nap time

I tried to get Drew to take a nap for 1 1/2 hours. He was exhausted but he won and I let him get up. He played for another couple of hours and then sat down on the couch to read while I made dinner.

The next day when he started playing with blankets around nap time I just handed him his book. I am getting smarter all the time!

weekend ski

We cross country skied at the golf course this weekend. It was great! I think that when we are no longer pulling kids in our chariot I am going to start skate skiing. It looks fantastic.

where are they?

Behind the couch of course!

Neil can too

In a late response to Michelle- yes Neil can scoot down the stairs too.

pre-run fun

Every morning I take the kids running with me. The temperature is usually between 5-20 degrees. I bundle them in their snow clothes and blankets and snuggle them in our enclosed chariot stroller. One of their favorite pre-run traditions is to slide down the stairs in their slippery snow clothes. Here it is.

Dinner Delights

I love to create yummy food for my family. Here are a few things we had to eat this weekend.

multi-tasking

Today while I was cleaning the tub Neil climbed up next to me, leaned over, and put his head under the running shower head. I never knew cleaning the bathroom and the kids at the same time could be so easy or so fun!

Happy Birthday!

My mom's birthday was Feb. 3. The boys wished her a happy birthday by singing her a song. However, this version was too long to email so here it is Mom.
And speaking of birthday's- these collaspable buckets are part of a wonderful NRS gift certificate Keith received. They will be great for washing dishes on the river. Thanks Mom!

Preparing for Spring

I just ordered my onion starts and seeds for spring planting. I am so excited for this year's garden! Last year I waited too long and the seed that I most wanted was gone. So this year I am getting a jump on things and I have found some wonderful seed distributors.

Walla Walla onions from http://dixondalefarms.com/. This great company tells you what onions will do best in your area as well as what each onion is best used for. They also ship them to you just when you want to plant. I will be using the Walla Walla's as soon as they are ripe for bottling salsa, spaghetti sauce, zucchini relish, and many wonderful vegetable based soups. I can hardly wait!

Copra onions from http://dixondalefarms.com/. The copra onion is a great storage onion. I will hope to dry and store these all winter for all my cooking needs.

Sugar Buns corn from http://johnnyseeds.com/. This corn variety is exceptional! There was a nursery here in town that used to carry it but it is now closed. I found it again at Johnny seeds and at a great price. If you like to grow sweet corn you have to try this out! (check to make sure it is suited to your climate) We will be gorging ourselves all summer and freezing the rest to enjoy all winter.

I also purchased green bean, carrot, beet, zucchini, and pickling cucumber seeds from http://parkseed.com/. They seemed to have the best selection of the varieties I wanted. I am waiting and hoping to get cheap potato seed from neighbor farmers this spring as well as some tomato plants. Let me know if you have any other wonderful garden seed ideas or information. Here's to spring!

Beautiful Winter Weekends

We have been enjoying warm sunny weekends cross country skiing in the Tetons and at our local golf course. What a beautiful winter we are having! Just enough snow and warmth to make every weekend one of great family fun!