Spring Wonderland

I don't know what is more tiresome in Minnesota: the endless winter or the endless whining about the endless winter.  To be totally honest, I have done my share of complaining but at some point you just have to acknowledge that this is how my wife's state operates and deal with it.  I made my deal with this state years ago and have moved on.  I allow myself one major public complaint a year.  I used mine earlier this winter during a run with Nathan but I can't remember the context beyond that I knew I was burning my rant on one person at 5 a.m. who may or may not be listening to my rambling.

Or, you could be like Charlotte and think this weather is awesome.  We went to the zoo today and her eyes were half open on the drive home, she was that tired.  But once we hit the backyard, she perked up instantly.  She was having so much fun playing in the ice and sleet that I let her stay out there for 15 to 20 minutes, playing, before putting her to bed for her nap.  Charlotte certainly has her moments.  Below is a snippet of how to embrace whatever is in front of you.

Conversation With Emily #1209374126

Me (coming upstairs to go to bed, referencing the weather): Something wicked this way comes.

Emily (already in bed, having no context for this statement, other than me walking up stairs to the bedroom): What, are you super gassy or something?

As an aside, we presently have heavy wind, freezing rain, snow, and thunder all at once.  Spring is the most overrated season.  It is either still winter, or muddy and wet.  People only celebrate because it sucks less than another month of extreme winter.  That is a stupid reason to like a season.  I actually like winter better than spring.  

My Obligatory Storm of the Century Post

Over the weekend we experienced the Storm of the Century! Seventeen inches was the official total in Minneapolis, which is a lot.  It looks like even more after it's been shoveled and plowed into huge piles.  Of course, I love it.  When I was a kid, waking up to a whole lotta snow was such a thrill because there was always the possibility of a snow day.  Even though I don't get snow days anymore, I still feel like a kid when it snows a lot.  Mike, on the other hand, gets snow days now that he works in a school.  I think that now that he can experience the anticipation of snow days he will appreciate snow and cold more, but that is another story.

Our street after it has been plowed.  Love all the clean snow.

Our garage has a cool snow drift on top of it.

Mike shovels our snow, which took a long, long time this weekend.  He would like a snowblower to clear the snow from now on.  I don't think we need a snowblower, but I love the way snowblowers leave these clean slices in the snow.  

Nice square corners.

Fresh, untrodden snow is always pretty.  It's fun to go out after a big snowfall and check things out.  Today was the first day I actually got out to see the snow.  Mike was saying how different it is now that we have Charlotte.  Before Charlotte, we might have had a little adventure in the snow and walked to the wine bar, or down to the river with Poncho.  This year we might not have any fun in the snow together, but in a couple years we get to play in the snow with Charlotte.

Rabbit tracks at the park.

Cool snow drifting around a tree.