Hiking and babysitting

As I showed on the pictures I posted here the other day, we got a beautiful snow on Thursday, probably 6 or 7 inches.  However, on Saturday the sun was glorious and the temp went up into the 50's!!   In the afternoon Anthony texted that Lori wanted to go hiking in their woods.  Neither she nor I had EVER hiked in their woods!!  Of course she was very pregnant last year at this time.  And we both are leery of the possible wildlife we could come across in warmer weather.  So this seemed like the perfect time to finally get out there.  I honestly felt more like napping, but knowing that my arteries are in good condition and that exercise is helpful in keeping my blood pressure lower, I decided to go for it.  

I'm so glad I did.  We had the most wonderful time!  

Austin was prepared to protect us!

The biggest tree on the property.

You can see the house through the trees on the left side of this pic. 

Standing on a rock pile. 

A different view of the barn.

Back in the house we ate the pulled BBQ chicken I had made in the crockpot with rolls and coleslaw. Here everyone was watching Lori race a car!

And this little guy was making his way around the room.  

On Sunday morning we woke up to RAIN, and it continued to rain all day.  Absolutely miserable.  But I was so glad it wasn't freezing.  The choir was planning to sing The Gift of Love in honor of Valentines Day just like we had planned to do it last year on Valentines Sunday.  However, church was cancelled because of snow last year.  And get this - two years ago church was cancelled because of snow on Valentines Sunday also!!  That's the time Dick and I were traveling home from Sam and Jenn's on a Saturday evening and got caught in a horrible white out.  We ended up staying in a hotel that night.  So anyway, I was glad that seconds did not make thirds!

We went to Calvary's service after we left Fillmore and then brought the boys home with us for the afternoon.  They looked so handsome in their "church" clothes. 

After lunch Grandpa and Hunter were buddies.

He fell asleep listening to Grandpa sing in a low voice and feeling the rumble of his chest.  Dick was proud that he still knew how to get a baby to sleep!

Meanwhile I introduced Life to Austin.  He was hooked in no time!  He LOVED making all that money and winning!  It was a long game and he didn't lose interest once.  When we were finished he begged me to play another round, but I knew there would not be time.  

Besides this guy was waking up and I needed my turn with him.  That sweater and jeans were cute, but there's nothing cuter than a onesie!

Grandpa and Austin played UNO.

Austin always looks forward to the mini ice cream sandwiches in our freezer, but alas, Dick had eaten the last one the evening before.  So I made these energy balls.  He actually liked them!  Probably because of the chocolate chips in them.  

All this snow and rain is causing the springs to flow once again at Stauffer Acres and the pond is totally filled up again.  When I took this picture yesterday there was ice on top.  Two years ago at this time they sold their house after just four days on the market, and this mountain property was starting to become more than a dream. 

Have a good rest of the week!