Snow and More Snow

Tags

Boo, snow, weather, winter, yard

 

While Not Blogging…

Tags

Boo, Funny things kids do, Life in General

We have been busy these last couple of weeks working on Mike’s portfolio and some presentations for a couple of  job interviews.  The interviews are over and while we wait to hear the results we are trying to relax some and catch up on things- including blogging. So here are some things that happened during the blogging break. First, Sam lost a couple of teeth- one and top and one on bottom.

The living room was turned into a massive fort with rooms for each kid.

Boo kept watch over the street.

And we went to visit Sue the T-Rex at the Museum of Idaho. Yes, that really is the name of the T-Rex. She was impressive though.

And there was a teepee there too.

 

Fetching in February

Tags

Boo, labradoodle, snow, winter

If Boo could talk he would say, “Are you going to throw my ball?” He doesn’t need to talk, the look says it all. In cold weather, when we don’t want to go outside, we throw his ball off the deck for him to chase. He just stands at the door waiting until we do. Sometimes he will push the ball down the stairs with his nose and chase after it. We appreciate a dog that can entertain himself.

Kaitlyn Meets the Webcam

Tags

Boo, Kaitlyn, Marianne

Boo’s Snow Problem

Tags

Boo, outside, snow

We did venture outside yesterday after it stopped snowing (and blowing). When the sun came out so did all the kids. Boo was excited to get outside and chase his ball but we he had a problem. His tennis ball gets lost in the snow. The snow sticks to it and makes it literally into a snow ball. He spent time trying to find it and pushing snow around with his nose, but the yellow ball blends in too well.

Can you see Boo’s ball? Do they make dark colored tennis balls? Maybe some contrast will help him see the ball in the snow. He does love the snow and loves to run through it. Kaitlyn also loved the snow, but only for about 15 minutes. Then she was ready to come inside and warm up. It took longer to put all of her snow stuff on then the entire time she was outside. Her favorite activity was making footprints.

 

Fluff and Stuff

Tags

Boo, labradoodle, outside, weather

Boo has been growing some more fluff. It’s a good thing too. This morning when I woke up, I looked at the thermometer and the temperature outside was only 16 degrees. 16 degrees!! Goodness- and it’s only November. Here in Idaho, winter starts the day after Halloween. We have snow on the ground (mostly melted, but still). The forecast doesn’t call for any temperature above the 30′s in the forseeable future. All this skipping a proper fall and jumping into winter in November is tragic for an Easterner like myself. I long to be back in Virginia jumping into piles of leaves or back in Connecticut going for a drive to leaf peep.

As we get into winter, I start to hibernate. This year I have told myself I need to get out more on these winter days (especially when the sun is out because it makes all the difference). I’ve promised Boo I would take him outside at least once a day for a walk or to chase the ball. He’s ready-with all his fluff that is still growing. Every year I tell myself we need to embrace winter. Hopefully we will take more ski trips and the kids will take ice skating lessons. I admire these Idahoans who love winter and spend lots of time out in it. We just all need to add some more fluff to our wardrobe. I like the Scandinavian saying, “there’s no bad weather, just bad clothing.”

I should add that Boo is kind enough to share his fluff. When he lays on your feet, it’s better than slippers and everyone wants to curl up next to him on chilly evenings. He doesn’t seem to mind giving the service as long as you rub his ears and belly.

When Alarm Clocks Don’t Work

Tags

Abby, Boo, labradoodle, Sam

It has been a tough adjustment to the new school schedule. Everyone was used to staying up late and sleeping in. We found that when we can’t get the kids to wake up, Boo does an effective job.

It’s hard to sleep with a dog licking your face.

 

 

Raspberries- and Lots of Them

Tags

Boo, Eats, Kaitlyn, labradoodle, summer, yard

There is one area in which we have an abundance. It is in raspberries in summer. Here is our out-of-control raspberry patch in our backyard.

 

Well, almost the entire patch. In July we start picking everyday. Today we picked two full buckets and made countless jars of jam. We eat them on everything and eat them plain too. Everyone loves the patch including neighbor kids, grandparents, and even some students who work for Mike have come over to pick for themselves. Last year when we went on vacation, we paid students in raspberries to come water our flowers.

Even Boo picks raspberries.

Or he tries to eat them out of the bucket. Did you know dogs ate raspberries? Or is that just Boo?

Too bad you’re not here. We have plenty to share. And if you are thinking of coming to visit and try some raspberries (I’m looking at you Mom and Dad) this is the time!

 

What do you do when Memorial Day is cold and rainy?

Tags

Boo, Kaitlyn, weather

You camp out in the living room,

and play ball inside the house.

 

 

 

Scenes from a Saturday

Tags

Boo, flowers, labradoodle, yard

We didn’t make any special plans for Memorial Day weekend. So instead we caught up with yardwork and the kids played outside…and inside.

Boo chased his ball over and over. It’s hard to believe that when we adopted him he didn’t even know how to retrieve. Now he can’t get enough.

And I admired the blossoms on the apple tree in our front yard.