Snowmageden

You know that Winnie the Pooh the song  "and the rain rain rain came rushing down...".  That was pretty much our winter, except it was snow and it kept coming, especially on the Mesa.  They had record snow in January, and February this year.  It was hard to get up there and play in it, because every time we planned a trip, it would be snowing again, and the roads were not safe, or it was too cold to be fun.  When we finally did get up there the snow was deeper than I had ever seen it.  It was so deep that the cabins nearby where we sled were almost completely buried.  

Can you find the stop sign?  Dave and I cross country skied on west bench trail one day and it was so much work breaking trail in the fresh snow, but it was so beautiful! 

Spencer was trying to dig down to a log that the kids usually sit on and play around when we sled.  He was so happy when he finally found it. It was buried about 4 feet under. 

 And the snow was so fluffy and light it made for some awesome snow spray as you went down the hill.  They didn't love that.

So instead they made snow forts!  Maren invited her friend Jolene to come play with us.  It made for a fun day for both of them. 

Amanda pretty much had academic team tournaments every weekend in January and February, so she missed out on any fun in the snow.  Not that she was complaining.  She was able to move up to the  varsity team at the end of February, which she is thrilled about, as she got to travel with her team to Denver for two different tournaments, one of which they won. I had to laugh that she also did well enough at state history bowl to qualify to go to nationals, something she had never really practiced for because the times interfered with her oboe lessons.  But hey, you take what you can get, right?!?

 

Amanda's high school band also traveled to state after getting superiors in regionals.  She has a solo  in one of the pieces that really highlights her beautiful tone.  I have loved listening to her practice it at home.  They also got superiors at state.   And, yay for a band teacher that placed her in front so I could actually get pictures and videos!

We hit the slopes in March for a beautiful day of spring skiing.  The kids lasted all day this time, which was a first.  And I really was hard pressed to keep up with everyone this trip, the boys have both gotten really fast.  It is fun to all ski together since everyone can now do blue runs, we can ski as a group pretty much, minus the slow poke mom in the back.  Maybe next year we can get Amanda up there at least once with us?

Jacob and Spencer had an outdoor day event at school, and for the second year in a row Spencer won a prize. He got a pair of binoculars that he was so excited about.  He can't wait to take them on spring break with us.  The national forest service came, along with a few other agencies, and do activities and outdoor education for the kids.  It is so well done, and my kids love it.

 Spencer and Jacobs class also traveled to the fish hatchery for a field trip to learn about fish that are native to the Colorado river.  They can kiss a razerback sucker if they choose too, both boys opted to pet the fish instead.  Spencer class gets to raise 3 of these in a fish tank in the classroom, then release them in the CO river in May.  It is fun to see them learn about the area we live in and how to be stewards of the lands and water.   

When it was too cold or snowy to play outside, we discovered this rock climbing gym near our house that was a hit with the kids.   Maren, as normal, was the winner, climbing the tough stuff and making it look easy.  The boys mostly loved to boulder.

 Maren brought home a project she had made in tech ed.  It was a marble run made out of paper, and it worked pretty darn good.  She also loves math, so in honor of pie day this year she made us a pie for dessert.  It was delish!