Snow Season?

25 Comments

Houston, Texas. Who knew it could be so cold?

Good prep for our trip up north to Portland, though. The kids finally got their Christmas lists together. We read a Berenstain Bears book years ago in which Sister Bear makes a long Christmas list, and Brother Bear warns her that if it’s too long you won’t get anything because you’re being selfish. Our kids were like, “Papa, is that true?”

Of course it’s true. And ever since then, their lists have been well thought out, and nowhere near being selfish.

Lowe is super excited about the Bug Vacuum, ranking it #1 on his list. Ouest has a remote control car/boat hybrid as her top choice for 2016. Will Santa deliver?

They discovered they could climb up on the roof. Wonderful.

We decided since we were in the States still, that we may as well take the opportunity to go visit Grammy for Christmas. Being in the States just makes finding friends and leaving our stuff behind so much easier. Plus, flights are cheap. And of course, we all just want to see Grammy, too.

Parked up in our friend’s driveway.

Old Porsche, VW bus, it’s too bad we don’t have anything in common. And look at that, giving up the coveted garage spot because our windows leak.

We arrived in Portland just before the “big” storm that blanketed the city underneath two whole inches of snow. On the news the next morning reporters stood next to a school bus, that was in a fender-bender caused by ice, for four hours. Nobody was on the bus, and nobody was hurt, but that didn’t stop the drama. You could have de-iced the entire city with one pickup load of salt and a shovel. But here in Portland, they closed school for two days instead.

“Papa, what’s this?” It’s funny how you sometimes forget that with kids there has to be a first time for everything. Luckily, the first time they picked up a rat trap it had already been triggered.

Lowe loves this dog. He talked about Bridgette for weeks leading up to this trip.

Somehow we only broke four bulbs. I dropped one, Grammy two, and the kids, just one.

The questions and anticipation in his eyes.

And the sheer joy of the season in hers.

I’ve completely outgrown any need for snow. I like the idea of snowboarding on snowy mountains, but the reality of getting there, buying, and putting on all those clothes quickly erases those thoughts. Kids, of course, love snow. Even if it is barely enough to show through the grass.

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25 Comments on “Snow Season?”

  1. This is the coldest it’s been in Houston since I think they said 2014 so you came on a bad day it will be in the 80s by New Year’s

  2. Happy Holidays from sunny Florida, Bums. Record-breaking temps. today, but snow back in CT. Have a great time with Grammy! Love, Mike and Lorraine

  3. I’m surprised to be the first the person to ask what the hell those mannequin heads are doing stuck on rebar! Does Portland have a Vlad the Impaler neighborhood?

    1. …don’t you mean lots more trouble? Icky dog food cans, dog hair all over clothing and bedding, stops for peeing and some dogs get carsick. Just saying. But maybe Love makes up for that! (And there are breeds that don’t shed.) They get the best of both worlds by loving Grammys’ dog when they visit.

    2. I don’t think a small one would be any less trouble than a big one – but no, on the dog front. We love them…and then are free to leave them to visit another time.

  4. The kids on the roof of the car reminded me of when ours learned that they could bounce from the trampoline to the top of Dad’s box trailer when he parked too close. When he sold it the buyer asked why all those little butt prints were on top?

  5. Boy can I relate to the snow comment. I used to love to ski, but the chains and the clothes and driving through a blizzard and, and. I should have gotten a clue when my very first day of the season was June 28 in Mammoth with shorts and a t-shirt. I think my head has been here in Hawaii for quite some time!
    From our ‘ohana to yours, Happy Holidays, guys!! 😀

    1. Yes, it is cool. Unfortunately we aren’t finding many bugs at Grammy’s in December. Texas bugs WATCH OUT Lowe is coming for you.

  6. Wow, I showed my son Quest with the spider man costume (he has exactly the same costume). He immediately said; mine has more muscles! And I don’t like girls, not any girls (not so sure kindergarten always has a good influence on him). The thing with the girls is new. 🙂

  7. Looking at that pic of Ouest wearing the santa hat, one struggles to remember the fun you have with her nose as a babe. Now its as sweet as a button. Merry Christmas to all you Bums and fellow bumfollowers…. only 12 hrs to go till Santa comes. My Grandson is driving me nuts !!!!!

    1. None of this PC happy holidays here in N.Z. Its still Christmas and to heck with anyone that get offended. 😉

      1. Merry Christmas to you and yours as well! And yes, all the struggles (including her nasal-tip hemangioma) when she was an infant feels like a life time ago. THANK GOD.

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