Happy New Year!

This is where I ended last night...

Teaching myself a new trick!

Love my Family

They're here!

Memories

Mama made her a new strap!

One of my favorite parts of family gatherings is when my niece pulls out her guitar and sings for us!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

I'm kinda curious about these tracks.

Letting Amber break trail...

Checkin' himself out!

EVERY year she makes me wear this!

Trimming the Tree Together

Pooped Puppies

Training

I'm in!

Because I told him that it wouldn't fit down the stairway...

Yes, he proved me wrong!

Setting Tracks

Our hunt was successful again!

Making big plans...

I'll see you again this summer!

I can put my feet up again!

My new recliner has finally arrived, and I'm a happy girl. Amber appreciates that it puts my lap right at her height for easy access for attention.

Love that light!

When you slam on the brakes because you just have to get a shot, and hope that the guy in the pick-up coming up behind you has good brakes, and appreciates a pretty sky too!

Amber figured out how to get up on the couch!

Any time someone sits down...

A landscaper, perhaps?

Happy 12th Birthday, Aly!

Disclaimer: no, we did not get her a fish! Sidney was a temporary visitor and was in a room with a closed door - Aly followed me in on day, I snapped the picture 'cause it was super cute, and promptly removed her from the room. :-)

My favorite lunch dates!

They get sooooo sad when I have to leave though, that's it's really hard to go back to work!

Dining to Donate II

This evening the Nordic team held a Dining to Donate at our local Applebee's Restaurant. A portion of the cost for each delicious meal will be given to the team for their Fort Kent training trip. The kids had also gathered up some items for a silent auction, which was very popular. It was a really fun evening spent visiting with family and friends! And, we raised a lot of money for the team. Definitely a win-win situation!

Well, that's not very nice!

"He's here, Mom. He's really here!"

My first training session - it was so much fun!

Of course I had to try it!

I'm stitching again!

Full bellies & a warm fire...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ha ha!!

A friend sent me this, and I couldn't help but laugh:

Cani-cross at Sunset Ridge Dryland Challenge - Day 2

Cold, rainy, and windy conditions made today's race much more challenging. But, they prevailed and held onto first place by a very small margin. All the competitors did a great job!

Cani-cross at Sunset Ridge Dryland Challenge - Day 1

Our competitors:

My friend agreed to come and run with Amber for me since I'm still injured. She was terrified because she had never run a cani-cross race at a good sized event before, but she had a blast! Amber did great and they had so much fun together out on the trails.
My son raced with Timmy and won (barely!) the race! They faced some fast competition, but ran well together.This is how I found them a few minutes after the finish...

Just when I thought I couldn't be more proud of my sons...

Yesterday evening they invited me to a yummy dinner and presentation for their Pre-Engineering class where they demonstrated (before a panel of engineers from companies that sponsor the technical school) what they are currently learning. My sons are really going above and beyond the scope of what the teacher has taught them, and the advisory members left completely impressed with their efforts.

This is the robot that my older son has been building from spare parts that the teacher has provided. It is controlled remotely by his laptop computer, and has a camera on the front so that he can see where it is going without being right next to it. Not only were the board members impressed by the principals that he has applied to this project, but that he could explain them so succinctly to a group of strange adults. I could tell that he was nervous, but he rose to the occasion. It helps when you not only know what you are talking about, but you are passionate about it!

They all agreed that although they are advanced in their respective fields, much of what he was talking about was 'over their heads' - he is well on his way to his goal being a Robotics Engineer. My younger son presented a replica air hockey table that he has been machining in class, and also demonstrated a video game that has has been writing in his spare time. They couldn't believe the level of skill in computer programming that he was displaying. It is very nice to be their mother.

Planting Cheer

Just as I'm starting to get anxious about winter's imminent arrival, (because no matter how much l like to play in the snow, it does bring hardship) I plant daffodils all around the yard as a promise to myself that spring will come!

Good Character

“He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men. We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.” ― Immanuel Kant

Super Moon

Dryland Biathlon @ Roberts Farm Preserve