The family was pretty far from a payday and pretty close to the mortgage being due so even though most people went to hotels or family members homes we had neither as an option. The rest of our family was in the same boat we were and hotels were full and way too expensive! So we hunkered down at 63 Orchard Street and survived the 40 degree nights (in the house, it was colder outside) by lighting a fire in the living room, hanging blankets in the doorways and snuggling up together with books, board games, decks of cards and Bob's fancy storytelling techniques! I won't pretend that we weren't jumping up and down when the power came back on but Bob and I both recognized the absolute gift of having a warm home, a roof over our heads, family to hang out with during the day and healthy children who made the best of the worst circumstances with laughter and fun! One night we headed to the mall until 10pm just to keep warm for a little longer and have something to do. Another night, Auntie Karla made dinner on her gas stove and we all hung out together there! Every day we were with Grammy and Papa. Auntie Karla, Uncle Pat and the kids and Auntie Kake and her kids. Even Halloween wasn't as bad as it could have been thanks to Auntie Karla!
We are so grateful for our family, friends and support system for making the power outage fun, exciting and a loving reminder that when all else fails - family always comes through!
Thi is a picture of Molly with her pink streaks! A friend convinced me that letting my kids mess with their hair gave them a sense of autonomy but was never permenant.
How cute is my girl in her leopard print? She looks like a teenager all day but I could not take my eyes off of her!
Lizzie snuggled up on the couch a few days before the storm!
Two days before the hugs stomr it snowed just a little bit one night. Bob was at poker and the kids were so excited that i let them get hats and boots on and go explore the winter wonderland for a while. Just as we walked out the door Peter called Papa to tell him it was snowing!
Annie loves being outside - rain or shine!
Lizzie loving the fall snow! We had no idea how we would come to hate the site of snow just a few days later!
The big kids in a moment of peace!
Annie went over and kissed her cold roses!
Guess who showed up a few minutes after our phone call - the BEST Papa ever!
Annie eating some snow!
Papa and his Molly-Girl!
And Annie getting in on the action!
But don't forget Lizzie!
Our two Peters!
My gorgeous girl - Ellie fell asleep before the snow so Molly kept running in to see if she was awake and wanted to come out with us! Needless to say - Ellie slept through the entire night!
Papa tried on a headband to keep his head warm!
Five very cold snowballs!
Lizzie and Eie setting up a library on the first day of no power!
And then everyone headed out for some fun in the snow - the power went out a few minutes later and we ended up having to bring the kids in because the snow was so heavy that branches started falling.
Annie-Boo!
My girl loves her snow!
Lizzie-Bug loving being outside!
Peter and Lucas had made these huge snowballs so the girls took advantage of them and hung out on them all day!
Our little snowman! Lizzie stayed outside for 4 hours!
Making snowballs!
Cleaning off the pumpkins!
Molly found a fun way to spend the first day without power!She got this art set for her birthday and could not wait to use it! She is a terrific artist with a flair for landscapes right now!
Our 6th child, Lucas, was here when the power went off and spent the first night with us! It was great having everyone in the living room sleeping and having fun! Ellie was the only one who preferred sleeping under ten blankets in her room than in the living room. Where Ellie is concerned we have learned that she often knows best soalhough, I checked on her 20 times a night we let her sleep in her room in her own bed!
Sleeping beauty!
Molly - reading with a flashlight. Remember - it was pitch black in all these pictures but when the flash went off it looks like we had full lights.
Daddy and Annie bonding!
Annie and Lizzie loving the beds on the floor.
Peter and Lucas playing DS under the covers!
Our house was 50 degrees during the day but my little monkeys still wanted to be naked all day! They wereocute snuggling together on the couch and playing! Notice Ellie - the only smart one who stayed clothed!
I love Lizzie's arm around Annie!
My sweet angel babies!
Sisters!
hugs!
Secrets!
S
Ellie couldn't help but join in the lovefest!
Sisters!
Luke and Peter realized their DS games were limited thanks to the lack of electricity!
Crazy Eights Marathon by candlelight!
Lizzie and Molly awash in sunlight!
They take my breath away!
Visitors who brought snacks!
Grammy and Lizzie enjoying some quiet snuggles!
Kk and her girls keeping warm together!
Three o y favorite people!
The Hardings all came over to play, too! Who knew it could be so much fun to have no power or heat!
Ellie hanging in the beds!
Sister hugs!
Singing to Mommy!
Our saving grace - our beautiful fire place! this is one of the reasons we bought our house and we love it!
Fun at Grammy's house!
I came home from work on Friday to a cleaned out fridge and freezer thanks to Bob! I stopped on the way home to restock some supplies but had to take a picture - this is as clean as our fridge and freezer will ever be!
Sad empty freezer!
This is probably more than you ever wanted to know about our 6 days without power but it was a memorable time for our family. One thing I did forget to mention is the fact that the entire family got the stomach bug during the power outage! Imagine a stomach bug in 40 degree house! At least the germs couldn't survive long! Next I have lots of pictures from Lizzie's birthday! Our little Buggy is 3 years old!
GNM - ILY!
