Memorable Moments of February

Here we are, almost at the end of February.  It's been crazy busy just with every day life around here....I'm sure you all can relate.

We are at the beginning of "Spring Training" with Bryce's little league team.  I am looking more forward to his Opening Day than I am to the MLB Opening Day.  Only two more years in little league for him and I'm going to cherish every game.  Paige is starting up with softball again as well, so from here on out, every night will be filled.

We were able to pull Dominic away from the ranch for a few days to head up to Lake Tahoe for Ski Week.  Both of the kids' schools have a week off in February every year which makes for a perfect opportunity to head up to the snow for some skiing if there is snow.  This year there was plenty of snow.

Boreal Mountain.....

The view from Incline Village....

No matter how fun a get away vacation is, it always feels good to come back to the ranch.  Especially with these two waiting anxiously for our return...

I don't think I've yet introduced Chipper to you.  He was Bryce's birthday present.  He really wanted a hunting dog.  So Chipper, the Beagle Terrier cross came to live with us at the tender age of 8 weeks old last September.

I must share with you......Chipper is the most intelligent pup.  He is SO smart that he created his own doggie door......

 In our screen door.......

Chloe refuses to use it....she's such a DIVA. 

We're definitely looking forward to the end of the "puppy stage".  It's costing us for sure.  I won't even show you the photo of our coffee table.....

I'm not sure how much of a "hunting dog" Chipper will be.  He's more of a big lap dog right now.

No worries, Chipper.  We still love you.

What's not to love?!

The month of February is short, maybe that's why it becomes so busy for many of us.  A few of the other things we've been doing include.....

The Darling Daughter Daddy Dance at Paige's school......

The annual Marin County Farm Bureau Dinner with this year's honors going to Marin Organic receiving the "Friend of Farm Bureau" award.

Also honoring John Zimmerman, DVM, and awarding him the "Lifetime Achievement Award".

We also had time to celebrate some birthdays this month.  

Dancing Queens....

Do a little wine tasting in beautiful Sonoma....

And catch some gorgeous sunrises......

Oh yeah, just one more little tidbit.  Dominic is running for Marin County Supervisor, District 4.  We (mostly him) have been a tad bit busy with that new endeavor as well.  If interested you can read all about it on his Facebook page....

Grossi for Supervisor

....where there are links to articles and his website.

To close out February, we have a few more events to attend.  Definitely looking forward to March and more spring-like weather.

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Recipe for a Wet Woody

Summer is coming to a close, fast.  Before having kids and marriage, I used to spend many of my summer weekends in the Lake Tahoe/Truckee area, where I owned a cabin.  I could have easily moved up there full time.....if it weren't for all that snow to contend with during the winter months, I probably would have.

A favorite memory from that time in my life and one I'm thinking of today for some reason, is hanging out on the patio at Gar Wood's on the west shore of Lake Tahoe.  After a long day of boating, hiking or just beaching it, a Wet Woody,  signature drink of Gar Wood's,  goes down really smooth.....too smooth sometimes and is quite refreshing.  I can just visualize myself taking in the beautiful scenery of the deep blue, crystal clear lake surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountain range while slowly sipping on a Wet Woody.

Today's 'Best of the Web' is all about the Wet Woody.

I know I have many pics of the Wet Woody's I've consumed in my time {which I cannot find at the moment}, so this one is from Google image.

Recipe for a Wet Woody

Ingredients:

Light Rum
Bacardi 151
Peach Schnapps 
{all about equal parts}....this is a strong drink.

Combine with:  alcohol to juice ratio is 1/2 & 1/2 OR 2/3 juice to 1/3 alcohol {to your liking}
Cranberry Juice
Orange Juice
Pineapple Juice
Sweet & Sour Mix

{or you can use frozen juice concentrates}

Blend in blender with ice to make it slushy 

Float Bacardi Select Rum on top.

Cheers!

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TT w/Linky: Fearless Flyers

Every winter we plan a trip to the snow and normally stay in one of my favorite winter locations, Tahoe Donner in Truckee, CA.  A big cabin is rented, we caravan up with friends and play in the snow for three days.

This past holiday weekend was the weekend we've had booked since October, snow or no snow we were going.  The snow fall has been extremely low this season but we hoped for the best and headed up anyway.

