Will Spring Ever REALLY Be here?

The snow is starting to melt here in Jackson which seems a little early, but we are not complaining. It is so funny how the kids think that 35 degrees is summer around here. We were driving home from church the other day and William said "Oh, I just want to go home, put on some shorts, my bike helmet, and run around the neighborhood." Why the bike helmet I am not quite sure. Maybe because there is still some ice to slip on?

So I posted some pictures of Ella's indoor lemonade stand she had because I had to break the news to her that no one is really out looking for lemonade this time of year. It was a happy surprise for the boys when they got off the school bus, having lemonade ready for them.

I also posted a picture of Ella and William having a picnic in the "summer weather".

Spring is such a magical time! I miss living in a place where blossoms bloom and tulips grow.

Putting the Dog to use

So, when our family left today...Sam cried, we felt depressed. We had to get outside. So, while Adam and Ella were napping, I took the boys out for some dog sledding fun. Right behind our house is a groomed cross-country ski trail and we went out so Huckle could pull the boys -Sam on his skiis and Will on one of our Norwegien "Sparks". We laughed and we had a little crying when Huckle got distracted by another dog and tangled Sam up in the rope. Also when Huckle ran towards the horse coral that he loves to run through. Overall, it was lots of fun and it changed our mood.

Weekend Fun

Mimi, Papa, Uncle Ben, and Cousin Olivia came to visit for the weekend. It felt so good to have some visitors!! It always makes home feel like vacation when people come to stay. The highlights include: Valentine's Day parties at the kids school, oil painting by Adam, Papa, and Ben, Downhill Skiing, Eating cheese fondue and pear almond tart, watching the opening ceremonies for the Olympics (Go cross-country skiiers!!) Getting Thai food, decorating Valentine's Day cookies, laughing and hanging out in our jammies. It's so sad they had to leave today.

Red House in the Country

Here is a picture I took today of our new house. It is coming along!! When the red first started going up, I started to panic. There are not any other red houses in the neighborhood - mostly brown. Sometimes the color freaks me out, other times I love it. It depends on how much sun is shining on it. But here it is!! Our red swedish house in honor of Adam's grandpa who grew up in a red swedish house in the countryside of Sweden. Projected finish date: April 2nd (crossing my fingers). It will be a relief to have the building process behind us!!!

Adam is 34!

Here is a picture of Adam on his birthday. Yes, the candle is stuck in a baked potato. We don't allow cake around here (yeah right!). We hadn't quite gotten around to the cake business yet. So, here he is.....Adam at 34!! Looking pretty good!

Happy Birthday Adam!!!

Huckleberry

This is our new dog Huckleberry or "Huckle". We went to Salt Lake City for Christmas to be with extended family and came home with a car full of toys, bags, skis, and a dog! We were very loaded down and even had to leave a few things behind.

Huckle is a Pudel Pointer that we got from some friends who were moving to Arizona and didn't think that was a good place for him. They wanted to find a family that could give him lots of love and who would get him outside and be active. So far, I think he is getting what he needs most of the time.

Sometimes I think we are a little crazy to add a dog to the chaos of three young children, but overall we are happy. The kids totally adore him. The first thing they say when they wake up is, "Where's Huckle?" Then they all snuggle him in his dog bed. He tolerates a lot from the kids.

One good and bad thing about him is that he requires a lot of exercise. He loves to run fast! Adam and I have been taking him out cross-country skiing with us on the groomed trails behind our house and at Teton National Park. If I want to be lazy, I can't because I have to take Huckle out so he can run. Last weekend Adam and I got a babysitter for Adam's birthday and we went skiing at Teton National Park. We brought Huckle and a harness because dogs have to be on a leash there. It was so fun because when I got tired on the way back from our 8 mile trip, Huckle pulled me! I was laughing so hard. I felt like I was on a dog sled race.

"Eating fish sticks todaoooo!"

We have been listing to Christmas music lately. On our way home from church the other day, we were listeing to "Angels We Have Heard on High" William asked us, "Why are they singing about fish sticks?" First of all, I had to ask how he even knows about fish sticks because I don't recall him ever eating them. Then I had to figure out exactly what part of the song said something about fish sticks. When I did, we all had a good laugh and we sang instead of "in excelsis Deo" We sang, "eating fish sticks todaooo!" It's hard figuring out the words to songs sometimes!!