Winter Wonderland

Ah, winter.  To say you are walloping us this year might be an understatement.  With several (I've lost count really) feet of snow on the ground, three snow days under our belt (all within one week), and 80+ hours of straight snowfall predicted for early next week, this usually blizzard-loving winter baby is about ready to wave the white flag. 

Ready to show the blizzard of 2015 who's boss

Thank god someone is finally earning his keep

Post-blizzard.  We've gotten at least another foot since then.

But as much as I wish Punxsutawney Phil hadn't seen his darn shadow on Monday (when we were stuck at home for the third time in a week...which felt quite apropos for Groundhog Day), there is much about winter in Maine to embrace.  There is accessible, peaceful, beautiful snowshoeing right out our back door.

 

And kids who are old enough to play alone in the yard so Mom and Dad can actually snowshoe together!

And miles of beautiful snowshoeing trails, over hills and alongside brooks, just down the street.  On the many days I've felt the roads have been too unsafe for running, I've been grateful for the opportunity to get out and sweat in the woods instead.

And I love that instead of hibernating, our fellow Mainers celebrate winter.  A few weekends back, we attended the annual Scarborough WinterFest.  On a blustery cold day, it was amazing to see so many of our neighbors and friends out enjoying all that winter has to offer.

We skated, we hunted for money-filled ice cubes, we made s'mores on the bonfire, and we had an all-around lovely afternoon outdoors!  In sub-20 degree January weather!

Hard to see, but that's Ethan rounding the cones in a slalom skating contest

And Adam finishing his slalom

And although Ben surely believes it worthy of its own post, I'll throw it in here...winter is even more fun when our Pats win the Superbowl!

 

Though united in our support of the Pats, we were divided spectators.  Adam and I wandered down the street to a Superbowl party while Ben and Ethan watched the game at home with Grandpa.  I love me some Superbowl party - the oh-so-good-and-so-bad-for-you food and frosty beverages were particularly tantalizing after racing ten miles that morning.  But Ben and his mini me were far too superstitious, and far too focused on every second of the game, to consider watching in anything less than a supremely controlled environment.  So they paced, loud clapped, and ball tapped our way to a victory while Adam and I could watch in peace, coming home only when the coast was clear, ready to celebrate.  What an exciting night for three generations of Pats fans!  (Supreme photo opportunity missed but at least we got two generations...)

Three nervous Nellys right before the start of the game

And one Belichick-admirer who refused to take his hoodie off for hours days after the win...thank goodness for a well-timed snow day on Monday