Jan 26, 2026
Dear Gracie,
We're in the middle of the January Ice Storm of 2026--brrr! There is a huge winter storm over much of the United States right now with very low temperatures (it's been in the teens here, though today it warmed up to a balmy 32 degrees)--except the Utah/Idaho/northwestern part of the States. No (much needed) snow for them, unfortunately. But let me back up a little.
The first part of the week was standard. On Tuesday the kids went back to school and Dad and I went back to work. I tried an experiment for preschool that flopped (mixing salt in water to make things float), but the kids had fun stirring and dropping things into the water, so they didn't notice the fail. (Pro tip: don't tell them what is supposed to happen in case it doesn't.) With the weather predictions, people started panic shopping, so the stores got cleaned out of basic foods and emergency supplies. I had already shopped on Monday, and was fairly confident we'd have enough for any delays.
Benson was asked to join the school's jazz band to help with the drumset. He doesn't know a lot about jazz, but he can keep the rhythm. It adds a morning and afternoon practice, so now with his tennis and his other band sectional, he has to stay after school every day except Thursday, which is the day he goes early. I've driven him a few times, but he prefers to ride his bike when the weather is good so he doesn't have to wait for me to be done with piano lessons.
Tessa decided she needed another day home from school on Friday. 
Since she has been working hard and is never sick, I figured she could have a "mental health day" and she used a lot of it sleeping and then studying for a couple tests. The weather was predicted to turn bad that afternoon, though it had already been raining throughout the morning. Dad was able to come home early, after stopping at Walmart for milk, though they didn't have any and he had to go to Tom Thumb. He picked up Benson and then some pizza, and we were ready to hunker down for the storm! The temperature dropped noticeably and it started raining tiny ice balls, which continued all through the night. We had a fun surprise when someone knocked on our door, and we found a locked box, with a message for Tessa. She had to try several combinations with different boys' names connected to each to find which worked, and that was who was asking her to the Church Winter Formal (Mormon Prom 
). (The note said, "Crack the code and I think we'd make a great combination to the dance.") Turns out it was Tyler Hicken! Inside the box were some chocolate covered pretzels, which she had told me earlier that day was her favorite treat (when Tyler's mom texted me to ask).
Since she has been working hard and is never sick, I figured she could have a "mental health day" and she used a lot of it sleeping and then studying for a couple tests. The weather was predicted to turn bad that afternoon, though it had already been raining throughout the morning. Dad was able to come home early, after stopping at Walmart for milk, though they didn't have any and he had to go to Tom Thumb. He picked up Benson and then some pizza, and we were ready to hunker down for the storm! The temperature dropped noticeably and it started raining tiny ice balls, which continued all through the night. We had a fun surprise when someone knocked on our door, and we found a locked box, with a message for Tessa. She had to try several combinations with different boys' names connected to each to find which worked, and that was who was asking her to the Church Winter Formal (Mormon Prom ). (The note said, "Crack the code and I think we'd make a great combination to the dance.") Turns out it was Tyler Hicken! Inside the box were some chocolate covered pretzels, which she had told me earlier that day was her favorite treat (when Tyler's mom texted me to ask).The temperature dropped all night, so the rain froze, and in a lot of the country, the ice and cold temps were much, much worse than it was here. Thankfully the ice didn't really accumulate on tree branches or wires, so not a lot of people around here lost power. It did, however, accumulate on the roads and the rest of the ground. All the little ice balls, which continued to fall most of the day, gathered together and solidified into a giant ice sheet, making traveling pretty dangerous. We got notice that church and school for Monday (today) and Tuesday would be cancelled, since temperatures wouldn't get warm enough to melt the ice off the roads until Tuesday (we hope--and it's looking like that will be true). So Saturday turned into a pretty lazy day. Benson was supposed to have friends over for D&D, but he convinced Tessa to play with him (though it was just creating a character). Dad got the Wii working again, so that was a trip down memory lane. We were supposed to have the elders over for dinner. They're on bikes, and texted to say that they had been told they couldn't ride their bikes in the storm, so if Brother Roper was willing to pick them up, they could come. We texted back that Brother Roper didn't feel comfortable driving on the ice, and confirmed that they did have enough food to feed themselves. We'll have them over on another day...
On Sunday, the ground was covered with ice, with a layer of gritty ice balls, providing traction if you tried to walk. It varied in depth, from an inch or so to five or six, where it drifted, but it was all solid and slick. Dad took Benson over to the pond to slide down the hill a couple times (we take our sledding opportunities when we can--though Tessa and I opted out, as it was bitterly cold for us) until the tubes popped. We had been given permission to hold Sacrament Meeting at home, so after people warmed up and showered, we had our small church service. We had a gentle snowfall all day. That afternoon Tessa made homemade pretzels, which she and Dad walked over to the Hickens house to answer Tyler. (Her sign said, "Tyler, I'd be twisted to say no. You've unlocked a yes from me!") Even though he would know who it was from, she opted to ring the bell and hide, and slipped a couple times running around to the side of their house. (Since they live on a hill in a cul-de-sac, she didn't want to run down the street.) Dad was there waiting, and the neighbor, who had seen them on his ring camera, came out and yelled at them, wondering what they were doing. So it wasn't a very secret operation, but it was an adventure!
So now it's Monday, and things are still cold (though warming, as I mentioned) and ice is beginning to melt, though it will refreeze through the night, so I think it was the right call to cancel school for tomorrow. I bundled up and took a walk around the neighborhood (I love my snow boots!). Dad worked from home. Tessa and Benson played games and the Switch (and even a little piano!). Maybe tomorrow we'll get serious and do the things we've been putting off all weekend. (Mount Laundry is calling...) There are still people in the country suffering from much colder temperatures and no power, so we are grateful that for this storm, we've been able to be warm, cozy, fed, and safe. (It has already dropped to 28 degrees as I've been writing this letter.) (Have I used enough parentheses in this paragraph??)
Does Germany ever get icy?
I hope you've had a warm, cozy, safe week, and that you've been fed some awesome German food. Write down recipes when you can! Don't lose your gloves! Drink some hot chocolate!
We love you, Gracie! Have a wonderful week. 
Mom
