The Giving Tree

This the season to prepare for next winter. Most days that we set aside to bring in firewood we can cut and stack 2-3 trees in one morning. These past two weeks we have spent 2-3 days on the same tree! It is an 80 year old tree with a very big trunk as you can see from Makayla and Mindy sitting on them. We got almost an entire chord from that one tree alone (we burn 10-12 chord of wood per year to heat our house and hot water in the winter). It reminded me of a book that was read to us in elementary school called the Giving Tree. It was about a tree and how it gives and gives it's entire life, even in death it was able to give (firewood). :-)





Makayla counted down and finally celebrated her 6 year old birthday on the 13th. She is very excited to be able to say that she is six (up until a month ago her "six" sounded like "sick").

Have a great week!

humming girl, whistling/singing girl

Ben enjoyed playing outside in the nice weather

We had a great spring break this week! It started out with Barry and me going skiing on Monday morning. Toyota sponsors a ski free week for spring break, which is also the last week that the ski hill is open. Even though this was Barry's second time on the hill, he has shown much improvement.

Tuesday was spent touch up painting on the house (something that we have said we would do ever since we moved in over two years ago). We gave everyone (including Ben) a paintbrush and some paint (scary) and assigned out different rooms throughout the house. Amazingly there were no spills. :-)

Wednesday Maddy had a babysitting job, so Barry stayed home with the kids while I took Mackensey up to the ski hill. In her beginning ski class they had not gone up to the top and she wanted to do that. I was wondering if she would be scared, but stopped worrying about it when I heard her humming behind me as she followed my down the mountain. If the humming stopped I would turn around and wait for her...that usually meant that she fell down.

Thursday we planted the cool weather crops in our garden. With me supervising, the children worked fast and we got it done quickly. I left for a few minutes to put the baby down for a nap, and when I returned Mindy and Makayla had finished their rows of broccoli and carrot seeds by sprinkling them on top of the dirt. This will be fun to watch what and where (and if) these plants come up!

Friday Maddy babysat while Barry and I took Mindy skiing (Maddy had gone snowboarding with a friend on Thursday). As Mindy followed my down the mountain I heard whistling and singing. I am just amazed at how relaxed these girls are while skiing. My first few times I was holding my breath! The second time down Mindy was in the lead. She skied "french fry" (parallel) until she wanted to slow down, then "pizza" (snow plow). No wonder the kids are hungry after skiing lessons, if that is how they teach them!

Saturday we cut wood in the morning, then Barry and I went to Colville for a date in the evening.

Now it's time to return to regular schedule. Have a great week!

Parthenon, Plantaion, Play



Marianne playing in the Spokane airport





This week started with Marianne and me flying to Tennesee. My parents met us at the airport and we spent the night in Nashville. Anita and Jamie picked us up Tuesday morning and we toured the Parthenon replica in Nashville, the Grand Ole Opry and Opry Hotel and stopped at the temple. Then we drove down to Spring Hill. 

Wednesday was a quiet day at home with the family, then Thrusday we toured Carnton Plantation which was involved in a civil war battle and became a make-shift hopital for 9 months of the war.

In the evenings I helped my neice Brooklyn sew an apron. She picked up on sewing quickly, and will enjoy the sewing machine that her mom got for her late birthday present.

My flight back on Friday was crazy. Boarded the plane, they closed the door, they gave the safety speal, they openend the door...maintainance delay 45 min. Optionaly unboarding. I left the plane to change a diaper and let Marianne walk around. Reboard plane, reclose door, re-do safety instructions. Pull away from the gate, wait and wait, another wait while maintainance checks out second engine. Finally leave 1 1/2 hrs late. Missed connecting flight by 45 minutes. 4 hr flight, Marianne does amazingly well. Get off plane and check departure schedule. My flight is now boarding! Run to gate and board. Still don't know why second flight delayed, but I arrived home safe and sound.

Before my trip I was a little anxious about traveling with a one year old, especially being on an airplane- what if she fussed, etc etc. I prayed that wherever I sat (Southwest has open seating) I would be next to nice people who liked children. I was blessed with that on all four of our flights, and Marianne wasn't fussy at all. I spent most of the time feeding her gummy fruit snacks, so by the last flight home she was a little hyper and spaztic! We were sitting next to two 10 year old girls who were friends from school. They, along with Marianne were giggling and having a grand ole time! :-)

BTW, the day after my flight another SW plane, shortly after take-off had a piece rip off, oxygen masks come down and emergency landing. This maintainance problem caused 300 planes with similar conditions be grounded for the next two days. I'm so glad I left when I did!

Barry and the kids had a busy week at home while I was gone. Barry did an amazing job juggling his business, homeschooling the girls, and getting Maddy to and from all of her dress rehearsals for the play this weekend. I came home to a clean house and happy children.

On Saturday we went to a memorial for Barry's grandma which was a very full day. We went to Maddy's play in the evening. Good thing next week is Spring break from school.

Have a great week!