There is light at the end of the tunnel...winter tunnel that is.  Every day we are one step closer to the snow being gone.  We have passed mid February.  I am so excited!!  In some respects the winter has been milder but I still don't like the cold or the snow day in and day out! 

Jacob has one more basketball tournament and it is local!  He has been practicing/playing tournaments since October!  This is the longest sport season we have ever had!  Ready to get our Saturday mornings back!

Joseph finished up his snowboarding.  He is interested in soccer, but not sure yet if he will play.  Looks like it will be a quiet spring in the activity department! 

I am still working unlimited!  So hard to have a slower week when I know there is money I could be making.  I am finally getting in a groove and not committing to too much, so I have time for other things.

Almost 4 weeks ago, a good friend of mine lost her husband in a tragic train/car accident.  We have attended church with them for about 10 years and they have kids similar in age with some of ours.  The husband taught two of the boys' Sunday School classes.  It was the first time someone close to the boys have died, so lots of conversations about funerals, cemeteries, dying in general, etc.  When we attended the grave side, there was a 21 gun salute.  Those services are always so special.  He was buried in a small community cemetery, just down the street from our church.  I honestly did not even know it was there, because it sits up on a bluff.  An amazing view of the whole valley.  I told my boys that it was the cemetery I would love to be buried in.  Would be a wonderful place to walk through once the snow melts and see all the names and dates on the head stones. 

One of Joseph's former baseball coaches has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.  Just an amazing man/coach/mentor.  This past Friday they had a celebration of life for him and he was able to attend!! What a wonderful idea!  For those that are terminal, why have the celebration after they are gone.  Again, lots of discussion about quality of life issues, cancer, treatments, etc.

Tomorrow I am participating in a 7 day clinical trial.  I have to be at the local mall at 7am for the next 7 days to walk for an hour.  This is through a local lab that I have always wanted to get involved with, but never have followed through.  I will have to wear patches on my shoulders for the whole week to test how well they stay on.  The best part, I am going to get paid $450 to walk at any pace I choose, indoors for an hour.  Excited to put some more money in my fun/travel account.  I have several trips I am hoping to make in the next 6 months or so!

JR is staying busy with work.  He is over the snow, so there just might be a party when it is all gone! 

Benjamin missed the driver's ed cut off, because he is one of the youngest in his class.  So, he continues to anxiously await until he can get behind the wheel.  He is saving up for a car/insurance and gas!

January has come and gone!  Where did the days go.  I have been working 35-40 hours a week (so thankful for the work and it looks like it will not slow down anytime soon).  However, I feel like I can't keep up with everything.

On the 13th I celebrated my 50th!  My mom and sister flew up and surprised me for the weekend.  It was a totally chill Saturday and then on Sunday we went for brunch, to see a movie and then cake with the boys.  I think this is the only picture we took from the weekend.

Joseph has just finished 5 weeks of snowboarding lessons.  He did so good!  He picked it up really quickly.

Jacob has another 5 weeks or so of travel basketball.  Nothing else lined up for the spring right now.  Maybe soccer for Joseph.  At some point hopefully we can get Benjamin into Driver's Ed!!!

Nothing else really going on with us...basketball, snowboarding and work for me!