Happy Saturday, Everyone! We are finally thawing out from almost two weeks of record-breaking cold, icy, and snowy weather, and let me tell you that it feels good to see the sun shining today! Since we have now survived a historical weather event, I want to share all about it on here so that someday we can look back and remember the details of it all!
Back at the beginning of the month, phrases like "arctic vortex", "arctic blast", and "record setting snow" were floating around. I don't watch the news, so I hadn't heard much about the weather or what was being predicted regarding cold weather. I think it was on the twins' birthday that I first heard someone mention "the weather heading our way" in passing, and decided that maybe I should at least be aware of what was forecasted.
As I shared here, we had a wonderful time celebrating Brooke and Brecklyn's birthday during the first week of the month. We made two trips to the zoo, soaked up the sun, and spent lots of time playing outdoors. The weekend following their birthday (Saturday, February 6th and Sunday, February 7th) was cold, cloudy, and drizzly. By Sunday evening, the temperature had plummeted to below freezing, and we had sleet and freezing rain falling from the sky.
On Monday, February 8th, the temperature stayed in the low 20s all day, and everything was covered in a solid layer of ice. I was so thankful that Chris was able to work from home as needed during this time because the roads were a mess some days with all the ice and, later, snow.
It's not that unusual for us to have a snow or ice event during the winter. What made this time so unique was the temperatures. Yesterday (February 19th) was the first day since Sunday, February 7th, that the temperature got above 32 degrees. We simply aren't accustomed to or prepared for these types of prolonged temps!
Brenson loves to be outdoors, and it was torture to him that I was making him stay inside. I finally gave up and just let him go out and play. I took this photo on Tuesday, February 9th. He was out during the "heat of the day" . . . 22 degrees, haha!
Although it was cold, everything covered in ice was sure beautiful!
We had made a few plans for Bren's birthday, but we were unable to carry them out due to the weather. Bren spent part of the afternoon playing outside instead.
Bren and Brooke ice sledding with our neighbor girl, Madison
Although the temps continued to drop, the roads improved greatly toward the end of week. Chris was able to go to work on both Thursday and Friday (February 11th and 12th). However, by Saturday evening, another storm system started coming through. It was snowing so heavily on Sunday morning that we were unable to go to church. We did, however, go to Mom and Dad's house for a bible study, but discovered quickly how slick and dangerous the roads were.
That evening, we let the kids set up a tent in the living room while the snow continued to fall outside. They enjoyed watching a movie before bed!
We even let them sleep all night in the tent!
When I checked the weather that evening, this is what I saw. Yikes!!!
Currently snowing with more on the way and temps staying below freezing for several more days!
On Monday, February 15th, we woke up to about five inches of snow. The wind had been really blowing, so we had some drifts that were easily ten to twelve inches deep. Our covered back patio was even snow covered, so I took advantage of this and created this fun little memory!
The balls in the photo above were made when we filled balloons with water and food coloring, then left them out in the yard to freeze. Once the water froze, we peeled the balloon off to enjoy these fun "ice marbles".
It was waaaay too cold to go outside and play in the snow (we simply don't own the proper gear for that), so we brought snow inside to enjoy instead!
On Tuesday evening (February 16th), we received another round of snow that lasted into Wednesday afternoon. It was about six more inches on top of the ice from the week before and the snow from earlier in the week. Since we had fresh snow to use, we made snow ice cream (and it was delicious!).
The temp on Wednesday reached about 26 degrees, so the kids and I bundled up and headed outside to enjoy the warmth! Chris was working from home (as he had all week), but he had to miss out on the fun.
Yay for being able to pay outside!
The kids tried to sled, but it wasn't good sledding snow. It was so powdery and deep and the sled just wouldn't move very fast.
Brecklyn and Brooke
Brecklyn pulling Brianna
Brianna attempting to pull Brenson
The best thing about this day was that the sun was finally shining again! Madison came over and played for a while, and she and Brooke built a little snowman :-).
The kids and I ended up being outside for over an hour, and Bren stayed out more than two hours! We had layers and layers on - so we didn't feel too cold - but once the sun went behind the clouds we headed inside!
The roads were still too bad that night to drive to bible study, but we were able to watch a livestream. I'm SO grateful for technology in times like this!
Thursday, February 18th was Brianna's birthday. The temps stayed below freezing, but we finally saw the upper 20s that day. Of course, the kids all wanted to play out in the snow again!
Brianna didn't last long, but the other three spent quite a bit of time trying to build an igloo.
And finally, FINALLY, yesterday we saw temps above freezing! The roads are much improved (Chris went to work and I took the twins to a well check at their pediatrician's office), and things are feeling a little more normal for us. The kids, once again, spent part of the afternoon enjoying the snow!
This is what things look like today . . . the sun is shining, and we can finally see the ground in spots where the kids had walked in the snow. Definitely still a good bit of snow cover, though!
This weather event was certainly not exclusive to Oklahoma. Many states all throughout the US were affected by the arctic vortex, including ones that are far less prepared for snow and cold weather than we are! We have counted our blessings again and again that we only lost power briefly ONE time for about an hour, and we only had one small incident with our master bathroom pipes freezing (we were able to get them thawed and prevent it from happening again). There are so many people that have really suffered in this storm, some going days without water and power and many suffering property damage due to bursting pipes. Our hearts have been broken for those who are suffering! It's also been a sobering reminder that life and things on this earth are temporary.
The snow has been just beautiful - and although the temps have been harsh - we have truly enjoyed the opportunity to slow down and spend more time together in the comfort of our home. I think it's safe to say that this is a February we won't soon forget!
No comments:
Post a Comment