Snow – Page 10 – M. Sullivan Photography

February 26, 2012February 26, 2012 M. Sullivan Photography Daphne, Photos, Vacation, Weather

Winter Break

It’s Sunday evening and winter break for the kids has come to an end. They had a good week with lots of fun at daycare Monday through Wednesday. Sebastian had the opportunity to go to Spirit Mountain on Monday evening with his daycare friend’s church group and went tubing and rode the Alpine coaster. Both kids had dentist appointments on Thursday, no cavities, but braces will likely be in Sophia’s future. The dentist said she would give us a referral to an orthodontist at our next check up in August. Just when we were cutting back on child care costs, the orthodontist will more than make up for it.

We checked into a local hotel Thursday afternoon using a gift certificate we won at a silent auction event this past fall. We had a room with direct access to the pool. The kids had their swimsuits on before I even had everything in the room. We swam, used the hot tub and had the pool area pretty much to ourselves.

Sebastian worked on his cannonball.

I played lifeguard until Mike joined us after work. My swimming skills are lacking, so I was relieved that the pool was only five feet deep.

There was also a game room in the pool area. Lucky that Mike and I rarely have any cash in our wallets. The kids talked us into getting them tokens, but our combined efforts only provided for $12 in tokens. Sebastian really wanted to win this.

He came up empty-handed, but Sophia managed to win two rubber balls in a crane game. She used her sharing skills and gave one to Sebastian.

After the kids were exhausted from swimming, we ventured out into Canal Park to get some dinner at Green Mill.

After dinner, we enjoyed s’mores back at the hotel.

The kids swam again in the morning before breakfast, then filled up on waffles, fruit, yogurt and juice at the complimentary breakfast buffet.

Views of Canal Park from the pool area.

The kids layed low for the rest of the afternoon knowing that they would be up late at the Bulldog hockey game that night. We watched a great overtime game with a winning goal at two minutes left in the overtime period. These are photos from last fall at the Bulldog home opener during the tailgate party. A friend and co-worker of mine took a few photos of our family and I just saw them for the first time last week.

Winter break came to an end today with an all day snow storm and ski races at Chester Bowl. Sophia skied two solid races despite having some problems with her ski bindings right before the race. Mike got her back on track and she had a couple of nice runs. Sebastian finished in first place in his division. Mike snapped this picture with his iPhone when Sebastian went up to collect his trophy and take his moment on the podium. Way to go!

And last, but not least, here’s Daphne playing in some of our new snow.

We are expecting more snow this week, days filled with school and work and evenings filled with activities. I am already looking forward to next weekend!

March 24, 2011 M. Sullivan Photography Landscapes, Photos, Weather

The Blizzard That Wasn’t

Snow predictions were as high as 24 inches and included a blizzard warning for our recent weather event. It started with high winds on Tuesday. The waves on Lake Superior were incredible. Surfers in wet suits were even seen enjoying a ride on the cold waves. On my way back to work after lunch, I stopped by Canal Park to take a few photos as the water crashed into the shore. The spray of water soaked the weather watchers who were standing too close.

Water Spray Obstructs The View Of the Lighthouse

We waited for the snow to begin Tuesday afternoon and then into the evening. A few snowflakes began at around 6pm and then stopped abruptly an hour later. The kids went to bed hoping for school to be closed the next day as the weather forecaster were still predicting snow. At 5am Daphne needed to go outside. Mike reported back that the driveway was bare – no snow. The winds had been strong and gusty all night long and continued throughout the day on Wednesday. Sustained winds were around 50mph at one point and a gust of 70mph was recorded on the Bong Bridge between Duluth and Superior. The waves on the lake continued to be high. I made a stop in Canal Park at the location I took photos the day before. The spray of lake water in the parking lot was too much for me to even get out of my vehicle – no pictures and still no snow. I couldn’t help but check back this morning (Thursday) after the winds had died down to see what the landscape looked like next to the Aerial Lift Bridge and Lake Superior shore…it was incredible!

Mother nature never ceases to amaze us. Our weather may not be the best in the country, but it certainly is the most interesting and beautiful.

January 30, 2011January 31, 2011 M. Sullivan Photography Flowers, Skiing, Sledding

Winter Fun

Mike has been busy keeping up with all of the snow this winter. Snowblowing the driveway and sidewalks, shoveling the stairs and decks and keeping the backyard sledding course in tip-top shape. We spent some time checking out his work on the sledding hill yesterday. We all had a great time sliding – including the grown ups. Sebastian took a little video of the fun.

Here’s Sophia two weeks ago just after she caught some air going over the big jump.

And posing for Mom.

Sebastian and Sophia also competed in their third Chester Bowl Ski Race this weekend. They both had awesome runs down the hill. Here are some clips of the action.

It’s been so much fun watching the kids improve their skills and their times each week on the course. There are three more ski races this year. We can’t wait!