Since when do snowstorms get named? Of course hurricanes always have names but I don't recall the same being said of snowstorms. Nevertheless, about a week ago we started hearing of a possible blizzard that might arrive in our area during this past weekend. Soon I started reading and hearing about "Jonas." Then I realized that Jonas was the name of the impending snowstorm. Like many people, I was skeptical that we would receive any substantial amount of snow. However, as the time got closer and the weathermen were not backing off on their predictions and even increasing their snowfall amounts, I realized that we probably were going to get a lot of snow. As I wrote in a previous blog, when snow is in the forecast, my children and Steve start asking, "are you making donuts?" The snow was to begin on Friday evening and that morning I stopped at the store on my way to work and got all the necessary ingredients. Usually, I mix the dough up myself in an evening and only get help the following day to roll, cut, fry and ice the doughnuts. But Julissa wanted to see the entire process (she had never made them before) and Megan also was interested in helping with the beginning of it (that's what happens when you get married, I guess), so I invited them and Shawns' for lunch on Saturday and then we mixed and kneaded the dough that afternoon.
By Saturday noon, the snow inches were piling up and the children had to use some ingenuity to get to our place. Here are the modes of transportation they used.
Josh & Julissa arrived by tractor. When it snows their lane always gets huge snowdrifts and is pretty much impossible to navigate with normal vehicles.
Shawn & Awstin arrive.
Melissa arrives.
Megan was able to walk. Steve plowed their driveway and ours to make it easier for her. Unfortunately Jeremy had to work all weekend so wasn't home at all.
It was nice to have the family together on a cold, snowy day but we missed Jay's family and Jeremy. I realize we are fortunate to have some of our children living close to us. Most families would not have had the option of getting together on a day when travel was treacherous.
After lunch we mixed up two batches of dough. I neglected to get any pictures but here are the two containers of dough that I took out of the refrigerator the next morning.
The dough
Josh and Julissa and Megan came early on Sunday morning to roll and cut the dough while Steve worked outside with the loader, opening driveways. We then had to let the doughnuts rise again so everyone went home for several hours and came back around lunch time. This time Shawn and Awstin joined us (Melissa had to go to work). Megan had to milk in the afternoon as well, so after lunch, Steve, Shawn, Josh, Julissa and I finished the donuts.
Rolling and cutting the dough
More cutting.
We put the donuts in the basement and blasted the heat to encourage them to rise.
Steve was in charge of the frying.
Teamwork makes everything go more smoothly
The donuts drip drying.
The end result was about 150 delicious donuts and many donut holes! We divided them up between the four families and everyone went home happy.
Yes, they were as yummy as they look!
The donut holes were really good with a powdered sugar and cinnamon glaze.
Here are a few more snow pictures.
Josh and Julissa powering out their driveway.
Interesting view out our office window.
Awstin was so cute all bundled up in his snowmobile outfit.
Melissa got her snowmobile stuck.
Shawn comes to her aid.
Out it comes!
Even though it was a huge snowstorm, (we got around 28 inches) it did not fall into the category of a blizzard because there were not enough high winds with it. Basically everything was shut down on Saturday but by Sunday the sun came out and people were able to dig themselves out. Thankfully there was no loss of electricity so that definitely made it a lot less stressful. Schools are still closed while back roads continue to be cleared but all in all I will take a "blizzard" like that any day of the year.
Yesterday one of Melissa and Kristen's relatives got married so all of the grandchildren came to our house while their parents attended the wedding. It certainly made for a lively household and there was a lot of energy running around!
In the afternoon, Steve took the two boys and two tricycles to the store with him while he put up some shelving so the girls and I had a little bit of time to play dolls. Alexis and Lydia had gotten the American Girl bitty twins for Christmas and I have the American Girl dolls, Samantha and Kit, that they love to play with. They each brought a second doll along as well so we had quite the fleet of dolls. We lined them all up and got them ready for a wedding (imagine that!). I believe weddings have been on their mind a lot lately. Well, by the time I got everyone's hair fixed (that is my job) and they choose all the dresses the dolls were going to wear and we got them on, Hannah was awake. Oh well, that was the fun part anyway. The girls are coming for a weekend in February and I promised them we would have plenty of time to play then and we won't have other distractions.
This was before we had them all dressed for the wedding but you can see that Samantha is the bride!
They named the twins Emily and Ellie.
Meanwhile, Steve had the boys with him at the store. There was plenty of space to ride around and the boys had a great time.
Ready, set, go!
After Hannah woke up from her nap the girls and I went to the store to see how the men were doing and I grabbed this quick video of the boys riding.
Hannah was a contented little girl all day. It was fun to watch her toddling around. She enjoys playing by herself and as long as the others left her alone she was happy as could be.
Love that smile!
There she goes!
Steve and I are so glad to have these little ones in our lives!
Here are some more pictures of Josh and Julissa's special day. The bridal party met before the wedding at Refreshing Mountain to take pictures and most of these are ones that Kristen took while they were there. I'm glad she was able to get some of the grandchildren. They all looked so adorable in their wedding outfits. Usually there was one that didn't want to cooperate for pictures but that's what makes it fun. Josh and Julissa said the children were there for their cuteness and they certainly handled that job description well. Rather than get frustrated it was great to see everyone just laughing and going along with whatever the children threw at them. The photographer was wonderful and never seemed rattled when the kids didn't always do what they were supposed to do.
If you look close you can see Awstin is holding on to Josh's finger.
The bride and groom with their beautiful flower girls and handsome ring bearers.
Three lovely ladies!
The boys goofing off
"Maybe if we run away they won't make us come back for pictures!"
This may be my favorite picture. Mark was totally done with pictures by this time and so were the rest of the children, except for Hannah. Look at her smiling! And I love the way Josh and Julissa are just laughing.
Pretty little girl dressed just like her sisters. I loved their dresses!
Some down time before walking down the aisle.
On the left you can just see Jay holding Lydia and Alexis. The girls are intently watching and smiling as Josh and Julissa feed each other cake.
If you have a couple of minutes, enjoy this video. Of course Josh gets a
lot of ribbing for his occupation and Julissa's brothers couldn't pass up the
opportunity to sing about it. The song was written by John Schmid. I have
no idea how her brothers came across it, but it was perfect for the occasion.
What an exciting day! To think, last year at this time we were wishing and praying for a woman to enter Josh's life and now to have him married to Julissa is just incredible. I know that all our dreams and prayers are not answered the way that we often wish they would be but once and awhile when they are it just makes you stand back and say "wow" and "thank you". I know there are young women and young men who are still hoping and praying to meet someone and maybe some of them never will, and I want to be sensitive to that. I don't know why some prayers are answered the way we desire them to be and why some aren't. However, today, we are rejoicing in this marriage and we are so happy for both of them. Last evening at the rehearsal meal, a comment was made to Julissa about it finally being her turn to be the bride. She responded, "it was so worth the wait!"
During the wedding ceremony a brilliant rainbow lit up the sky outside. It was as though Steve's dad was looking down and smiling. It was a special moment and the photographer was able to take a couple of pictures of Josh and Julissa with the rainbow in the background. I can't wait to see them!
I didn't take many pictures but here are a few. I'll post more at a later date that include the bridal party and family pictures when we get them from the photographer.
Love their big smiles!
Julissa's wedding dress was gorgeous and she was absolutely beautiful!
Steve & I in our wedding attire!
Welcome to the family Julissa! We are glad you are here!
