Subject title because I have been sifting through and backing up and deleting pictures, and I came across Ricky's death day; the day she gave her life for you. I just love that little bug... but now I love Rocky even more, because he can get you up the street on snow weeks like this one! AND ALSO subject title because Carlie was driving Rocky since her car is scheduled for the shop on Thursday, and she got pulled over for expired registration... oops! We stuck Rocky on the insurance, but didn't register him!
Ok, last week I forgot to put this pic of Marky seeing her cupcakes for the first time... I'm so glad I made those! Arianny had chosen angel food cake with berries, but they were combining their bdays, and little girls need pearly stuff on bright colored frosting. =)
And here's the pic we sent on Hangout of Rocky stuck in the drifts. =)
And Daddy digging everyone out of the driveway. The front door drifts were awesome. =)
But the kids played in the blizzard all day - Presidents' Day, no school. By that afternoon, the wind calmed down a little, and we were able to take some pictures of them. I'm pretty sure, not kidding, that the twins spent at least 5 hours out in the blizzard.
And your little dog braving the snow and wind to come out and see everyone. =)
Dad had a couple amazing days of skiing again. Captain Ice Beard:
And Tuesday, we took Xena to get spayed... what cat, after major surgery, comes home, wobbles around for a few minutes because of the anesthesia, and then POUNCES AROUND THE HOUSE like nothing happened? I kept waiting for the moroseness to set in... like sad, tired, achy, taking long naps. Nothing. Just curiosity and happiness. She is a Warrior Princess, just like her name.
Tuesday and Wednesday nights, Morgan had Tournament games. They won the first one, and lost the second one. So now they'll play next week to see how far they go. It's been such a great season. I'll be sad to have it over. =(
Wednesday, we did sledding for Activity Days. The girls kept trying the snow surfing with Talia.
I think they're getting pretty good... but they did keep ending up like this, giggling the whole time. =)
Thursday, I went out to lunch with the Village girls (& Azia). Since Jasmine was here dropping off Emmy at the MTC (!!!), we got together. All their kids remember you... vaguely, just like you, but they do.
That night, we went out with Tracy while she was here for her music training. Carlie got to come with us to Tsunami for her excellence in grades. It was, of course, yummier than heck.
Friday night, Braiden Strickland knocked on the door carrying Mason, and asking if Dad was home. I thought he was hurt, but he had just gotten their Razor stuck in the park while trying to sled with Ammon & Mason. He left Mason with us while he took some shovels and went to dig it out. I was so proud of H&K. They left their friend watching a movie in the LR, and came in with me and entertained Mason with dramatizations of some of the Storytelling Festival stories they heard at school. He had the biggest smile on his face, and he was so animated. I could tell they made him feel so happy and important. I didn't take a picture of him.
But I did take a picture of these FRIENDS. They tumble all over the house together. As soon as Xena loses her claws, they will be even better friends. One surgery at a time.
This is how Sterling sees Xena, most of the time. She is always hunched down with her ears flat, waiting to pounce on him. She stalks him; he loves it. He wakes up and walks around looking for her, sometimes meowing for her.
This popped up that night:
And I have to say that this might be the coolest news ever. Way to go, USA!!! So proud that we took gold in CURLING. Hahahahahah!!!!
Ok, speaking of Olympics, we've been watching a little this week, but my cousin Eric got named to the World Archery Para Committee. He is accomplishing so much IN HIS SPARE TIME. HS Physics teacher full time.
I feel like a failure compared to my cousins... because then Saturday, THIS HAPPENED. I'm so proud.
My cousin Ryan Melzer (Rachel's brother) has been training to run the Phoenix Marathon, and qualify for the Boston Marathon WHILE PUSHING HIS FRIEND DAYTON. And they did it.
This is what Dayton, who has cerebral palsy, had to say about it:
I am related to some of the planet's best people, and so are you. This is Ryan's family. It's not like he has nothing going on in his life. He has his full time job, and then he has 2 sets of twins, a Navajo son, and 2 Navajo foster kids. I'm still overwhelmed at how much they accomplish. Good, good, good genes, Kiddo.
Here's my comment on their post:
Saturday, my day seemed so great. I went to my workout, and it wasn't hard to breathe; I didn't feel any sickness whatsoever. But somehow that evening and into the night, I decided to come down with, I think, the flu. I woke up Sunday morning ready to just about die, and it lasted all day. No one was in the library at church, so Dad covered for half of it for me well, it wasn't my week, but no one came)... And the whole family went to Grandma Levie's house without me for dinner!!! I was really looking forward to going to my parent's house now that they live here!!! Dang. It.
Ok let's see what memes we've got here. How about some for fitness & nutrition. Haha!
And:
I wish I had some intense words of wisdom. We are reading King Benjamin's address, and picking it apart... we're learning that no matter what we do, we cannot pay back what Heavenly Father has done for us, so we shouldn't ever think that we've "earned" the blessings He gives us. He's being benevolent just by lending us breath every hour, and allowing us to have this chance to be here and prove ourselves worthy to be in His presence for eternity. If we do any good thing, He immediately blesses our lives, so He is always one up on us. What a great feeling.
Can't wait to talk to you!! Love, Mom
