More Snow Photos

I took these on the way to drop Jesse off at school.  After the first few Andy wouldn't let me wind down the window anymore so some of them are taken through the wet window.

Steps

Our street

Lewes Crescent

Maple Ridge Drive

Fieldgate - you can see how dirty the snow is once the cars have driven on it.

You can't see it but these trees have their winter coats on - they are covered with hesian.

Thought the school bus looked funny with the snow on top.

Pile of snow ploughed from the parking lot at Jesse's school

Jesse's school

Snow - 7am This Morning

We were woken this morning to excited screams - "Mum, Mum, it's snowed".

Out the window we looked to see a good dumping of snow - 5cm. These are the photos I took at 7am whilst Andy was shovelling the driveway.

Jesse has been here.

Need some serious clearing before I can drive that!

First snowball.

Bigger snowball!

So much for nice serene snow! Jesse's been here too.

Andy shovelling - it's gonna get old really quick.

Our letterbox.

Christmas Tree Oh Christmas Tree

Ok, so I thought it was time I got in the Christmas mood.

Went to Ikea yesterday as they were advertising $20 trees and I knew they also had cheap decorations.

After wandering through the entire store (oh the hardship) I found myself at the checkout where they were displaying a few stands with decorations. I picked a few and wondered where the trees were.

I asked and was told you pay at the checkout and they will direct you. So I dutifully paid my $20 plus tax of course and was directed outside which I thought was kinda strange.

It was only when I rounded the corner that I realised that I had indeed purchased a real tree, tied up with string and what the hell was I going to do with that!

I selected one from the hundreds available after seeking advice from the man who said that a fatter one with long bottom branches was best. I struggled to get it into the trolley (or buggy as the Canadians call them) and pushed and tugged it all the way over to my car. I'm obviously not smart enough to take the car to the trees like everyone else did!

OK, what now???? I opened up the back and put down the seats of this car which Andy had so lovingly cleaned yesterday (waste of time when you have pine needles dropping everywhere). I hiffed it up onto my shoulder and plonked it in the back of the car and it promptly stuck out. Mmmm too big I thought so I gave it a push and it went between the front seats and hit the steering wheel. That will do! I jammed shut the door before it decided to jump out and got in.

Changing gear (thank goodness for automatics) was difficult but I managed to get home driving for the first time in the snow.

We hummed and haa'ed about what to do with it now. Eventually a friend rang and Andy enquired what one does with a real Christmas tree of this magnitude. He was told you can buy a special Christmas tree holder so off to Canadian Tire he went to purchase one.

Well, long story short. The tree is now up and decorated. Learned many lessons today not the least of which is not to wear a knitted cardigan whilst buying a Christmas tree.

Click here for photos.

Images of Toronto

We were in Toronto on Sunday, came home about 4pm. These are some photos I took from my phone on the way back in the car - sorry quality not that great. Click here to see more photos.

Was trying to get photos of the sunset (yes it sets that early) .

Jesse's Birthday

It was Jesse's birthday on Saturday - can you believe he's 9 already. It seems like just yesterday ....

He kindly informed us on Wednesday that he had invited some of his friends to play LaserQuest with him and then they were coming back here to watch a movie and eat pizza - thanks for the notice Jesse.

Anyway, notes were sent home and it was all organised.

Here are some photos:

Squirrels come a knocking

Yes, we have "encouraged" them so much that they now knock on the sliding door asking for breakfast and will even eat out of your hand. Have we gone too far?

First Snow Fall

Ok, ok, it wasn't much, but it was enough to get us Kiwis excited.

We awoke this morning to find the lightest dusting of snow on the surrounding rooftops and on the ground.

By the time I took Jesse to school it was almost all gone - just enough left that I had to wash the car windows - more like a heavy frost than snow. A sign of things to come though.

First snow on our deck.

Driving back from school, the road was so bright that I could hardly see. You don't need your sunglasses for the sun, just the glare.

Andy bought a clock which tells the temperature inside and out so we know that it only went as low as 1 degree overnight (celsius). I'm sure it's gonna get much colder - bring it on!

It's looking like Jesse may get his wish of snow for his birthday on Saturday. Thinking we might take him ice skating - what do you think?