheeked grin and generation of static electricity is the same for either.

please don't tell me to keep both. i am struggling with that as it is.

last week: black friday, this week: white friday.

outside my portable on the edge of santa rita. yes, we still have school. boo.

*****

edited, 10:35 a.m.: if we have to go to school, i say, let them outside for a snowball fight!