So glad we did.  The snow on the ground surrounding the hillside cabin where we stayed was protected by shade, which made conditions perfect for the homemade Luge run for sledding that was soon created.

On the early, crisp mornings, our luge run was icy and super fast.

Where the smallest of the bunch was able to catch some amazing air.

The faster the better.

As the days continued, the 'Fearless Flyers' became braver and braver.  Even trying out different positions.

Which made for bigger, more fun crashes.

Different weight combinations were evaluated to see who and what could get the fastest time down the luge run.

Crash after crash didn't stop these Fearless Flyers from trekking back up the hill again and again for another go at the fast track.

I'm still not entirely sure which they enjoyed more,  the crashes or the fast run down the hill.

By the second day, the Mom's had a go at it.

 I must say, the faster the better......until you crash land.

As long as the security barrier of bodies were in position to catch any out of control sleds from crashing into the side of the house, it was all good.

Despite what the above photo may look like, Bryce's front teeth were missing Before the snow trip.....No tears for these Fearless Flyers......maybe a slightly different story for the Moms.  My body is completely bruised from crashing down on the hard ice.....anything to entertain my kids.

On this Thankful Thursday, I'm thankful body pillows have been invented.

Link up with anything you’re thankful for! And if you’re not a blogger, just let us know in the comment section what you happen to be thankful for on this day.

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Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to leave a comment. I love to hear from you! Have a fantastic day!

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Cave Rock~Lake Tahoe

Normally on our visits to Lake Tahoe, we stay on the west or north shore of the lake, but this trip we wanted to mix it up a bit and stay on the south shore.  Lake Tahoe, itself sits at an elevation of about 6,200 feet, sitting on the California and Nevada border.  It is 72 miles around the rim and 22 miles long and 12 miles wide across the lake.
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Stopped In My Tracks

The recent weather we experienced last week has somehow disappeared!  It's windy, cold and rain is scheduled to come in again this weekend.

This weather leaves me with the feeling of winter again......which is not all bad because this is one of the thoughts I had.........

On our get away to Lake Tahoe this past winter, as I was walking along a pathway, all alone....sometimes just a quick and quiet five minute walk alone is just what I crave, to maybe, get the chance to notice things such as this...

A small, recently fallen pinecone laid in a pillow of freshly fallen snow.  Untouched by human hands.  It literally stopped me in my tracks.  At that moment, as I stood there, marveling at its beauty surrounded by the pure white snow, a feeling of gratefulness came over me.

Grateful for nature's beauty.

Grateful for being able to take a snow trip, with my family.

Grateful for the experiences we are able to give our two children.

Grateful for the good friends we have.

Grateful for the inspiration found in such things as this powerful, little pinecone.


Okay, okay, kind of corny I know.....

   

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Spectacular Lake Tahoe

There's a break between storms here in Lake Tahoe and it is just spectacular....no other way to describe it.

Perfect weather for playing outside and taking walks.

The roads near where we're staying are either closed or chains required for 4-wheel drives.  Since we don't have chains for our 4-wheel drive, we're hanging at the condo in Tahoe City.

Another photo of icicles, can you tell I love them?

No complaints from us though.  We built a sledding path right outside our front door, what more can you ask for?!  If the kids get tired or just need a break, the condo front door is just to the left in this photo below.

So we played 'cops & robbers' on sleds.  Paige and I were the 'robbers' and Logan and Derrick were the cops chasing us and Bryce decided to impale us with snowballs as we whizzed by.

Everyone took turns. 

I love having everything right outside the front door.  No driving required.  Cheers! 

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Lake Tahoe, a Magical Place

Lake Tahoe, a magical place, in my opinion.  So peaceful and serene yet with some very powerful elements.

The other day I shared 10 things I loved about the one-room school house that Bryce attends, one of them being the many field trips the kids are exposed to.  This weekend's field trip was a day ski trip to Soda Springs, near Lake Tahoe.  The school field trip was canceled due to the winter storm and potential hazardous driving conditions, but since we had reserved a condo for the weekend with our friends, the Pomis, we decided to take our time getting there and drive up anyway.

I'm so glad we did. 

Our annual snow trip with the Pomis to Lake Tahoe or Truckee has become a place where memories are being created to last a lifetime.

Great times with great friends......even though actual snow skiing has not occurred.

Maybe we'll get snowed in so we don't have to leave anytime soon.  I know that's what the kids are hoping for.

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