walking in a winter wonderland

First off:

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, BABY!!!  WE HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR THREE YEARS, TOGETHER FOR NEARLY SEVEN YEARS, 
AND THROUGH IT ALL, I AM STILL  MADLY.  IN.  LOVE.
WITH YOU!

The past weekend was amazing for my husband and myself.  We celebrated our third wedding anniversary on Monday -- I can't believe that it's been three years, already! -- and we spend the weekend driving southwest of Pittsburgh to Seven Springs Mountain Resort for a weekend of snowboarding. And the past weekend was epic for me!

Ryan and I just learned this winter.  Well, Ryan grew up on a skateboard, so it was a really smooth transition for him.  Both of us skied growing up and wanted to get back on the slopes, but also wanted a more cost effective way to do it.  So... it just so happened that last August, Ryan stopped at a HUGE Dick's Sporting Goods in Novi that we normally never go to as it is an hour drive from our house.  While he was there, he saw these beginner decks that were on sale for $50 each, which is really an insanely low price.  That said, he bought a new 5150 snowboard deck for each of us.  Below are the pictures that Ryan messaged me when he told me his plan.

it's a marshmallow world!

Well, the blizzard came and left.  It did not leave as much snow as predicted (and unfortunately, it never does), but it still left a beautiful coat of snow.

Ryan, Scout and I all teamed up and cleaned out the driveway. Ryan used the snowblower, I took the shovel and played cleanup, and Scout was really just an observant (and faithfully diligent) project manager.

i've got my eyes on you!

snowpocalypse now!

Batten down the hatches, the storm has descended upon us!

That said, my husband and I are all prepared for being snowed in tomorrow.  We stocked up on groceries over the weekend, ahead of all the blizzard warnings.  And for that I'm grateful.  I mentioned yesterday that when I ran to the grocery store to pick up my husband's birthday cake, all of the grocery store staples were all but depleted.  No bananas, milk, etc.  It was crazy!

I took my girl Scout (I don't know that you have been formally introduced yet.  So I'll do that now.  Scout is a one and a half year old yellow lab.  She was named after one of my favorite literary characters, Scout Finch, from To Kill a Mockingbird.) for a long and gloriously snow-filled walk this evening, as the blustery wind had picked up.

Now that I am warmed up, with my blanket, my pup at my feet and a steaming cup of hot cocoa... All that is left is some entertainment.

And... With that, I will leave you with a clip from YouTube.  In the past 36 hours, I have NOT been able to get this song out of my head.

--happy living ( & stay warm!)