SATURDAY, IT WAS WARM...

The internet connection at our new house is not the greatest, so I have been trying to finish this post for weeks. These pics were taken on a nice warm Saturday in February. So even though it says this was posted on February 22nd, it's actually March 6th.

We woke up to unusually warm weather, so immediately it was decided we would work on the yard. First on the list, build the new Fire-pit. We took the stone from the old house (it was used as the little retaining wall around our mulch bed) to make the new pit. We also took brick and concrete blocks to create a sitting wall. The bricks were from our old Fire-pit, and the blocks were already on the property.

Just love the look of stacked stone.

The other big project was clearing and defining the path between our house and our neighbor's. The Usas' are good friends of ours, so we wanted to make getting to each other's homes easier.

Of course, while Marc and I were working, the boys were busy being boys and getting dirty.

Grey was COVERED in dirt... literally from head to toe.

Random cool pic of a pine tree's bark.

Our neighbor Bonnie got out her silver Spray paint and jazzed up a few pine cones.

The boys LOVE to visit the Usas' and play with their wheelbarrows.

Grey actually has a seed spreader. Love how this shot show's his twisted underware.

I'm always practicing my photography, but Luke's not always willing...

that's better.

Another random pic.

Trying to photograph a moving target is REALLY hard.

Grey LOVES the rocks in Jim and Bonnie's driveway.

He's working on a Rock Angel.

More practicing...

And my favorite shot of the day...

love how you can see the look of determination in his one little eye... and his dirty little hand.

This was a great day of wonderful weather, and being very productive, but something white and wet was just around the corner.

UPWARD SOCCER

Through the church that provides the pre-school program that Luke attends, they also provide the "Upward Sports" program for kids K4-6th grade. This is the first season that Luke is finally old enough to participate, so he'll start with Soccer.

Last weekend, we had to take him for evaluation. They have the kids run a few simple drills to assess their skill level to determine on which team they will be placed. First thing Luke will have to work on is his listening and focusing skills. He appears to be paying attention here, but not so much.

While Luke ran the drills, Grey was right there alongside him. He's too young to play this year, but he'll be of age next year.

With a little help from Marc, and lots of practicing, we think he'll do pretty good. But more importantly, we want him to have fun.

And speaking of help. Marc was so excited at the evaluations, that he signed up to be an Assistant Coach. He is SO looking forward to getting back into something he once so enjoyed, and to be able to share it with his son, makes it even better.

LUKE & GREY

Since moving to the cabin, I'm enjoying all the great light the house and yard has to offer for photos. I've been trying them all out.

This one wasn't really about good light, just a silly pic of Porkchop in a Fish hat.

One warm afternoon, the boys and I had a picnic in our front yard. I actually took this pic with my phone.

Can't wait to take lots more.

BEEN BUSY MOVING

So it's been a couple weeks now since we moved, and we're pretty much settled in. I know I've been pretty MIA on this blog, but I'll get back in the groove now.

Here are just a few things I love about our new casa...

the Gorgeous $10 lamp I got at a garage sale,

the great architectural detail on the corners of the cabin,

our Moose weather vane,

and the Beautiful light that fills our bedroom in the early afternoon.

More pics will be coming soon.

RANDOM STUFF

On Christmas Eve day, my kit lens for my camera stopped working. I was pretty bummed. Luckily I had my prime lens, but for all the pictures I took that weekend, I couldn't do any zooming in and out. That's why some of them are up really close. After the first of the year, I called a local camera shop to see how much it would be to clean the lens, to see if that would remedy the problem. He told me what I would need to try without having to bring it in. So I tried it, and it WORKED!! YAY!!

This was the first pic I took with my newly working kit lens.

At school, Luke is now learning how to write his last name. Here he is practicing.
This is the smile he always gives me, when he finds me staring at him.

Last night, while I was fixing dinner, Luke took a little cat nap. Don't you love the wizard hat?

CHRISTMAS DAY 2011

LOOK... they have on the same Christmas Pajamas!! YAY!!! I guess the third time is a charm.

Can you see their excitement?

They both went straight for the bikes... funny thing though... Luke went to the little bike, and Grey went to the big bike. Once we got them straightened out, I snapped these.

They dug right in to their stockings.

Both loved the Lighting McQueen Sunglasses that Santa brought.

Santa also brought a Costume Dress-Up Trunk. The Wizard Hat is a favorite.

Then it was time to open some presents.

See how little brother is checking out what big brother is doing.

Daddy got into the present opening action.

More presents... Marc was very excited to give them these.

They were pretty excited about this Thomas Train Track.

Then Daddy got his own Lincoln Logs.

He got right to building.

Grey preferred to sit in the middle of the track.

The best Surprise Gift EVER!!!! For me of course.

Sporting my new Apple Green Hunter Wellies and Winter Beanie.

Santa had these in the boys stockings.

Lately, Marc has been complaining about the fact that he has nothing that he is passionate about or a hobby. So I picked one for him...

I don't think all the gifts were even opened yet before he was online trying to learn how to play it.

Too Cool for School...

Loved riding their bikes in the house.

My Little Wizard.

After all the presents were opened and enjoyed for awhile, Marc got to work making his favorite pie from his Grandma Faucheux's recipe - Tarte Au La Bouillie. He made everything from scratch, including the crust.

It was very YUMMY!! It's a custard type pie, similar to a Sugar Cream Pie, but much much lighter. Simply Delish!!

Early in the afternoon, before dinner, we had a few visitors. Jim and Bonnie Usas came over bearing gifts. Of course, the boys insisted that they needed to opened immediately.

Before they left, Marc put on a little Harmonica Concert for them. If you can't tell, he's playing a little Blues.

We LOVE Mr. Jim and Miss Bonnie!!

Before Marc got too serious into preparing our Christmas feast (Venison Tenderloin, Mashed Potatoes, Noodles, and Green Bean Casserole), we took some family pics. These are all the silly ones...

This one would have been really cute, if Luke didn't have his finger up his nose.

That's better.

Since we kissed, the boys thought they needed to kiss too.

Too cute!

The boys were chill-axin' on their new Pillow Pets while waiting on dinner.

Luke got a Cow, and...

Grey (aka Porkchop) got a Pig, of course.

After dinner, and before it got dark, we took the boys down to the basketball courts so they could ride their bikes.

Grey needed a little help...

while Luke took off at full speed.

Note his feet are not on the pedals. He's waiting to be pushed.

Better yet, he'll just push the bike.

Luke just flew around the court.

Still pushing...

He can definitely ride like the wind, but hasn't got the hang of braking yet.

Marc and I took turns pushing Grey around.

It looks like he's getting close to getting it.

Well... maybe not.

The boys loved this puddle.

After a little while, I started complaining of being frozen, so we put away the bikes, and while I sat in the comfort of the heated truck, Marc took the boys down to the water to throw rocks. He then had the brilliant idea to feed the fish Cheezits. Of course I had to get out to take pics of this. I think this is the Perfect Picture to end a Perfect Day.

We are so blessed to have such beautiful sons.

This Christmas was really Special, but I already can't wait for next year. Maybe Grandma and Grandpa will come share it with us.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!