~Thaw~

Things are thawing up nicely 'round these parts......I had an extra day off last week and took these girls to a nearby mountaintop. It was still snowy, and even icy in some parts...but we made it to the top! The word for the day was: persevere. They used it throughout the day....and that's what we did to make it to the top despite the conditions. We hiked about 6 miles round trip......then enjoyed some pizza and a chocolate Sunday....oh yeah! hey...at least we burned some calories to take in some new ones.....!

Saturday Coop went over to a friends to spend the night (Gavin's) and I shopped some. Boys had some haircuts.....and later that evening out with some friends - Browns, Tweksburies, and Seypacks. It was a fun night for sure. I have some pics below...to capture a glimpse of it.....Sunday - Vermont had open weekend for Maple Syrup....so, we got up and headed out to visit sugar shacks....below we are Lockerby's in Chester, Vermont.


Oh, and thanks to one of my very smart co-workers ....my computer is working again....it was very sick :(  Cooper had loaded one too many gaming thingys on this!!!!!

Hilly, Morgan, and Ava......

Wednesday night - get -to-gether for supper......snow in March.....

Got this from Brock's phone...shhhh......It has Mr. Cap in it.....love this....

On our way to the Mountaintop

They loved this tree :)

Summit...in EARLY spring....

Girls.....

Me, Rebecca, and Morgan

Post climb MEAL......they cleaned their plates....

Coop and Hilly at Lockerby's Maple Sugar Farm in Chester, VT

Grade B test -tasting.

~Helluava Week~

There's a dip here called Helluva Good Dip....well, that word about sums up our last week. Crazy. Anyway, I will focus on the positive and all the wonderful that has come our way.......Brock turned 14~ WOW! We celebrated his birthday last Sunday on a mountain top ...just him, me, and Coop. Good time...it snowed most of the day....and yes, they got me on the terrain park...what the hell?! It happened. I enjoyed Satchem - a blue trail. Cooper was so nice to be compassionate to his mama...waiting on her on each of those jumps! All in all it was a memorable day followed with Rumanto's for dinner.

It's thawing here....things are opening up...including the potholes in the roads! Also, I might add.....there is a definite difference in negative degree weather if you ever experience as I have this winter on a day to day basis....the nose instantly freezes up....I can tell of negatives now just by sniffing the air! And one more thing, everyone in Vermont needs an orange hat. That's right.....orange. We got one!

Ava turned 7 ! We celebrated both she and Giles' birthdays yesterday at LeStudio in Westminister, VT. We had a nice, quiet little dinner at diner called Father's it was a fun little evening. Later Morgan came over with kids along with the Tweksbury's - I might add Joe was in our thoughts ....he had a sleep study conducted at Dartmouth.....Don't worry, Joe, I won't add the selfies you sent of you all hooked up in the study! lol

Oh, and Gary also turned a year older.....42! We celebrated at the house with friends and good times......I got him Boston Red Sox Tickets....for all of us in May.

Pictures as of LATE:

Happy Birthday, Gary!

Brock and his friends at school after the 3 on 3 bball tournament....they tied for 1st place!

Time out for a warm, chocolate waffle.....they love these!

Birthday Boy!

At competition complex celebrating Brock's birthday with his friends.

Shane

Bryson

Colby

Brock

Ava's Birthday!!!!

~ Spring Feelin' & Snow Melt ~

Well, it's here.....well, for this week anyway.....Mud Season....and Maple Syrup makin' time! It's been an eventful week....less on the sports, but more on interpersonal levels.......

Here are some pictures of late......Birthdays, oh yes, two of them are a'comin' : Gary this Friday and Brock on Sunday! This house is full of Pisces birthday people except me....Cancer......

Today it is 54 degrees.....it's almost as it is raining from all the snow melt....and yes, there is lots of mud. I will take Vandy for a walk with Hilly, go on a run, and tend to some other business. Hope all is well.......:) Now,....where are those daffodils? I'd venture to say....April or May here in Vermont.

Mud Season 

Pictures of home....my grandmother and pa's old red barn

Our house in the snow ......papa sent......

~hope~Hope~HOPE~

Quotes on Hope struck me at church today..........let's see if they strike you :)

"When the world says Give up.....Hope whispers try it one more time"
"Out of difficulties grow miracles"
"Never lose hope you never know what tomorrow will bring"
"Even the tiniest of hopes can show me the way to arrive at my goal"
"In all things, it is better to hope than to despair"

Snowing today.......My mother just attended a funeral of a family member today.....I remember her well.... (also a cousin of ours)..she passed of cancer. Her son had just passed about a year and a half ago. Very sad. I feel so sorry for them.

Today is March 1, 2015. It is snowing as I type and so far March has been quiet. But, another snow storm (small) will come through tomorrow. Yesterday was a great day to just relax and be 'present' with the kids. We watched a movie......wait for it.......Spongebob! Yes, it was a nice day out.

Basketball has ended.....however, Joe and I take the kids (Hillary) over to the gym on Sundays to shoot and practice ball-handling skills. The boys skied today and in a bit we will have supper and they will tell us all their fun adventures! Brock forgot his poles today,,,,,so skied without them! (Like I do)......

Hillary had a 1st grade musical Wednesday night (didn't realize this was a formal event....all the little girls were dressed in dresses, but, oh, not us)......Nevertheless, it was a great performance! Also, Hillary starred in a play at church this morning (Mexico Play). She was a Bishop and a Monarch.

We thought we'd let Vandy out to chase a squirrel....he wanted to oh so bad! When he got out there....barely walk......

The play at church