Snow day Shreddin'!!

12 inches of new snow + no school + hyper children = a backyard full of gnarly shred heads!!



In one totally trippendicular move, J-boy collides with the very sickly apple tree.
Between the deer and the children, I'm afraid that this poor apple tree will never experience it's full potential.
In fact, I think it's time to say our goodbyes now.



Can you spy the backseat driver?



Yep, these two are a dangerous duo.



Speaking of dangerous... my photo taking abilities in snow.
Null.and.void.



Here's the "Mac Daddy" tearing up our hill.



He pretty much rocks I tell ya.
He's out there, in the balmy 10 degree air, having a grand old time.
Yes, I happen to be standing on our back deck.
It was necessary for me to stay inside and "tend the fire" and prepare the hot chocolate.
Only so that the children would be toasty warm upon re-entry.



This little peanut refuses to be left behind.
Have I mentioned he's 2 going on 8!!
Phrases like "That's Awesoooome", "Suh-weet" and  "Oh Yeah, Baby" are some of his favorites.
His kindly, and not overly cautious father even allowed him to try S-girl's snowboard at one point.
I cringed and covered my eyes.
He's getting way too big for his britches.



And look who else is getting way to big for her britches!
Make it stop...please!!

Got Cute?

We do!


We've got all kinds of cute going on around these parts!


Meet Dixie.


She's like a walking piece of chocolatey deliciousness.


Eye Candy!


The pets with senority are taking her in stride.


She deeply appreciates our propensity for large sinks.


And the humans in the family are smitten.


Because what human wouldn't be smitten with a face like this?!


That and the fact that she has a new, soft, fleecy bed.


What small human wouldn't be smitten with that?!


At this point Dixie hadn't mistaken S-girl's foot for a chew toy so all was well with the world.


Speaking of smitten....the elders in the family are slightly less smitten.
Or better yet...annoyed.
Because when you are 98 dog years old...the patience wanes.

But we are hoping that Dixie will bring a little "spark" to Jake's final days.
And possibly lengthen them?
A family can hope, right?


The Elmo chair is a hit, as per usual.
I spy with my little eye a pair of S-girl's underwear tucked away for a little "snack" after a long winter's nap.


Where's Waldo?

Stop!  I can't take any more cute.  It's much too much!!




And all of this has got me wondering.... why we didn't purchase one of these years ago.



Think of all of the toilet fiascoes that could have been avoided!
Dixie isn't thrilled.
But my children?
Well, they've spent the better part of the day chillin' in the crate.
Who knew sitting in a cage would be so entertaining?
Hmmm...maybe we are on to something here!

The title of my new book will be as follows:

Crate Training Your Children-What Took Us So long?