Wow! as Marye would say, what happened to January and how did half of February fly by? Just returned from visiting my sister Cathy in Denver.......ran our little socks off literally. If we weren't cooking, we were shopping or she was walking the dog and shoveling snow. It was great seeing all the great nieces and nephews and I am so proud of the way the kids acted just like they saw me yesterday! Lots of hugs and kisses! Gracie was a great little helper in the kitchen with the Super Bowl snacks, and does she love to talk, felt like we had been cooking together for years. Aaron is so tall and is a great baseball player and Mitchell is preparing for his senior year. Unbelievable! Danny plays the violin like a pro and Bella Rose is just a little princess. Emily is all girl and is cute as a "bug" which is Macs nickname by dad.

We had a couple of great snow storms and it was absolutely beautiful. The tree above is just one example of the elegant force of nature.

Home now and looking forward to my Spring Break taking care of Mac's cats at Marian's in Ocean Shores Wa while she and Paul explore and cycle the San Juan Islands. James and Esti are heading to Eugene to help Mac celebrate her 24th birthday on the 19th. Paul got her tickets to Elton John for her birthday. Then it is off to SLC in April for a baby shower for Sara. Before you know it we will be planting and building the western deck on the cabin.

Yesterday I took Mom and Stomie to meet the Governor and get a Birthday picture for Stomie. During their visit Stomie found out that the Governor's mother who also lives in Nampa would turn 96 on the same day Stomie turns 96 today! Off to the men's store for pocket hankies and then to Shige's for sushi. Joe joined us and Shige sang Happy Birthday solo and the whole restaurant applauded. Papasan loved his 96 $1.00 bills and Joe threw 4 more dollars in for "many more" A very happy occasion indeed. Thanks for everyone's help in pulling it off. I miss my little "Lucca" and his funny sayings "game on" "you win" "want to watch the hulk" he is one bright little adult in a kids body!

On to Spring, or so the ground hog says! I hope the ol superstition holds true. ~DW~