Winter

We have had a lovely winter!  This picture was taken this month - in January!  Last year at this time, we were deep into "explaining" (not complaining) about our weather woes.  This year, we bought insurance to try to prevent the problem...

This tractor has been our "insurance policy" I guess.  So far it has worked!  This is another January picture!! :)  The past few weeks have been WARM!  We've enjoyed several days in the 30's.  Wow!  It's good for our spirits.

Another thing that is good for our spirits is to exercise.  This picture was taken in December.  The temperature was below zero, but she covered up and went out anyway.  I love the sunset playing off her hair. 

And here she is in January!  She has a pretty nice Dad who has kept her running trail around the yard blown out.  But, we certainly couldn't have done that last winter!  Notice - no cold gear here!  It warmed up.

Guy Stuff...  New tires, mud flaps, and exhaust for Evan's pickup.

And LED's for the interior.  Huh? 

So happy together...  Mattie and an empty peanut butter jar.  She has become in tune to when a jar sounds empty during meal time.  Goofy Dog!!

The kids had a day off from school last week.  I had professional development all day, and was greeted by this sight when I came in the driveway!  :)  These are the blessings of winter!  As of today, most of our snow is gone. The snowman is still standing but looking very thin.  I'm happy and will remain happy without snow...  of course the snowmobilers in the family are starting to get a bit grumbly!  I'm sure we'll still get our share.  We still have February and March (and if it was like last year, even April into May!!!)  I'm liking this new insurance policy.

It's that Family Photo time of year...

Every fall we try to take a family picture.  It seems like we all sort of dread it, and yet we depend on it too... So one evening in October it was time to give it a go with the Canon.  I went outside with my camera, and Evan had raked up a pile of leaves.

 

 

Indeed, this is just a leaf pile... right?

Wrong!  It's the man of the family who happens to have a great sense of humor!  :)

Okay... dust him off.  Let's take the picture.  It was difficult to find "the right" setting.  The sunlight was fading, and we were all a bit frazzled.  Can't you tell?

Oh dear.

This really isn't working!

 A few weeks later... another attempt at a family picture. 

This was just a test photo, but I like it.

Here it is!  We got a good one!

And the kids didn't even mind posing for a photo together!?

And then Evan insisted that we go through the same pain that THEY endured, so Lana took our picture.  He even went and got a ladder to try and help us look taller.  Imagine...!  

It's okay to be short, really!

And once again, we're happy to have a new family photo - and happy to have the whole procedure over with!

The Last Race

Cross Country Season ended with State Competition a few weeks ago.  It was a warm, humid day for racing and disconcerting to see a few collapse from dehydration.  I was thankful to see Lana finishing strong (above picture in the finish "chute")  Every runner is a winner when they finish these races.

17th out of 208!

Grandpa and Gramma came to cheer her on - and cousin Alex who ran later the same day.

Her biggest fans!  :)

 Run Happy!

Football

The regular football season has come to a close, and now the Tommies are in their first round of playoffs.  It's been a learning experience for us and for Evan! 

Here we go!

 

Notice the boyish grins and Evan hanging on to a fire extinguisher!!  :)

0h... and the 1x4 steering wheel!

Up and Running!

This afternoon I was in the house and thought I heard a new noise...  Could it be?????  I looked at Lana and we headed to the window to see.  Sure enough!  The noise soon ceased and was quickly replaced by male voices whooping it up outside.  The VW started!!!  Voom  Voooom  Vooooooom!!  Up and Running!  

This morning was Lana's first cross country meet of the season.  There were no crazy new noises, but Voom, Voooom,  Voooooom... She is Up and Running! Actually she's been running all summer, but you know - this was the first race.


This is just a short post this evening.  Rob and I are up and running too.  School is in session, and life is good.

SUMMER!!!

We had a wonderful first day of summer this past Saturday... and it certainly was a long day!

Dad, Mom, and I (Lana) headed to town in the early morning for a 5k colon cancer benefit run, where Mom and I ran as a great start to our day! (It was Mom's first 5k)

Next to the giant inflatable colon!  haha

Mom finishing her race

                                                                                                                                                          

After our 5k, it started to get very warm (well, at least we thought it was warm) so we set up the pool and decided to try out our new paddleboard in it while it was filling! I just have to say that it was a good thing it was a hot day, because the pool was VERY cold.
                                                                                            

 
Meanwhile...
Evan was at Grandpa Larry's fishing, and the dog and cat were lazing around enjoying the weather. (Not that we asked them, but they sure looked like it)

At the end of the day was a little hail, just to add a little variety...

What a big, bold, beautiful day!  Let's hope we have some more like this :)