~Can We Really Scare Away The Winter?~

~Fasching, Carneval or Mardi-Gras, no matter what you call it, many cultures throughout the world celebrate the pre-Lenten season with elaborate celebrations and revelry. Whether intended as one last fling before the fasting and austerity of lent or just to scare away the evil spirits of winter and bring in the warm spring - it is definitely not to be missed. We had a fun filled day of great food, spirits and entertainment. We had the chance to see the witches, goblins and fools come out to play. We had to watch out for the witches, they like to play jokes on the spectators by untying shoes and putting hay down your back. We were definitely up for trying anything at this point to scare away the winter.. it has been a very cold and snow filled couple of months in Germany~








~And since the parade didn't work to scare away the cold, we decided to enjoy the warmth from friends and loved ones and just enjoy it...


~Steve was kind and sent me some arm warmers for Valentine's Day.. I love them! Thank you bears.. I love you & Happy Valentine's Day. Sad we were not able to spend this one together, but glad that our friends were there to come to our rescue this year~


~I came downstairs in the morning and the boys wished me a Happy Valentine's Day with a love song and a sweet note.. I love my boys.. they definitely warmed my heart~


~Is there anything more precious than a homemade valentine from your son? I was so happy when he gave this to me. I also found this beautiful plant and some fresh pastries on my porch.. I was feeling the love.. we were off to a great start~


~Our neighbors rang the doorbell and asked if we wanted to build an igloo with them - we had a bunch of new snow fall over night. The boys had fun helping to fill the buckets and were very proud of their igloo~


~Kade was having the best time. He just got done hitting me in the face with a snowball.. can you tell he felt really bad?~


~We were finally done.. and then our neighbor said that he wanted to add a curtain to the door.. and this is what he came out with! Happy Valentine's Day & God Bless America - I love it!~


~We came inside and had hot chocolate with marshmellows and then the doorbell rang again.. we had more visitors! Our friends came by with a bag full of our favorite treats and gave us an invitation for a candlelight dinner at their house that night. We were so happy, and we were so touched that so many people were so kind to us today. I will take the winter.. if it can be filled with so much love and warmth~

~Going Back To Where The Magic Started~

~We thought it would be fun taking Jesse to college and doing a road trip to Rexburg, Idaho where the magic all started for us! After a very fun 13 hours in the car we drove into town. Every single hotel was completely booked - after begging the front desk guy at the Days Inn at 1 a.m. to let us stay there, he finally gave us his last room - with one King bed..so much for a romantic getaway before our four months of separation, but I laughed so hard this night I would not have wanted it any other way~


~We both showed up in 1995 studying Landscape Horticulture and having almost every class together. I got butterflies in my stomach every time he would talk to me or sit next to me.. I went back to Rexburg in 1999 and was so happy we were able to reconnect.. we have so many wonderful memories of our times laughing and hanging out together at good ol' Ricks College USA~


~I felt like the ol' mom and ol' dad, who are so proud to send their son off to college. We took Jesse to the bookstore to try to get him set up with his books and we told him we would buy him his first college sweatshirt. He had many choices.. but our boy did us proud and chose the only Ricks College sweatshirt in the store.. who are we kidding, why mess with a good thing?~


~We spent a lot of time at our favorite restaurants.. a lot of things had changed about this town, but to me it was pretty much the same old place. And I was very happy that Gringo's salsa was still as delicious as I remembered it from 10 years ago~


~As soon as we saw the Maverick Convenient store, we had to stop. This is what got Steve through school. He was up so late every night and in order to study they would take their 64 oz. "Mav" mugs in to get their refills of Mt. Dew for a quarter! I had to come home with some souvenirs from our trip. They have now replaced the 64 oz. mug with the 100 oz. mug!!! Can you even imagine what this would do to you?~


~After spending two days in Rexburg, walking around campus, going to our favorite restaurants, walking through our classroom buildings and greenhouses.. we decided it was time to get going. On our way out of town, we looked down at the temperature gauge and we saw -11 degrees!! We love this town for the magic it created for us.. but we will never miss that kind of cold weather.. now that is bitter cold~


~And this is what was waiting for us when we got home.. I am so glad that we got to go and walk down memory lane, and so glad that one day we will have the chance to see magic happen like this for our boys~


~We sent Steve off to Missouri for 4 months, but the magic still continues.. we miss & love you Steve(Dad)~