Viva Las Vegas

Last week Terry went to Las Vegas for a trade show with his dad as he has done for the last two years.  Generally I have a project planned to do while he is gone but, this year was different.  We have a project planned that I could not do without him so I worked instead!  This was much to Terry's relief because he gets a bit stressed wondering what room I am painting, etc. while he is gone! 



Terry had told me to search online to find their pictures that were taken.  Honestly, the kids and I searched through ALL the pictures and STILL didn't find theirs.  When he brought the hard copy home, I did remember seeing these....just didn't recognize them! 



While they were gone the weather here in WI turned bitter cold.  Much too cold for Jake to be outside in his kennel and too cold for the unheated porch so we moved his crate in the house.  He really enjoyed the warmth and did very well inside.  Sadly, on Friday he got very sick & needed to be carried outside to do his "business", didn't eat or drink.....just slept around the clock.  Since then, he has gotten better after a few days of aspirin b/c we determined he was in a lot of pain from his joints.  He has been doing better each day now so we hope it continues. 

A Night Out on Snow

Auntie Kayla and Uncle Levi joined Trevor and Erin out at Nordic Mountain. Erin met up with a friend from school for awhile before finishing up the night with Auntie Kayla while Trevor and Uncle Levi went down some of the larger slopes. At the end, Trevor came down one of the runs and wiped out. Following right after was Levi, who tried to make a tight turn and......yep! Levi went down, skis went flying and snow went everywhere! Sadly, though, the camera wasn't poised for action so that moment was missed.

Bloom where you are planted......

Terry's mom has had a habiscus plant in the house for several years. Periodically it gets a "hair cut" when it reaches the ceiling so she decided to try to start another plant. After several attempts, this is the only one that actually grew. It is scarey to think that she is trusting me to grow this plant so I hope I don't disappoint her. Since this bloom there has been one more and a third is on the way.

Outdoor Adventures in Eagle River

It was finally their turn to head out to Eagle River for 3 days/2 nights of outdoor adventures with 52 other 4th grade students. They left about noon on Wednesday and arrived back home on Friday at 4:30 pm. Needless to say, after going to bed at 10:00 pm & getting up at 6:00 for breakfast, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, learning outdoor skills, etc., they were completely exhausted when they got home. I applaud the teachers that organize and chaperone this trip - What an awesome group of teachers!

Rest and Relaxation

We joined my aunt and her family at Great Wolf Lodge overnight during our Holiday break. It had been about three years since we were last together in the Dells so it was fun to be there again and just enjoy a bit of R&R. Thanks for the invite, Aunt Janna. What a splashin' good time!

Frosty came to visit.....

but, due to the lack of snowfall in Wisconsin at that time, he was in the form of preztel rods! These little fellas were so cute and fun to make.

Sounds of the Season

The 7th grade band broke off into groups and played in several of the elementary school classrooms prior to winter break.  The Madrigal Ensemble also sang around the elementary school classrooms.  It was a good opportunity and they enjoyed playing/singing. 

The meaning of the holiday......

This year was the first winter holiday concert at the girls' new school. They did a program with the focus being jazz styled music which made it a lot of fun to perform. Incorporated into the program, the teacher gave the students an opportunity to write down what Christmas means to them and Erin was chosen to be one of the students to share her feelings of what it means to her.

Another first for them, was performing with the Cougar Choir. This is a group of 4th and 5th grade students that have elected to give up two recesses per week to practice the music selections that had been chosen. They will perform again at the spring concert as well. There is just something about music.....!

A Season Pass to......

Anyone who skis or snowboards knows that the cost can quickly add up every time you hit the trails. This year, after much consideration, we decided to do a season pass for Trevor and Erin to our local ski hill. Wouldn't you know, this would be the year that we aren't getting much in the way of snow! Thankfully, they do make snow out there, so we have already gone four times this winter with our goal being getting them out there at least 10 times. These pictures were taken the first time out.....with the temps hitting 40* that day.
We bought Erin a pair of used skis at a ski swap back in October and she is renting the same pair of boots all season so she has been enjoying using the same equipment every time we head out. They are both doing very well out there.....while I hold a table in the warming house!