19 Years of Wedded Bliss (Seriously though...40% has been blissful)

 With a lot of hard work, compromise, sacrifice, teamwork, tears, laughter, tears from laughter, and most importantly unconditional love, Scott and I have made it a whole 19 years.  Some days I look back and I can remember in perfect detail our wedding day.  Smells, the taste of the food and drink, the lighting (beautiful candle light), the weather (unseasonably warm just after a fresh snowfall the night before), getting ready with my girlfriends and mother and sister, seeing my dad at the top of the stairs before we took the slow stroll down the "aisle"... In my mind it was just a few weeks ago!  But then I step back and look at all we have accomplished together.  We have a 15 and 16 year old! We have moved 11 times, traveled the entire country in a camper for 5 months, homeschooled our kids for 6 years, had two amazing dogs (Cullen is currently whining at me and barking in a jealous rage at anyone so lucky to be walking by our house) had a variety of jobs, made amazing friends, gone on many memorable camping trips, climbed mountains...  I guess these things have all taken time.  It has passed by in a flash.  I am grateful to be with someone who gets me, and whom I get entirely.  He really is the only worthwhile thing I got from high school Chemistry.

That being said...we enjoyed the Superbowl this year with our friends from Portland.  Ethan baked a football cake for the occasion.  We also celebrated Ethan's 15th birthday with Gammy and Gampy.

Both kids are continuing to work hard at school.  They are getting worn down by all the test and essays.  I forgot just how hard high school really is!

I am hoping that the next time I add to this blog it will be warm out and I will have some pictures from Ethan's baseball games and Fiona's track meets. 

Ethan and the boys.

My friend Melissa (Cullen's friend also) took this shot.

Ethan's famous chocolate cake.

Theo, hangin out.

All he wanted on his birthday was to wake up to DD Donuts.

What pairs better with donuts than donut boxers???

Received birthday package ON HIS BIRTHDAY from auntie.

Gammy's artful card along side Fiona's.

Did I mention we all went to "The Price Is Right"?  Jason got us all tickets!

It was a packed venue.

Soooo loud!  People were going crazy!

This is an example of just how packed.  That guys butt kept bumping my sisters head!

"I looooove you mommy"

Bob has lived in Scott's truck for years.  Sometimes we just let him take the wheel.

Our back yard.

Scott was doing some plumbing for a friend.  He took the role way too seriously.

Anniversary flowers.  

Dinner with just my daughter.

Family date night.

All I wanted was one picture with the two of them faking a smile.

NEVER got a clear shot.

Ethan has been working hard spiffing up the basement.  I added the stuffed animals.

Him and buddies bowling.

This is just some of the food I prepare for clients.  Roast sweet potatoes, baked potatoes, roast cauliflower, roast fennel and garlic, mashed potatoes.  I like the cooking part of my job.

Winter Fun. Kinda...'cause it's really, really cold out.

 The day after Christmas (where we celebrate the holiday with my parents and close family friends) was warm and laid back.  A smaller crowd than in years past...but a treat compared to last year!  The weather was gorgeous and mom and dads yard seemed to be showing off.  Later in the week we deposited our children back to their grandparents, where they continued the tradition of ringing in the new year with their cousin Ellie.  Scott and I used the time to complete our first snowy winter mountain accent.  We stuck with familiar ground and returned to Burnt Meadow Mountain.  It was at times easier than in warmer weather.  For one thing we could shed layers to maintain a comfortable body temp...and it was nice not tripping over roots (common complaint when hiking in and around the White Mountains) because they were covered in snow.  Some parts were slippery, but at least if you fell you were cushioned by snow.  The last month or so has brought a few storms.  Some mostly ice, others did not disappoint with heavy snow.  Kids have had their 3 snow days and are dreading another storm.  If they can't get to school they will have to remote learn.  Ethan has been lucky.  He dodged all that last year due to still being a homeschooler.  Fiona knows how crappy the remote learning experience is...  I have enjoyed breaking in my new cross country skis.  Scott trots ahead on his snow shoes, and is there to help me up when I take a digger.  (Which I manage to do without fail every time.) 

     Fiona has had a good run the past few weeks.  She found out she won a gold and silver key award in the Scholastic Art competition.  This marks the third year in a row winning at least two awards.  The gold is for a mixed media sculpture and the silver is for a photo.  She has also managed to get her driver's permit.  Now all we have to do is log 70 hours of practice driving before she goes for her license test.  

     Ethan continues to attend three evenings of baseball clinics each week in preparation for spring.  He works at the after school program the other two days a week when he gets home from his school day.  Fiona also works at the same place...but 3 days a week.  I am so proud of the kids.  Managing excellent grades, jobs, sports and friends.  

My sister brought the hounds.

Oh, Olive...

The ice on trees in my parents yard.  Stunning.

Mountain hike in snow.

I swear we are waaaay up high.

Green in the dead of winter.  Amazing.

Leading the way.

Our front yard during storm.

I think I ski slower than I walk...

Sun spot nap!

My amazing down hill run.  I think I hit 2 miles/hour.  Intense.

Sun splat.

Out our front window.  Second storm...

Zainab and I made the yummiest rice empanadas?

Stuffed with veggies and imitation (vegetarian) beef.

This is the before.....

And her after!  Nose piercing!

Same day.  Got her permit!

Something is roaming around our back yard.

Mom thinks it's a coyote.  I'm thinking fox.