Oh the weather outside....

...is changing! No, really! We were told when we moved here, "If you don't like Idaho weather, wait five minutes...it's sure to change!" That was definitely true this afternoon.

We were just finishing dinner and looked out our patio window. This is what we saw.



Even the deer were taking shelter from this storm. It was coming down pretty hard. They ran up the hill and huddled under the trees in this industrial park building.



Not long afterwards, this was the view from our balcony...



The sunshine on the snow was just as beautiful as the snowfall itself. Heavenly Father has certainly outdone Himself, this time. As Louis Armstrong once sang, "...and I think to myself, what a wonderful world..."

If at first you don't succeed...

...try, try, again...

We spent President's Day weekend in Utah, scouting for a house. Our main objective was to find an area that "felt right". We managed to do that, so I guess the trip was a success.

Originally, we thought we'd be in Cedar Hills, which is right up the slope of Mt. Timpanogas.



Unfortunately, things there weren't exactly what we were looking for, so we went to the other side of Utah lake. We found 'the' place and house we wanted to have built. Here's the view we'd have from our deck...



However, the best laid-plans and all that... The house started out affordable, but in spite of our best efforts, we couldn't keep the cost down to a manageable level. So, we're almost back at square one. We know where we want to be, we just have to find the house that fits.

In the meantime, we still love the view...



...and before you know it, we'll be saying: "This is the place"...

Getting this show on the road...

...or getting this roadshow on the stage...

Our Stake put on their roadshows, this Wednesday. Each Ward chose a "Mormonad" at random, then presented their interpretation of it.

Our Ward chose one about a couple out to eat at a fancy restaurant. When the husband's phone rings, it's clear he's talking to his child who needs help with a video game. It's also clear the other diners are irritated with the interruption. After giving a few pointers, the dad cheers and says, "Way to go, you just saved the universe." Then the waiter says, "Dessert is on the house for anyone who just saved the universe." It was really cute.

Our kids did the whole thing from both the kid's and dad's perspective. In our roadshow, it was pirates and not space invaders.



They ran through rehearsal a few times beforehand...just to make sure they had the swashbuckling down-properly.




In the end the applause was genuine and everyone had a really great time. The imagination all the kids in the Stake showed was just hilarious. They all did a really great job.



Of course, Amanda wasn't sure if the roadshow was Wednesday, or if they were having a dress-rehearsal. Thank goodness I got an email from the Young Women's leaders. I had 45 minutes to get a costume together for Mandy. Given the time constraints, I don't think we did too badly.

...Although we didn't manage to get her a sword...here she's holding an imaginary one...



The rest of her outfit looked pretty good...



I still remember the roadshow we did when I was in Young Women's...ask my sister and brother "what's the date?" haha Amanda's was so much better...

Doggy tales...

For those of you who don't know the story...We acquired another dog in November of this past year. The ironic thing about this is that Kevin has been adamant about not getting any more pets. (We already had two dogs and two cats) Getting this newest addition to the zoo was Kevin's idea, which he sprung on us on his birthday. Maybe it was the giddiness of the celebration (too much cake?), maybe it was the shock of turning 45, maybe it was just temporary insanity. At the time, I wasn't sure. Now however, I know the truth, and I have the pictures to prove it...

Kevin didn't get enough toys for his birthday, and Milo was just what he needed. Tormenting the poor little dog has become one of Kevin's favorite past-times...




Of course, Milo looks like he doesn't mind this too much...he is actually having fun!



He only LOOKS vicious...





He's really just playing and trying to get Kevin's hand from under the quilt.





In reality, Milo is just Kevin's sweet baby, and keeps Kevin entertained...




...when he's not tormenting Rover, the fat-cat.



OR when Milo's not tormenting poor Rover...thank goodness the cat still has nine lives...



Ah yes, the peace and harmony is what keeps life serene here at the ZOO...