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On December 14th we received our first snowfall (first photo). It was the kind of gentle dusting typical for the Seattle metro area which usually averages only seven days of measureable snow per year, with rarely more than an inch or so at a time. Brittany loved it all the same.

On December 18th Seattle's weather turned extremely uncharacteristic. We got the first of several major snows; this first dumping started in the pre-dawn hours and by noon put about 10 inches on the ground. With very little wind blowing the snow coverage was evenly spread obliterating virtually all semblances of walkways, roads and parking areas around our apartment complex.

Soon neighborhood kids ventured out with all manner of improvised sleds: trash bin liners, cardboard boxes, etc. Most, like us, are recent transplants from warmer parts of the world so there was a sense of wonder and excitement far greater than I can recall as a kid growing up in a cold northern climate. In no time at all the kids turned the playground slope below our building into a pretty slick sledding hill.