Annual Late Winter Snow Report

It seems like we haven't gotten quite as much snow as we have in past years, but that doesn't mean that we don't still have PLENTY of the white stuff.  We're at 225 inches of snow so far this season, which... you know... seems about typical.  Actually, now that I check, it's nearly identical to where we were last year at this time.  But we've alternated a lot between warm and cold this winter, so we've had lots of melt off, and then replaced it with more.   Our own personal snow gauges are the hot tub, and the back porch with the door that has a full window.  As of today, snow is still pretty much up to the door-knob.  Not quite to the top of the railings, but definitely to the cover of the hot tub.  So whatever that is...

Little Flowers

Our Little Flowers group has grown and now has twelve girls from three parishes!  This is such a great group of young ladies - how I enjoy them all!!  It's the perfect "club" for us... beneficial, fun, and LOW COMMITTMENT!  How awesome is that???

For our February meeting, the girls made Valentine's cards, and then last night we took them to the Bluffs Assisted Living and the girls handed their cards out to the residents.  There were lots of smiles, lots of hugs, and I think it was a really cool thing all the way around.

This Poor Cat

A Sneak Peak

Quinn and Colby are in the school play this year.  They are working hard... their big debut approaches!  Here's a sneak peak of "The Beating Heart".

At Long Last... Winter Ski Flying

Rob has been adding new fuel tanks to his little plane, and the fact that he hasn't yet been ski flying and it's already February has been killing him.  Well, the plane is finally put back together, the weather is cooperating, and Rob took advantage.  Absolutely beautiful sunset at Gay Sands and Lac La Belle!

Feast Day Fun: Fat Tuesday

OK.  Mardi Gras isn't OFFICIALLY part of the liturgical calendar, but... you gotta do it, you know?  This is what our dinner looked like:  chocolate chip waffles, bacon, eggs and beer (for the Dad.  Not the kids).  That should hold us over for awhile, don't you think???

Burying the Alleluia

We'll sing the Alleluia again on Easter Sunday!  Time to hibernate during lent, little "Alleluia"!

Winter Carnival

February is traditionally the toughest month in these parts - full of cold and snow and dark days and we're all just DONE WITH WINTER ALREADY.  Years ago, smart people at Michigan Tech University knew this, and invented Winter Carnival, to cheer up the masses and introduce a little fun and frivolity into the year's shortest but looooooonnnnngest month.

This year, we participated by watching the Queen's coronation, attending the ice mass/chili feed, and then walking around (quickly... it's COLD!) to see the snow statues!  I say "we", but that really means "Reagan and I" for two of the three events, and "mama by herself" for the ice mass.  The men-folk are busy enjoying winter in other ways, like snowboarding and ski flying.  But us girls, we are doing up this winter carnival thing right!

Solo and Ensemble

Quinn and Colby's first year participating in the Solo and Ensemble contest.  They practiced hard and did very well!  I was proud of them - such a nerve-wracking thing playing in front of a judge!  Quinn did a trumpet solo and a duet, and got 1s on both pieces.  Colby did a four minute long drum solo and got a 2.  So fun listening to them!

Happy 81st Birthday, Grandpa Al!!