America's Got Talent

And it all starts in the bathtub.

Twelve Inches

Utah is famous for having the "greatest snow on Earth" - much of which falls in February and March. We got a foot of the stuff on Friday night, which made for a busy Saturday. I did enough shoveling to be able to collect eggs and to get myself and Gavin into the truck, then took Gavin sledding with some of his buddies in Logan while Brandon and Vivian hung out together at home (Brandon's laid up for a few days, so he didn't get to get out and enjoy the fresh pow). Afterward we stopped and picked up Vivian and went up to Hardware Ranch for a sleigh ride among the elk. Thanks and props to Melanie for inviting us out! By the time we got back, our parking area was snow-free. We are fortunate to have multiple nice neighbors with snowplows :). To see more pictures, CLICK HERE.

S***

SICK, that is. We've been going through a tissues at an alarming rate here at the Chard Yard. Brandon is trying to get over a sinus infection, Gavin's had a cough with an intermittent fever for a week, and now Viv and I are coughing up a storm as well. It's a holiday weekend and the snow just keeps coming, so the obvious thing to do is to lay low, drink lots of fluids, and cuddle our sickness away.

Treehouse Musem

Today we met up with the gang at the Treehouse Museum in Ogden. What a fun place! Gavin was extra thrilled because afterward he got to 1) go to a new McDonald's playland with his cousins, and 2) go home with Aunt Brookey for the rest of the weekend. Not sure who is more excited about that last one - Gavin or his mom & dad ;).

Valentine's Day Treat-Making

All of a sudden our local grocery stores are carrying gorgeous, bright red, juicy and firm strawberries. With Valentine's Day coming up it seemed a no-brainer to dip a few of those succulent berries in some chocolate. Of course, Gavin wanted to 'help'. Turns out he's a better dipper than I am!

Uinta Mountains Weekend

We had the pleasure of spending our pre-Super-Bowl weekend at our friends the Schellhase's 'cabin' in the Uinta mountains. They call it a cabin, but it's more like a luxury retreat. It has 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms and every corner is beautifully appointed with homey decor. They built it themselves over the course of six years and their hard work really shows. And on top of all that, Angela is an excellent cook who loves to entertain (and we love to eat and to be entertained). Brandon and I both got a chance to do some cross-country skiing (although not at the same time) and Gavin had a great time playing with 6-year-old Reagan, who was very gracious about sharing her toys. With the exception of Gavin getting a stomach bug and throwing up and Vivian having a hard time getting to sleep at night, it was a relaxing and rejuvenating couple of days.

The king-sized bed we slept in.

One of the two wash basins in 'our' bathroom.

Reagan and Gavin share in a snack.

The living room.

Reagan and Viv share in a smile.

Angela and Allen's room.

Viv catches some ZZZ's on A&A's bed.

Allen shares the couch with vizslas Cognac and Quinn (the dogs have their own bedroom and pretty much sit wherever they want).

Gavin and Lucy get acquainted at Tracy & Cindy's cabin.

Still life with baby in Bumbo seat.

Gavin and Angela show off their matching hats.

Riding back out to the truck in the Sno-Cat.