that's the ticket

Some friends gave us tickets to Silverwood's "dry run" day. It was a beautiful out Saturday, we couldn't have asked for better weather. It was an added bonus when we ran into several families from our ward and made it even more special for the girls to get to run around with their friends. Of course we had to start out with a little glitch in the plan. Ava got herself ready and buckled up in her carseat. When we pulled into the parking lot she said "Uh-oh Mom, I forgot my shoes." So needless to say we were a little behind schedule- but we did eventually get there.

introducing

"RosaBella"

"Nibble"

"Wobble"

The ducks are...well...messy to say the least. They are quickly out growing their box in the house. It is just not warm enough for them to be outside for any length of time. We are keeping our fingers crossed for warmer weather. If the ducklings stay with their mom once they're born, the mom secrets an oil which helps them float until they are old enough to secrete their own oil. So, obviously it is still a little difficult for them to swim. We filled the bathtub up and it was so fun watching them play! Talk about instincts! But they didn't last long. Their down was getting so wet they started to sink. Speaking of instincts... we had them outside the other day and they seemed interested in the other ducks and geese, but once a hawk flew over they scrambled to find a hiding place and huddled together. Cool huh?

In other news, Brett and I donned hairnets and gloves and went to the cannery with the YM & YW Friday night. It was interesting to see how it was all done and we walked away with a couple of cases to get us started with our food storage. Yeah! In between snow storms these past couple of days we got to take our paddleboat on its maiden voyage. It was a little windy, so when Megan and Savannah took over duties we got blown into a mud flat. We eventually worked it out and got a workout of our own coming back up the lake.

baby ducks

There were three little girls who pined for a pet

But their parents said "Not now. Not yet."

So they fussed and they sighed,

They pouted and cried-

"We're the only kids without- on the whole westside!"

Soon their daddy's heart softened and he got creative

Maybe he could find a pet that to the Lake was native.

"That way they could stay, but then go away."

(a pet that would leave by Labor Day!)

"Flying mallards. A beautiful choice!"

And three small voices sang and rejoiced-

"We love you Daddy! We'll take good care!

They'll have plenty of love, food, water - fresh air!"

So our journey begins, but how will it end?

Migrate and fly free? Or, stay and depend?

happy birthday Sheila

It was so nice to get away and see everyone in the Boise area last week. As always, it was a whirlwind of a visit! While there, Ryan treated us to dinner at P.F. Chang to help Sheila celebrate her fabulous 27 + 10 years! She told me she really wanted a nice make-up brush...nice...the kind that won't fall apart and shed as you are trying to use it. Since it was a crazy weekend of garage sales, I asked Brett if he would pick it up for me before her birthday dinner Friday night. I wrote the information down and sent him to the Lancome counter. Once on the road he realized he didn't even know where the Lancome counter was, so he called me I directed him to Macy's; easy enough. Long story short: once Brett got there he was quickly schooled in the choices we make when buying make-up and their applicators. I got a few phone calls and finally told him to just make his best decision. When he got back he was carrying a bag of sample goodies from several of the counters (along with his "best decision blush brush"). So thank you to the women of Lancome at Macy's for helping ease my husband's pain. Freebies seemed to do the trick.