Riding out the storm

This "blizzard" that they've been talking about for days has finally made its arrival.  It's quite ironic, really.  A world that's so hyped up on technology and the "next best thing" can still be stopped in its tracks by an everyday act of God called "weather".  Honestly, the way people talk, I think armageddon is headed our way.  The Town of Normal has issued parking bans and collision alerts.  They've even gone so far as to warn residents to stock up on essentials and plan on staying at home for 2-3 days.  I happen to like all the drama.  This "event" is something to look forward to.  It stirs a certain excitement in the town and within people and somehow unites us all, if even for a brief 48 hours.  I like the feeling right before it snows- an eery calm, but with it comes this urgency to "batten down the hatches" and be prepared to ride out the storm.  The meteorologists (or paid scientific guessers who are usually more wrong than right) have now changed the snow amounts at least 4 times.  I think at this very moment we're up to somewhere around 20 inches.  Huh.  Now that would be something, wouldn't it?  Twenty inches.  I've never seen such a sight and can't imagine how a town functions under the weight of so many white blankets, but I think we're about to find out.

Here in the Leetch household, we've chosen to enjoy this mid-week pause with some good friends, who happen to be our neighbors.  And it's a good thing they only live three doors down and can walk ride their Gator here because I really don't know if there are any other transportation options at the moment.  Matt and Ellyn arrived in true blizzard style on their Gator, with a plow attached, adorned from head-to-toe in ski apparel.  We sang (ok, Matt played the guitar and sang), ate some incredibly yummy chocolate and sprinkled covered popcorn goodness that Ellyn made, played with the girls, and drank in the extra spare time this town was given.  It was a good night.  But I'm pretty excited to wake up in the morning and see just how many inches we really do end up with...

The inside of our storm door collected snow and ice because the wind
was blowing so hard.

The arrival of Matt and Ellyn.

Avery showing us her dance moves while Matt plays guitar.

Avery and Ellyn dancing to some fabulous pre-recorded melodies on the keyboard.

Emmersen is bored with all of it, quite frankly.

Caught Avery sneaking some popcorn when she didn't think anyone was watching.

Well, they had to head home at some point and though they live so close, all of this cold weather get-up was completely necessary.  The winds are crazy and the temperature is even worse.  We're talking frostbite in almost no time.