Dinner is Served

Elena has started cooking meals for us. Her specialty is microwave quesadillas and sliced fruit. She does the slicing herself. So far I'm the only one in the family who has cut their finger. More on that later.

Our kids spent more time around the horses this year. They are finally big enough that I'm not as worried about their safety. Elena loves to ride, and even took some riding lessons over the summer.

The New Boat

We bought a boat over the summer. Actually, I should say I told Karen we needed this boat and I didn't get an emphatic "No." So here we are. It's a 16' Alumacraft.

Marcus and I took it fishing several times and we pulled the kids around on the tube as well.

Marcus and I hit Lake Lowell a few times. Once while fishing near the trees, he threw his line right in the middle of a big Russian Olive. I was cussing him in my head when I heard a big splash. Apparently his lure made it into the water and he had a fish on! Unfortunately his line was all tangled in the tree so he ended up losing it. He likes to remind me of that story every time we go fishing.

Here is a photo of him with a fish about the size of the one he hooked in the tree.

One Very Naughty Child

Karen was looking through Elena's school binder the other day and discovered this little gem. Elena is in the first grade.

I have to admit I am feeling a bit let down. I really think she should be able to spell stupid correctly by now. Plus she didn't leave herself enough room for the most important adjective in the sentence!

Mccall Carnival/Cabin Vistit

We haven't been to the cabin much this winter, so last weekend we decided to head up there to check out the McCall Winter Carnival.

I wasn't planning on fishing, but Marcus really wanted to so of course I obliged. It was -4 degrees when we left the cabin, so we set up the shanty and heater and didn't move around at all. Fishing wasn't hot, but he managed to catch two and had a great time. I think he may have been more excited to eat the fish than he was to catch them.

While the boys were fishing, the girls played in the snow a bit.

Once Elena figured out that she could play on the roof both kids spent quite a bit of time up there.

On Sunday morning we went to see the ice sculptures at the carnival. Everyone was happy to pose for the first sculpture...

......Aaaaand two minutes later we were done. The temperature was in single digits that morning.

We decided to have brunch at the Anchor, which was really good. We then did a driving tour of the sculptures, and that was a big hit. We decided the carnival was fun in the morning because there were very few people out and traffic/parking were not issues.

Who Wants To Come Over for a Barbecue?

I thought tomorrow would be a good day to have a barbecue. I just need to clear off the patio table and dig out a few chairs.

 

We can kick back and have a few cocktails while the kids play in the backyard.

 

Today is our sixth consecutive snow day. Our garbage has been sitting out for four days waiting to be picked up. Several cities have declared a state of emergency, buildings are collapsing, 25 schools in the valley have major damage, and everything is just a big mess.

Marcus picked out a new book which is very fitting. Pete the Cat gets three snow daze. 

On the fourth day, he decides he wants to go to school, so he does something about it. We need more Petes in the world!

Marcus has abandoned his room for a warmer sleeping climate lately.

 Our kids love the hot tub. I think it was -3 outside on this particular venture.

The deep snow has put my chukar hunting on hold, but here is a photo I took on a recent outing. Note the fog at lower elevations-it was really nice to get out of the inversion. Some of you may recognize the butte in the background.

 Stay warm and safe everyone, and think....school!!!