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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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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Snow Trip......well almost

The morning started out with high hopes and full of enthusiasm, looking forward to our annual snow trip to Lake Tahoe with our good friends.

What?  Winter storm warning?

They always over exaggerate, don't they?  What's driving through a little snow fall?

Off we went.  Hitting a torrential down pouring of rain through Sacramento and to the east on the way to the Sierra Nevada's.

All was good.  Roads open.  Four wheel drive with snow tires are ok and cleared to begin the trek up and over the summit.

Until we get to Colfax.

Highway 80 closed due to some sort of 20 car pile up accident that just happened 10 minutes prior.
The Grossi family guardian angel is working over time this week.  I was SO thankful we weren't caught up in that.

So, what else could we do?
Turn back and drive to Auburn, do a little bowling and either find a room for the night or wait for the roads to re-open.

We arrived in Tahoe at 11:30 p.m.




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Who Looks After the Dairy Cows When We're Away?

After yesterday's potential indoor bonfire, it feels good to get out of the house for a few days on an overnight family trip.  Our much looked forward to annual snow trip is here. 

A lot goes into leaving for a weekend or taking a vacation and it's difficult sometimes for a small family farmer to get away on a spur of the moment trip....so we plan our trips in advance. 

You may wonder who looks after the cows on the farm when we take a little trip.  My father-in-law, who shares the dairy business with Dominic, will do all of the feeding, barn scraping and maintenance that needs to be done and one of our employees will take over the calf care and calf feeding while Dominic's away. 

It's nice to be involved in a family business and to also have trusted employees that we know will take great care of the animals while we're away. 

Winter storm warning is in the forecast and from the looks of these clouds hanging over the farm early this morning, it looks like the forecast is correct.....see you from snowy Tahoe.

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