Spring Break this year was a nice week of slowing down.  Kenny took the week off too so we really enjoyed time together as a family. 

We had several days at home to relax – time to play, sleep in, and not keep a schedule.  Typically we celebrate both St. Patrick’s Day & the first day of Spring but this year our calendar didn’t allow that on the exact days.  So, over break we made our traditional corned beef and cabbage with bacon and celebrated both holidays at once.  I didn’t get any pictures but it was nice to continue this tradition.  

We spent a few days in Nebraska as well and enjoyed LOTS of card playing with G’pa & G’ma and a visit to Ole’s in Paxton.  This restaurant/bar has been open for eight decades and showcases over 200 big game mounts from Ole’s worldwide safaris.  We visited this restaurant now and again as kids and it’s been fun to bring James & Anna.  

I have a picture of the kids when they were little in front of this polar bear but couldn’t locate it to compare.

Anna didn’t remember being to Ole’s so she especially loved looking around and taking selfies with all the animals.

G’pa & James sporting matching toothpicks.

I loved to play cards as a kid with relatives at every family gathering. It’s so fun to watch James & Anna love this too. At every free moment they wanted to play!

“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” – Charles Dickens

Sports team day at school

Lazy Saturday morning cinnamon rolls

Our first movie in the theater in over a year!

Friends over to hang out and go sledding with

Anna created a play list of music and led me in my morning walk

Anna & Daddy date night playing games

Passing the time blowing bubbles during James’ drum lesson

Our new favorite school-day protein pancakes

Afternoon light streaming in the windows – so beautiful!

This past weekend a big, spring storm moved through.  It snowed for two days straight and we were home with no schedule to keep.  Glorious.  Kenny and James set up a yardstick in the backyard to track the snow accumulation.  And cousin Luke came to participate in his first snow ball fight and sledding.  So much fun!   

Homemade bread and soup – the perfect meal for a snow storm

There is something deeply gratifying in making bread.  Not quick breads or other baked goods, but real bread.  It is easy and wholesome – not complicated but it does require patience.  Releasing any frustrations while kneading the dough.  Not peeking but letting it stay covered and warm to rise.  The hope it will rise in our high altitude and cold weather.  The satisfaction of pulling it out of the oven and admiring the beautiful loaves.  And finally, the kids gathered round, watching me slice it and hearing their oohs and aahs.  Then the moment of truth – the first person to take a bite – James – announcing that “It’s really good bread, Mom”.  I take a bite and agree and am so thankful and relieved it turned out.  I feel like Ma Ingalls – the snow blowing cold outside and piling up while I’m making bread for the family.  So crazy to have all these feelings about bread, but I so enjoy processing life in words and thought, so why not analyze bread making too?  This recipe is a keeper and I’ll be making it again soon.  

Girls Night – nails & a movie

Kenny and the kids worked so hard through the weekend to stay on top of snow removal.

Using binoculars to check the yardstick to see how many inches we have

A foot of snow by the end!