Winter Wonder Land

Pretty cold weather did hit Seattle yesterday and today delivering a thick white cover. Our first snow since we left Kiel in the lowlands. The next days are going to be very cold with temperatures around -10°C at night - let's see if we manage to warm the house to a semi-acceptable temperature. Last year during a one week -8°C period the heating in the house did not keep up, but I tried to close many small air leaks since then. We will see in 2 days ...  time will tell if it sufficient or not. The good think about the cold: the snow will stay for the next two days! That's GREAT!
So far the kids love the snow - and so do we. Having to watch all friends and families in Europe with a huge snow load last January, we really felt left out. Snow in the mountains is not the same as around the house. You do not here any cars, the city gets very quiet, it seems peaceful and one can pretend it is as long as you don't read the news. Anyway a perfect start for the pre-Christmas season I guess.
Since work is in walking distance I put on my mountain boots and took as safety precaution micro-spikes for the boots with me and walked to work. It was great both ways. I did not need the spikes today despite the steep hill, the snow was sticky and not slippery.
And here at home? The kids spend as much time outside as on a warm spring day, they were just soooo into the snow, even Narne! Sledding, skiing, snow fighting, snow stomping ... one thing lead to another and then all over again. Let's see if that eases tomorrow, or if they will even be more outside due to colder, but sunny weather.

Just so you get an impression how much fun snow in Seattle is, here are a couple of images.

Our first Seattle Snow:

Very excited kids.

On my way to work.

Small backyard hill, but fun anyways!

Enjoying every single flake!

8pm. quiet peaceful night

Katrin admiring the snow. 

 Looking forward to the morning after - how will snow covered Seattle look like in the sun?