Small Blessings

 I love birds.  I think they are one of our small blessings in life.  Some days I feel like they are BIG blessings!  One day this week was like that.  I was working away at my computer, and I heard a chickadee at my feeder outside the living room, "Chickadee-dee-dee!"  It was music to my ears!  Since we moved to this place almost 17 years ago, there were chickadees.  We'd hear them singing all winter.  Then two winters ago, they all disappeared.  I have not seen one here since, until this week!  Keep your fingers crossed for me...  I hope they stay!  :)

The next day I heard some more singing, and there was a redpoll at the feeder!  We think they are heralding an early spring.  Looking forward to some warmer weather this week...

 

 These grasses are another small blessing.  All winter they have been waving at us through one of the living room windows.  They dance around in the slightest breezes, and are quite cheerful.  Many years they would have been broken off and covered up by snow, but not this year!  Soon I will have to cut these stalks off so new ones can grow again.

Are pigeons blessings?  I was shocked to see this fancy couple on our roof the same day I saw the chickadee.  They are very interesting and have been hanging around for a few days now.

And lastly... I'm quite sure this is NOT a small blessing, but it is interesting anyway...  Remember that snowman?  He was looking thin lately.  Rob and Evan decided to move him closer to the house with the tractor, and somehow their plans changed...

I guess they needed to use that tractor for something this winter!!! 

Only in North Dakota

38 below zero with the windchill.  Hmmmm.....  but, here she is after her 5K - still smiling!

And a little later with her friend Anne.  They started running together last year, and have both been hooked ever since! 

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!