YA KNOW, THERE'S SNOW

We woke up to snow this morning. The weatherman actually got it right. Historically, February is consistently our "weird weather month". We can have really warm days, hail, snow, mega rainy or super cold clear days. I took the first 3 pictures at 7:30 am.

The berry net.

Our new baby trees are probably thinking, "Where's the nursery greenhouse? IT'S COLD OUT HERE!!"

Then I took the next 2 pictures at 8am. You can see there quite a bit more snow just 1/2 an hour later.

I had a feeling the snow was going to be too heavy for the anti deer netting for the berries. Guess we'll be repairing that this weekend.

Although, I can't be too upset. It rarely snows this hard and it is so beautiful.

SWEET LITTLE SEEDLINGS

Jim, Kevin and I planted 40 little Douglas Fir seedlings on Saturday. We ordered them about a month ago, then went to the fairgrounds and picked them up on Saturday morning. We rented a gas powered auger with a 10" drill bit. Jim and Kevin dug 40 holes in less than 2 hours.

I got the seedlings planted in 3 hours.

Here's our "firstborn".

Here's about 30 of the 40 little guys. You have to look hard to see them. Kevin mowed this portion of the field, so the grass wouldn't be higher than the baby trees. As you can see, we are continuing a tree line that goes to the main road. There are about 80 of the full grown trees.

A video of this nifty hole digger. It was awesome!!

I'm sure there a mortality rate for these little seedlings, but I don't know what it is. If all 40 live more than 2 years, I'm going to change my e-mail address to kathypaulbunyuncoverstone@comcast.net

SPRINGING FORTH

As Kevin has been clearing brush, blackberries, limbing and cutting trees, he has found about a dozen springs. This one is the most active. Last summer we trenched a path to the pond. You can see the spring in the foreground, trenches on both sides and the pond in the upper left, just beyond the trees.

It just amazes me that it can just come up out of the ground, with such force.

This weekend, Jim and I went to a 2-hour outdoor class in the rain. It was in Eugene at Thistledown Farms. It was on pruning fruit trees and blueberries. The information and handout were very good and we learned a lot standing in the rain and mud with our umbrellas.
I forgot to bring my camera to Thistledown Farms, but I want to go back in the spring. The place had a big country barn store and in Fall they have a pumpkin patch event.

METAMORPHOSIS

Kevin's face has gone through some big changes. This was his face 2 years ago.

This has been his face for the last year.

He decided to get rid of the facial hair. This was the beginning.

And this is what he looks like now. He such a handsome guy.

Metamorphosis!

HAPPY DOUBLE DIGIT BIRTHDAY, SOPHIA

Sophie turned 10 years old on Jan. 8th. We stole the 3 grandkids from their dads on Tues., the 4th to celebrate Sophie's birthday. We went to the bowling alley and bowled a few games, ate dinner and played in the video game room.

Addy brought along her new Christmas present, the I-touch. As you can see Alex and even grandpa had to play with it while waiting their turn to bowl.
We had fun in the video game room.

We had cupcakes and

presents. Sophie got an American Doll for Christmas and this present is for the doll.

Afterward, the girls' dad wasn't home yet, so we dropped in on Penny. She used to be Sophie's daycare provider. Sophie loves to go visit her when Sophie comes to Oregon. We had a nice visit with Penny, catching up on old times.

Happy Birthday double digit girl. At 10 years old, you passed me up in height, but I still love you, grandma.

Sophie playing Sophie almost getting a spare.

Sophie scores on grandpa.

CHRISTMAS DAY! HOORAY!

We woke up Christmas morning at Ryan and Crystal's house.

Then went to Chris and Kelly's house for about an hour, to see what Santa brought them and their other gifts.

Some of the grandkids goodies.

Christmas afternoon, we went with Crystal's family to Ryan's parents house for a yummy Christmas feast.

and then relaxed

and watched "Despicable Me".

It was a wonderful Christmas week in CA. Thank you to the Smiths and Burks for putting us up. On the 26th we headed back to OR with the 3 oldest grandkids so they could spend the next 2 weeks with their dads.

Hope your Christmas was good and as fun as ours. Happy New Year!!!

CHRISTMAS EVE

We had the Coverstone Christmas on Christmas eve, so both of the girls could have Christmas Day with their in-laws. Here's our cute Christmas crew.

First, the grandkids opened the presents from Jim, Kevin and I.

The adults drew a name at Thanksgiving to give a present to at Christmas. Kelly drew my name and she gave me this cute handmade apron and "Minute to Win It" Wii game.

We ate a delicious lunch.

And had some major R & R in the afternoon.

In the evening, Kelly's kids got to open 2 presents from their parents--the traditional Christmas PJs and these Coke bottles to start saving their spare change. Chris had one that he'd been saving in for about 20 years and it had almost $900.00 in it!

On Christmas eve night, we went back to Crystal's house and the kids set out Santa's plate. Milk, cookies, and a carrot for the reindeer.

And then they were all nestled and sound in their beds, waiting for Santa's arrival. They all slept together on Christmas eve night in Payton's room.