FEBRUARY BEAUTY

A few weeks ago we awoke to a beautiful hoarfrost covering everything. It's days like these that I'm glad to be in the upper midwest. The magnificence of the bright, sparkling snow can't be captured in a photo, but it helps to have a little reminder of nature's beauty.



Although its a little difficult to see, a bright red cardinal landed in our birch tree outside our kitchen window, and again, I tried to capture the moment. The contrasting colors were impressive.



One more view of the sparkling snow outside our front windows.

Enjoy what you have around you....

On Eagles Wings...

Our family said goodbye to a special lady this week. My sister-in-love, Ginny, left us on Tuesday, February 2nd. She was in my life for 50 years and I will miss her. I'll miss her smile, her generosity, her phone calls.. and just HER. Please pray for my brother and his family as they move on without her. Peace ......

Winter Fun

The weather moderated and the snow was perfect to do a few downhill runs on the snow tube while we waited for Finnian to come home from school.

The evening ended with hot dogs and S'mores roasted in the fireplace. It made everyone warm and toasty and ready for tubs and bedtime. Ah, these are sweet times. We miss you both and look forward to seeing you soon!

January Busy-ness (2nd Report)

Finnian and Adalia went to Cochrane with me over the weekend -

Saturday is baking day - Adalia wanted to surprise Grandpa with chocolate chip cookies -but we needed strong arm assistance so he didn't look down at the bowl as he stirred and stirred.

The seal of approval was given by Finnian upon the first bite of the warm, soft cookies.

Later it was time for root beer floats for dessert (be assured they ate a healthy dinner Mom and Dad) Adalia shows the skills needed when the root beer fizzles over the top - a straw and one little tongue gets the job done "lickety split".

After a big day at Pre School it is time for a snack - here is Miss Hot Chocolate Face.

Wanna Smooch?

Winter Vacation-Wisconsin Style

While Mom and Dad are having a get-away in Arizona, Grandpa and Grandma are "vacationing" with Finnian and Adalia in LaCrosse. Wisconsinites know how to ignore the sub-zero temps and wind chills and party on.......

Adalia decided to get her cool, new picnic basket out that she received from Shawn, Kevin and Ivy for Christmas (who says you have to wait until summer?) We had hot lemonade instead of the cold variety, and blue cheddar cracker fish instead of fresh caught bluegills....

Suddenly a predator appears out of nowhere!!! Everyone was on alert.....

It didn't take long and the predator was lovingly captured....


(Not without a little resistance however)

The decision was made to move to indoor facilities to avoid more predator sitings.

A decision was also made to increase the size of the village:

It Takes A Village AND a big brother to REALLY jump start the fun.

We are having fun and hope mom and dad are having a good time and resting up before returning home later this week.

News Flash: Santa's Bag Splits Open on Birchview Rd!!

My best guess is because of all the ice and snow we had last week, Santa's elves forgot to "de-ice" the sleigh, causing icicles to form, which poked holes in his bag, resulting in most of the contents spilling out at Finnian and Adalia's house. Rumor has it he was heard tip-toeing down the hall around 3:00 a.m after assembling all the toys and enjoying the cookies and milk that had been left out for him. This is what was waiting for obviously a very good boy and girl on Christmas morning:


First - there was a CASTLE BOUNCE HOUSE sitting where once a dining room lived...... yes, a full scale 12 foot high bounce house - how did Santa know Adalia loves bounce houses? It appears that Finnian enjoys it too. The protective screen isn't condusive for clear photography.

(No one having fun here!)

Then - where a sofa once sat, was a huge SLOT CAR TRACK....this was a very interesting piece of architectural wizardry - one that had to be redesigned every time Etta, the cat, walked through and around to inspect the "soundness" of the structure.

Then, it was time to try out the new air hockey table - Finnian proved to be a worthy opponent. Notice anything about this picture? Yep, Kersten is back on crutches. After many weeks of casts and physical therapy for her torn achilles tendon, it decided to tear again. Nothing like facing surgery the week after Christmas. She spent the day playing the new game of "Find Your Way Through The Obstacle Course of New Christmas Toys While On Crutches." Due to her experienced "crutch handling", she maneuvered her way through the maze in ballerina style.

While others were getting the "handle" on new games, someone was busy making tea and adding just the right number of sugar lumps and cream to each cup..... this is a very important job and Ivy makes sure its done just right!

Sending friends near and far our very best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a happy, healthy, prosperous and CRUTCHLESS New Year!

P.S. Last report was that Kersten and Jim are still searching for their missing furniture. With any luck it should surface before spring.

Merry Christmas

Our family gathered over the past weekend for our Christmas party. There were lots of cookies to eat, juice boxes and adult beverages to be sampled and Finnian challenged everyone to a game of checkers, and he remains the Checker Champ.....


The girls had to help Grandpa fix the stool before Ivy had time to take off her snowsuit!

Then it was time to open gifts - did anyone find the pickle on the tree??

Santa didn't bring any riding toys - but Grandpa makes a great pony!

We send our very best Merry Christmas wishes to all - enjoy family - that's what it is all about.