Lots of snow

10AM We have been completely surprised by the amount of snow that we've been getting here in Virginia. Yesterday, another major storm this season dumped 20 or more inches on most places in the region, and we have had three or four smaller storms (3-8 inches). We did lose power in our home for about 2 hours Saturday afternoon. Fortunately, that was the only time we have lost power this winter.

We certainly did not anticipate this much snow when we were packing our things in August. All of the kids snow pants are in storage. We left the sled and other snow shovel in Cleveland. We figured that a move south would mean less snow, not more, than Cleveland. Rebecca even put off buying a new winter coat because we just didn't know where we would be next winter, and her fleece-lined, micro-suede jacket should have been enough. She is now wearing Jacob's coat because he outgrew it this year, and he's running around in a hoodie just like every other high school-age kid.

7:00PM I just got back inside after attempting to drive my car around the block. It took about an hour to unbury the car, and the road look clear enough around our house. I think it had been plowed at least once because there are piles to the sides and some bare asphalt patches. I turned and went down the hill, thinking it would be easier to go down rather than up, and it was the easiest way out of the driveway. I ended up getting stuck in the snow at the bottom of the hill. Fortunately, some neighbors, my kids and couple of drivers that I was blocking helped to shovel the car out. I was testing the road because I thought I may have to go to work tomorrow. On the way down the hill, I heard on the radio that the federal government is closed in Washington, DC, tomorrow. 

All of us are a little tired of being together in the house. I will have to organize a hike tomorrow and get us moving and away from the house a bit. We will also need to dig out our snow cave and see how long we can make it. It's currently at about 10 to 12 feet deep with a 18 inch ceiling.