Snow Day!!!

The kiddos had a planned snow day today. Yes. Even homeschool families love and take adavantage of snow days. Our goal: to do only those things we deemed fun. The only caveat: we had to clean up after our messes, feed the animals and wash sheets. It started with Krispy Kreme doughnuts. We moved quickly to cutting out snowflakes. Then they decided they wanted to go sledding which quickly became, "Hey, mom, will you pull us on the four-wheeler?" That definitely sounded like fun so I jumped on board.

Next on the agenda was building a ginger bread house.

Complete with Santa on the roof, snowmen on the lawn and a goat they found in their toy box.

We did some more "sledding" via the ATV until we destroyed their sled. We played Life and Mexican train (dominoes), sat around the fire, had cocoa and generally enjoyed our day. Yes. The house needs to be picked up and there are dishes in the sink ready to be washed. But I must say, all in all, it was a fun, relaxing, non-schooling snow day with my kiddos. The BEST!



Colorado snow

I love Colorado snow. I woke up to a few inches of snow this morning and as I headed out to feed the horses, I grabbed a snow shovel but quickly realized it was as soft as baby powder; so I grabbed the broom and swept it away, instead! So much easier! The snow covers over everything and makes it all new again. And an hour later the sun was up and reflected on the trees so beautifully. There isn't a camera in the world that can grasp that kind of beauty.

Alice in Vail-land

We met up with some of the "cousins" in Vail. They were in for the week for their annual ski club trip.  We wanted to go up and ski for the day, but the ski conditions were sub-par, we were just getting over an exhausting week with the flu and we ended up only having a few hours before we had to get back and get ready for school and work the next day. Bummer! Maybe next time, guys! Next year we'll be prepared ...we're planning on making a week of it next year in Steamboat Springs! We did eat some yummy fajitas by Chef Alice and Chef Doug and then jumped on the Vail Gondola and headed up the mountain. We laughed at all the crazies heading down the mountain in the dark on ski bikes and all secretly wished we could try it, if only just once! We found an awesome fire ring outside one of the restaurants and sat around and talked and laughed a while. We love you guys and wish we could get together more often! See you in April!

Digging out

Well, we ended up with about 3 1/2 feet of snow. We did end up strapping on the ole snowshoes and heading out on a search and rescue mission for MacGyver. I forgot he always has his trusty stead, Tank, in tow. I'm so glad he can take him to work! What was I thinking? We met him about halfway. He was snowshoeing back up to the cabin, too! The boys went out later to try and dig the Jeep out and was finally able to get it home. We were able to get to the Bobcat and spent the rest of the day clearing the rest of our road. Can you say FUN? He cleared most of the road to the nun retreat but didn't even attempt to go up the hill to the monk hermitage (monkey village, the kids call it), but at least we can get in and out now! Forget the "by hand" theory. You can clear snow in a tenth of the time with the Bobcat...if only we could find those missing chains! We'll have to wait until next week when the snow melts off. It's going to be back in the 60s! Woohoo!

Fall 2009 - First Big Snow

I've heard we have about 3 feet of snow. I believe it. I stopped counting at about 27 inches. When I went out to feed the horses last night, I had to traipse through knee deep snow. That was about 5:00 last night. We've been getting about an inch an hour and it snowed all through the night. I will have to shovel the front and back doors to get them all the way open, and will have to make another path to get to the horses and their hay. Luckily, Ike LOVES the snow and LOVES to shovel (and sled) through it. Now the trouble will be getting MacGyver home. He's coming off shift this morning and will have to chain up to get up our driveway. I pray he doesn't roll off the side. It can get pretty hairy when it is snowy or muddy. It might be mid-morning before I see him. I'm considering strapping on the ole snowshoes and meeting him at the end of our road and at least make an attempt to help. I don't think I can shovel 3 feet of snow 1/2 mile by hand, but I can at least hit the most treacherous spots. Maybe he can get to the bobcat. For now, the wood-burning stove is roaring and crackling, the coffee is hot, the butternut squash bread is warming in the oven and I've just finished doing my morning devotions, all before 7:00. Now I'll have enough time to get ready for school and feed the animals before the kiddos wake up!

Scenic pix

Coming up our driveway with snow and frost covering the trees. It's hard to make out but the sun is setting and illuminating the top edge of the trees. I love living here...it is so peaceful and beautiful!

Snow!?

We got snow today for the first time this year. It looks like when it is all said and done we will have about an inch of snow. And the trees just started turning yellow a week ago! What is up with that? It's about 39 degrees and we have a fire going. It is getting a little too toasty in the cabin, now. That bodes well for a nice, warm winter! All we need now is a hot cup of cocoa! We just put up the kids' new bunkbed and you would think it was Christmas! They are BEYOND excited! Maybe they are just glad they don't have to sleep with the snake, anymore! HA!