Another game and tree trimming

Throughout the last couple of weeks, we've been watching the guys from Lucas Tree cutting off all the branches that overhang the electrical wires running up and down the road. We love to see them come along, because not having branches near the wires keeps us from losing our electricity during winter storms. But, one of our greatest worries right along has been the wires up our driveway. Friday morning, one of the workers walked up to the house to apologize for the inconvenience, but they were going to have to cut down/trim the trees along our driveway. He was a bit taken aback when I said, "Yay!" (I just wished that I could ask them to completely clear the sides of our driveway!) The only catch was that they had to wait a half hour or so, 'cause I needed to take the boys to school. It took them a couple of hours, but they did a great job clearing and now we can see even more of that beautiful stone wall that we have been slowly clearing. 2 of the trees that they did have to take down, happened to have electric fence insulators in them. They cut just above them, leaving tall stumps for fenceposts, and a stack of firewood. Even better! That'll keep us warm for a while...

Yesterday morning the boys had another basketball game. They played much better this time and the teams were pretty evenly matched. The boys played really hard and had a fun time!

Yesterday morning, Dad sold the snowmobiles. It was hard for him, but we just haven't ridden them at all this year, and we don't anticipate having the time later on this season. If we do, we can always rent machines and not have to store, register them or maintain them. At this point, we decided that it would be wiser to have the money in the bank.

January News

Just in case you were wondering, I haven't been posting much because we have been keeping very, very busy! January has been a very snowy month, and a month for major changes in our lives. Namely, I got a job! The strange part is that I don't actually start working until February. So, even though I have made this big, life-altering decision to return to the work-force after 10 years of staying at home, nothing has really changed! And, I'm a bit stressed about it since I'd really like to get started with this new routine. I'm not sure when I'm going to have time to work, and do all the other things that I usually do, but I am very much looking forward to the job. Last week I was extremely busy getting ready for the Horsemen's Conference. It went well and was a fun day spent talking about horses.

We've been trying to get out and enjoy the snow as much as possible. Although sub-zero temperatures have kept us indoors quite a lot. Here is a series of photos of the boys trying to down-hill ski on their cross-country skiis! Too funny!!

The latest portraits of Haley...

...and Daisy.

Daisy thinks that snow is the best thing ever! It doesn't slow her down a bit...

...she rolls in it...


...plows through the deepest drifts with a big 'ol grin on her face...

and, of course, it tastes great!

Look at how rough they still play! I know it looks vicious, but they're having a great time...


Piggie is getting really, really big. He's still very friendly and loves to play with the boys. He comes running whenever someone drives into the yard, hoping that they will come visit with him. It's funny to watch him trying to attract the dogs', or the geese's attention, in the hopes that they might come play with him...

The boys have played in 2 basketball games so far. They have learned so much already it is incredible! But, they have lots more to learn. They're having fun though, and that's what is most important!!

The boys have also been helping Dad to split and stack firewood...

New England Aquarium

On Monday we took the boys down to the New England Aquarium in Boston, Massachusetts. It was an awesome trip! We met my brother and his family and we all had an absolute ball together. Our oldest thought the seals were the best part of the day. Our youngest loved watching the electric eel killing and eating its prey. To each his own, I guess. My favorite were the penguins and Dad's favorite was a huge school of fish.

We rode the subway into the city, which was an exciting new adventure for the boys. They thought it was amazing. I didn't think it was so amazing when we got onto the train to leave the city, along with about a million other people - it was standing room only and I'm not that comfortable in a crowd. Oh well.

We left the aquarium and walked a couple of blocks to Panera Bread for lunch - it was super yummy! We were actually looking for a Subway sandwich shop, so Dad popped his head into a Dunkin' Donuts and asked where 'Subway' was. The guy gestured down the street, so we headed off. A block or two later, when we still couldn't see any sign of the restaurant, my nephew commented that maybe the guy thought we wanted directions to the subway! It was hysterical because he was right, that's probably exactly what that guy thought, 'cause that was where he sent us!!