weekending with shovels

Just when we thought all hope was lost for more snow this very mild winter... We woke up to this gorgeous Saturday morning sight.  The day before we had gone skiing in the morning and eaten lunch outside without coats in town.  The waitress at Long Board Louie's asked Wally, "Were you playing in the snow?"  Walter's matter of fact reply?  "I was skiing at Mt. Bachelor.  I do it all the time."  Ahem.  Getting used to this mountain town life I guess!   

 The boys worked out in the snow for hours.  It is a big, big job when all you have in your arsenal are sand box shovels and Daddy's avalanche shovel!  

 Today we happily endorsed our snow town existence and bought actual snow shovels.  Big improvement!  

my funny valentine's

Today was a good day.  We learned new chores, including matching socks from the clean laundry and emptying the dishwasher.  We practiced writing letters and worked on some ABC games on the computer.  We went swimming at the community pool.  We had dinosaur shaped PB&J sandwiches and everyone had a nap.  We went to barre3 in the afternoon.  (Barre3 was having a special couple's Valentine class later on and part of their set up for the party included chocolate dipped strawberries.  These really caught the boys' eye.)  We headed to Safeway and picked up strawberries and chocolate chips.  Our Valentine's Day treat.  

weekend with friends

Such a great weekend with friends, Brian and his nephew Trey!  Poor things, it was utter drama getting them here, the travel was a complete mess due to freezing fog and mechanical failures.  Once we got them safely to Bend, we thoroughly enjoyed their company.  Skiing, snowboarding, pizza, cocktails and mocktails, walks on the river...perfect.  Wally and Fritz were (of course) entirely smitten with Trey and followed him around all weekend and he didn't disappoint as a fantastic big kid buddy.  Old friends and new friends.  The best.  

polar bear plunge

Last weekend we went for a snow hike at the Fall River.  This is a spot we have loved for many years and now it is just a quick 15 minute drive away.  We had a lovely time, soaking in the natural beauty, adventuring, climbing, hiking, and swimming.  That's right, swimming!  Ok, not all of us, but our fearless Tana is always up for a polar bear plunge.  Happiest.  Dog.  Ever.  

what?

What I saw in the rear view mirror the other day.  Wacky, weird, and completely not safe...  boys.

snapshot of a proud daddy

@ Mt. Bachelor with two independently skiing sons.  Summit was open and the boys were desperate to try it out....and so they had their first official run down from the top of the mountain.  

new exhibit

We enjoyed a great new exhibit at the High Dessert Museum on a play date last week with our buddy Nolan.  The giant African tortoises were amazing!