February in New Hampshire

Two long winters in the Upper Valley have helped us realize that this is a very typical February....

 sled rides, and snow eating

 
snow tracks, and happy faces,

 

sad boys when it's time to come, and rosy rosy cheeks from that bitter cold,

 ski jumps in the backyard thanks to dad...he would literally go out at 7:15 in the morning to practice

 
s'more making, and ice sculptures....

winter break = ski camp for Damon

February = hot chocolate from King Arthur Flour for me

and don't forget the rosy cheeks for this guy. This kid loves to ski. 

Boys

An all time favorite photo

My Valentines

A Ski Lesson...For Me?

Lots of pics...well....because we are cool. 

My dear friend, Maren, and I....we, uh... well we both grew up minutes, yes minutes from multiple ski resorts on in the Rocky Mountains of Utah.  Greatest Snow on Earth Utah,  Yet, neither of us ever skied until January 2013, in Vermont.  (I put skis on once a few years ago, but I say it doesn't count because I don't feel like I did a thing except attempt to walk around in them)

 There was a great deal at Sugarbush Ski Resort for first time skiers....you got a full lesson, and chair lift pass for $29.   We  agreed we had to do it.  Together.

the only time either of us fell...best part was that she was just standing there not moving, and lost her balance.  

aahhhhh!!!!  A real chair lift!  

Maren was killing it by the end, and rode the chair lift at least three times....I on the other hand, rode it once, and was literally terrified, scared for my life, and swore that if I went any faster that I would end up with a broken limb.  (Apparently I wasn't even going that fast, but I swear it felt so much faster!)

Overall, it really was a super fun day.  I'll definitely feel more comfortable next time I take a lesson.  :).  and Yes, there will be a next time.

Backyard Adventure

This is what we do on Sunday afternoons, in January, in New Hampshire.....wouldn't you?

 I'll never get the obsession with sticks. 

O' Christmas Tree

One of my favorite things that we were able to do during the two Decembers that we lived in the Upper Valley was to go and chop down our own Christmas tree.  It's amazing that we only have to drive for about 10-15 minutes to get to a tree farm (yes, we live in a forest in case you hadn't noticed)... It's such a fun outing, and it's so cheap! 

You know you live in a small town when it's seriously an "on your honor" system.  You show up, cut down your tree, and mail a check to an address that is posted on a tree.  No joke.  I love that people are just expected to be honest here, and I bet they usually are! 

the big guys...discussing... 

 the little guy...trying to catch up

 He found his favorite....

so did they....

 it was cold.  

heading out! 

Dartmouth Tree Lighting

Every year Dartmouth puts up a huge tree on the Dartmouth green and they have a 'tree lighting ceremony'. They have little choir performances, caroling and of course, free hot chocolate. We met a bunch of our friends up there and had a fun night doing what people do in these quaint little college towns.  

Craft Fairs! Year 2

This year a few of us started chatting about what to make for this years craft fair....We had a lot of fun doing it last year, and knew that we could pull off a fun day again.  

 I thought about making these tile coasters...but I tried to think about what I could do to make them unique to the community and to all of our Tuck people...I  thought "I wonder if I could put the Tuck and / or Dartmouth logo on them."  I sent some emails to some people at Tuck and got in touch with the woman in charge of the licensing at Dartmouth.  It was a simple meeting, and license agreement, and I was on my way. She sent me logo's to use, and let's just say that it was well worth all the work.  Although my kitchen looked like this for... well...a while...It was a lot of fun for me to have a crafty project to work on after the kids were tucked in for bed. I stayed up WAY later than I usually do for weeks on end, and was exhausted for most of the month of November...but like I said...it really was a lot of fun, and definitely worth it.

I also thought about doing some sewing....even though I hadn't sewn a thing (not even a button) since 9th grade (which was a VERY long time ago).   My sweet friend lent me her extra sewing machine, and gave me some tips, and reminded me how to thread a machine....and off I went...I made these banners or buntings...and really ended up liking them.  I wished that I had extra's to keep for myself! 

I also decided to make some treats.  It's not too hard to make your money back when you make certain treats, but they just always take longer to make than you think!  I didn't want to ever see another cakeball by the time I was done!

              Brittani, Catherine, me, Laura, Ashley, Maren, Latasha, Eileen, Melissa, and Kristen.

                     I love these friends so much. It was so fun to spend the day with these ladies.

Maren and I were also able to participate in the Tuck Craft Fair.  It was fun to be at Tuck with faculty, students, other partners...etc. for the day.  I sold out of the coasters in the first 15 minutes, but luckily was able to take orders.  Mini entrepreneur? ? ?  We shall see.  (yeah right)