As I predicted, March would have one final snow "blow-out", in spite of warm temperatures we were experiencing. We were blessed (?) with about 5" of heavy, wet snow. But it was beautiful because the sun came out on Sunday.


After coming home from early church service, we headed out to one of the local nature trails. We needed taller boots than we anticipated. It was great walking on the trail in new, sparkly snow where no one had yet been. I did ask Kevin to take shorter steps so I could walk in his.




We came upon many deer traffic intersections, this being one of them.




The snow was so sticky that it would actually lift up the tracks Kevin left with his boot.




You can see how much snow fell by the depth of it on this bench.





Kevin





I found this cozy covering...and imagined that if we needed shelter, we could hunker down in here...but, we didn't need shelter, so we left.




The sky was a beautiful blue and cast long, dark shadows across the white snow.

Our day trip to the mountains in Spain...
Why, you ask, do I begin this post with a picture of cows grazing along the roadside?

Because Renae was fascinated by them, and as we got closer to them, she freaked, but then she was in awe of them. She referred to them by saying, "Mmmmm" (her sound the cows make...moo). So she kept an eagle eye out for the mmmms as we walked up into the mountains.





Ah yes, this is a much better vantage point. She's saying "mmmm" here, looking to the side of the road for more cows.





Crossing a stream on an ancient Roman bridge. Very cool.





Up the mountain...





Jesse whittled away at the walking sticks to smooth them for more comfortable handling.




Mommy and LP (Little Peanut) at the picnic site.





Kevin grew up in NY among the mountains, so he's taking it all in.
He's my outdoors boy.




Still taking it all in.




Little violet crocuses were popped up all over.





Kevin found a large cat paw print close to our picnic site.





(Have to have one of the photographer now and then.)





Little Peanut shaking a can of honey roasted peanuts. (They were delicious, by the way. Actually, they're addicting, if truth be told.)





LP just wanted a kiss from her daddy. And he's always happy to accommodate.




Hmmm...this looks like a fun place to run through.






Enjoying the outdoors





LP and Grandma






Hey, look at me sitting on this big rock all by myself!










Julie, Jesse, and Renae






Penni and Kevin





Kevin and Julie hiking down the mountain





What a beautiful day!





While we were visiting the kids, Renae started doing this thing where she would plug her ears. Julie decided LP discovered that things sound different when she plugs her ears. So it was a new thing to her.




I do believe LP is singing. She's a happy little girl.





Hey, if my daddy needs a walking stick, then so do I. I'm a big girl now.





Here we go.




This is way fun! I'm not scared to run down the mountain because I know they'll keep me from falling....No fear.




I'm all worn out.

Kevin gets new pre-school students....



Apolline and Ines came to visit Kevin's classroom with their mama, Sophie this morning.




Apolline studying a booklet from a museum




Penni with Apolline as she turns to watch the classroom full of 3rd graders...big people!




Sophie is an elementary teacher in France. Today she came to see what school was like in an elementary setting in the United States. She was surprised to find there was a music classroom because they do not have music for elementary children. So we visited that room briefly. Ines and Apolline loved the musical instruments.




When he had a chance, Kevin came and visited with Sophie and the girls while his students were working on their architectural projects.




Painting




As we were preparing to leave, Ines found this mirror in Kevin's classroom




Oh...and Saturday night we received about 5" of snow. On our way home from church service, we saw Remi shoveling out his driveway. Notice Apolline was shoveling with a dust pan. Just her size!

Kevin and I just flew in from our trip to Spain on Saturday evening. Then we ran home and showered, then made a quick trip out of town to make it to a wedding reception for one of my close friend's daughter. So we got to bed late...lagging from the time change and lack of sleep.

Kevin woke up before me on Sunday morning. I heard sounds coming from the kitchen. I thought I actually heard Kevin making coffee. Please understand, Kevin has never made coffee in his entire life...he has never drunk coffee...he doesn't know how to make coffee. But this wonderful husband was making me coffee to serve me with my breakfast in bed! What a great surprise.

The coffee tasted great. Breakfast was great.
When I finally got up and went out into the kitchen, this is how I found the coffee pot:


Yep...he made it with the lid off the pot. He said he didn't want the water to run all over and to be sure that the coffee went into the carafe. He said his first attempt, he poured the water into the filter, then realized that wasn't going to work, when the water spilled out all over. So he tried again...this time with success. Gotta love him for his servant's heart.

An afternoon in the park.....


Uncle Trey, are you going to catch that frisbe?





Hmmm...what's this pretty thing?





Jesse





"Excuse me, but Aunt Kari and I are bonding."





Siesta




"So, are you about ready to come back and play with me again, Uncle Trey?"




Trey and Kari




Our group shot




"Okay...I think I've hit a wall. If you have any doubt, just look at my hair."




Walking back toward the bus




From the bus, to the apartment





Wii play together




Renae was fascinated with my flash drive...she liked to take it apart and put it back together...over and over again. It provided lots of entertainment for her.




Ah...homemade pizza from 2 great cooks.