winter is baaaacccccckkkkk

We've been having storms lately, about three inches of very wet snow the other day, which subsequently melted. Right now it's snowing (hard to tell from picture), but it's coming down heavy with lots of wind. The power was out this morning for about a half hour, but came back on just minutes before it was time to wake up the boys. When I drove Victor to school, just going a block or two south we ran into a powerless area. No lights were on at the school. I wonder how long they'll keep the students at the school before calling it a day and sending them home?

As you can see from the picture, R's car is parked in the driveway--two reasons: First, we're starting to fill up the garage w/stuff from downstairs in preparation for the basement work and second because R decided to call and get a ride to Heber this morning from his friend who has four-wheel drive. Good choice!!! The mountains may get up to a foot today.

I may take another picture once it stops snowing to record the final result, although we're only supposed to get a couple inches down here in the valley.

Jared is going up to the Brighton area after school to dig snow caves. The Scouts go up one night and dig tunnels and holes in the snow. I understand that it's quite a calorie-burning endeavor. The boys then return the next night and sleep in them. Even R tells me that there are many positives to sleeping in a snow cave. This will be the first year that V isn't going, and this is his favorite scout activity. He's leaving tomorrow for a basketball tourney in Boise Friday and Saturday--thank goodness there's no school tomorrow. R lucked out, as no Priests are going this year and he's headed tomorrow to Phoenix for some sunshine and green golf courses. With the Priests holding down jobs or out of town for the choir tour and the Deacons and Teachers playing in the snow, I wonder which Scouts will be around Saturday morning to collect the bags for the yearly food drive. hmmm??

Helloooooooo Spring--

It's the first day of spring, so why are you young men in the house and not outside playing? It's absolutely gorgeous outside, like 69 degrees. I have the windows open. We'd better enjoy 'cause in a couple days there's going to be rain and maybe even a snow flake or two. Tony went with his friend, Derek, to St. George last night to spend a couple days on R&R. They're staying at Uncle Efrain's house.

We're signing papers tonight on our refinance and the road to moving forward on the basement finishing. I've been slowly (not fast enough for R) working on boxing up my stuff downstairs and Victor has been hauling out boxes to the garage. I get my own play room downstairs. Yesssss!!

A Major Award!

That'a boy Jared. Each month Jared's middle school recognizes one boy and one girl from each grade. Jared was chosen to represent the 7th grade for March. In addition to a plaque, he was given a letter written from three teachers, plus he got to invite his family to join him in a breakfast prior to school. Keep up the good work. It was Jared's attitude that snagged him this award.

Called To Serve

My parents called Monday to say that they've accepted a six-month mission call and it's looking about 90% sure that they'll go to Cove Fort, a former Mormon settlement just off I-15 north of Beaver, Utah. They're hustling to get things squared away in Arizona and will hopefully be headed up this way next week. They have 30 days to prep, which isn't much time when they have to do all the paperwork including medical and shop and buy a trailer. They had a trailer but sold it a few years ago. My mom wasn't ready to come home yet, as it's still cold here. In fact, it snowed yesterday a couple inches and it's cold (22 degrees when I drove the boys to school earlier) and the snow is frozen to the ground. It was treacherous driving yesterday, so I was relieved when R made it to Heber okay. A few weeks ago he had a little mishap coming home and we just got the car back from the body repair shop last week.

Spring in the Rockies

You gotta love spring, which I understand is right around the corner. There are a few bulbs poking out of the ground and it has been really warm lately. In fact, just two days before this picture we had a record 69 degrees for that date, but behold the winds kicked in last night (in fact, we had a power outage for an hour or so) and then the rain came which turned to snow as the temperature dropped. This morning was calm and beautiful with blue skies. It's a bit chilly outside still this afternoon, but most of the snow has melted, except in the shady areas.

Tony's Newest Acquisition

A couple weeks Tony purchased this truck for $500 from a friend at work. The first day he drove it to school, I said "hope this hunk of junk" gets you there okay, and then I felt bad and apologized later. Tony agreed that it's not much, but he figures that if he can just get through the summer with it then he has gotten his money's worth. I hope he gets through the summer and then some.

I've been meaning to get a picture w/Tony and his truck, but every time I think about it (when the two of them are home), it's later and too dark for the picture, or else .... Anyway, I drove J and V to school this morning and was loving the new snow fall and blue skies, which reminded me of my camera, which reminded me of the truck--unfortunately, T was still asleep and there was nooooo way I was going to wake him up for a picture. Good job Tony for saving and getting yourself a truck, plus saving me lots of trips to take him to school and pick him up. That part I like.

Jared Finishes the Season (BB)

Jared has been playing Jr. Jazz basketball for the past two months and yesterday was his last game of the season (oops, I just remembered that he has another game, I think?). Anyway, the season is almost over, although he does get to go to the Jazz game in a couple weeks. He likes the game (doesn't necessarily love it), but thinks it will be fun next year when he's old enough to play church ball and play on the same team with his older brother.

Such a gentle soul, on and off the course. Gotta love him.