Snow Days

So I think the freaky weather started on Tuesday. I remember this because I was afraid we would have to cancel our first book group. Thankfully, we didn’t and the weirdness waited until we woke up to snow on Wednesday morning… (of which I was pleasantly surprised)

Now snow was in the forecast, but not until late Wednesday. But it didn’t last long and we went about our normal routine despite the hail, wind, sun, rain, snow, sun, snow/hail mix… In fact, on Wednesday evening in only 8 minutes it went from sunny and 40 to SNOWING and 34. Again, it didn’t last long and it was all gone shortly afterwards…

Until we woke up to snow again on Thursday morning… I have to admit I was pretty disappointed this time as it was NOT the several inches of snow that was predicted. I felt gypped! This wasn’t what I ordered…

Then to make matters worse, the sun came out and melted all the snow away!

Tabbi would hardly even step foot into the snow

   

The girls finally ventured out to explore

Then the freaky weather started up again! Hail, sun, snow, wind! And all in about 20 minutes!

This isn’t snow, it’s hail-snow!

 

It was like little tiny snowballs even bigger than the airsoft BB’s which were STILL on the deck!

Then it stopped, everything melted (yet AGAIN), until about 3:30… when it started to SNOW!!!

In about an hour we had a couple of inches! And it didn’t stop!!! This was the snow we had been promised!

Here’s what the deck looked like in less than an hour!

  

By 5:30, the boys were able to transform our mailbox into a snow monster!

  

It wasn’t even dark yet and still showed no signs of letting up!

Around 8:00 we realized we had a LOT of snow! And it was still snowing…

The neighbors? What neighbors??? I don’t see the neighbors! Our fence had become a wall of snow!

This morning we awoke to a glorious blue sky and sparkling whiteness everywhere!!!

           Even the snow monster looked better this morning!

Pots? What pots???

Our tiki torch looks more like a giant snocone!

The woods look so beautiful in the snow!

Right after breakfast the boys headed out to play in, what is probably to be, the last snow of the season… :o(

Unlike the cat, Betsy loves the snow!

  

We may not have a hill but we do have stairs!

Will’s just chillin’!

He is now practicing for his role as the evil snow ruler!

I had no idea how fortunate we were until we finally got our newspaper and I read that we were the only place in the region to get snow!!! Sorry everyone! But we promise to enjoy it for you… :o)

Airsoft Army

Last Saturday was Zack’s big airsoft battle. And it totally proved that God even cares about 20 teenage boys getting together to dress in camo and shoot one another with tiny plastic BB’s. The Wednesday before was cold and snowy. The following Wednesday was, too. But that Saturday was GORGEOUS!!! Sunny, beautiful blue skies and in the 50’s!

First off was the training session in the garage complete with a Power Point presentation. Then it was off for drills.

I think Tony’s ready to go…

We’re even ready in case of poison gas!

Visual aids

Dallas? Where’s Dallas??? I don’t see him! :o)

 

Grabbing a cookie and heading out for drills

After drills the boys did a bit of practice target shooting while they waited for lunch: BBQ hot dogs!

  Then it was time to pick teams and head for the hill…

Circle up boys!

  

I think we could start our own militia! LOL

The boys all had a great time and there were only minimal causalities… Zack did a really good job pulling this whole thing together (and cleaning up after, too)!

Family Flashback- Video Stars

In 1999, we were Newsboys FREAKS! Oh wait, we still are… :o) That October we learned that they were coming to the Christian Supply near our house to film a music video. So we packed up Zack, Andy, my sister Theresa and her friend Rachel and went to wait in line.

First they jammed all of us into a dark room in the basement of the store. Then they taught us all the “moves”. I wasn’t very good at them, but then as I remember it was kind of like trying to play Dance Dance Revolution in a mosh pit. :o) After we all got them down, or at least passable, they brought in the band to get us all jazzed up and ready to go! Peter comes out in his full-length black fur coat, cowboy hat and signature black eyeliner… Then lights, camera, action!

Yeah, it’s still an awesome song! Look for us (well, you can’t see us specifically but it’s our group) at 4:27.

Afterwards, all us music video stars were promised autographs! So it was back in yet another line to wait and wait and wait…

We waited so long, Andy fell asleep over Chris’ shoulder

About 250+ people showed up to be in this video and subsequently to get autographs. And we had about 15 people behind us in line.

Despite all the fame, all the fans, all the writing when we showed up to have our video and cd signed you would think we were the first in line! No grabbing our stuff and shoving us through… Not the Newsboys! They actually listened. Peter even wrote a personal message just for Zack. “Hey Zack! You RULE!” Then he lifted him up on the table so we could snap a pic!

Peter Furler, you RULE!!!

When we told Duncan Phillips that Andy wanted to be a drummer like him when he grew up, he stopped the entire line and yelled to all the guys in the band, “Hey guys! This kid wants to be ME when he grows up!” And now Andy is a drummer just like Duncan! Who would have guessed???

That’s Jody Davis pointing at Andy and teasing Duncan about it!

Yeah, the Leingangs think the Newsboys are the greatest band ever!!!

Cadet Airman Leingang

This evening, Zack earned his first rank at Civil Air Patrol. We all got to go and watch him get his pins. In fact, Col. Lewis let Chris pin them on during the ceremony!

We’re pretty darned proud of our Airman! You should have heard him rattle off the CAP pledge… It was pretty impressive!!!

I hereby make application for cadet membership in Civil Air Patrol. I pledge that I will serve faithfully in the Civil Air
Patrol Cadet Program and that I will attend meetings regularly, participate actively in unit activities, obey my
officers, wear my uniform properly, and advance my education and training rapidly to better serve my community, state, and nation.

The Air Force even gave him a backpack…

Kung Fu Testing

Last month both Zack and Andy did their testing for their next belt in kung fu: white/purple. Unfortunately I did not get any pictures… Thankfully, Sifu Steve had a photographer there to take pics for us!

So here are some shots of them getting their belts! We are so proud of our little ninjas!!! (Don’t tell them I said that… LOL)

First Zack…

Then Andy.