Ahhh, there's nothing like SPRING in the Bear Lake Valley!

So, I have been browsing through a few of your blogs, and chatting with a few of you about you're lovely spring weather.  I sighed with pleasure at the pictures Sheena had of blossoms and Miles in the park with their 70's weather...congratulated Shaun's parents today about how their lawn is starting to green up ever so nicely...Suzanne was even out hanging up rugs on the line the other day...spring has sprung!  Isn't it wonderful!  Just so I can make each of you equally jealous, I thought I would also share some of our pictures of spring in the Bear Lake Valley, so you can be equally jealous.  I just barely came in from taking these:

 These were taken standing on the steps right out my front door so you can partake of the breathtaking view that we get to gaze upon every singe day!!!  In case you can't see all the detail, it is actually snowing BIG, FLUFFY flakes too! 

Yes, those piles of snow in the distance from the neighbors plowing out their driveways are about 6 to 8 feet tall, but have melted quite a bit this spring!

 The boys were so excited to be able to jump on the trampoline.  They were doing flips off if it into the nice soft snow!  For some reason, they haven't touched the other equipment yet?

And this is my clothesline.  I'm still just too lazy to go hang out any clothes yet.

If these pictures do not make you envious enough, know that it was a balmy 44 degrees the very moment I snapped these pictures.  The boys have been so excited to be able to go out and ride their bikes.  One day they even made it a whole 30 minutes before it started to snow again and they came back in soaked and frozen to the bone!  So, I'm just letting you all know that if your spring weather is not quite up to snuff, you are all invited at any time to come visit us!  Just give us a quick ring to let us know you're on your way so we can make sure and clear the sidewalks.  Mind you hurry and make it before April 15th though, because the local radio man swears all this snow will be gone by then!

P.S.  Just a forewarning...you may also see the Tobler family suddenly appear on your doorstep in shorts and sandals before then, wanting to roll in your green grass the way my boys did one spring when we went to Shaun's parents (since it had been SO LONG since they'd seen anything green)!

His name...WALDO...I mean Merlin!

Our family is addicted to this BBC series, "Merlin"!  This picture is even actually my wallpaper right now.  We've just finished the second season via Netflix and are dying for more.  But, alas, the 3rd season is airing right now, and of course we do not get it, so we have to wait clear until January again.   RRRRRR!!

When the Nelson's were here, we got them all addicted to it too.  During the intro, it says this line, "His name...MERLIN!"  I think it was Tucker that was talking about it while they were here and said something about watching "Waldo" again, so that is now what we say every time we hear the intro!!  Only if you really know me and my struggle with finding the right words can you truly appreciate the humor our family finds in that!!  Our family is all so jealous of the Nelson's now though because they are getting to watch season 3 right now.  We all proclaim it NOT FAIR!!

Any-hoo, to anyone looking for a great series, check this one out!  You can watch previous seasons on the their home site on the internet as well.  Shaun's sister, Marilee, got us started on it. 

"But WE'RE not Irish!"

This is the response I got from Shaun when I informed him that for St. Patrick's Day I was going to make corned beef and cabbage for supper.  My mom used to make it quite often when I was growing up, and I don't ever remember being revolted by the idea, so I thought, WHY NOT? Just for fun, we'll do it!  Well, as too many days often go, it was crazy and I wasn't home in time to get it in the pot.  So SADLY we had other green food instead.  Shaun did not seem disappointed until I informed him it was on for the next day's din-din! 

I frankly did not know what I was doing, and mine did not look like this picture.  I had it all mixed together and in edible sizes.  I was pretty sure Seth was going to like it because cabbage is one of his favorite veggies (go figure), and is a carnivore, but I was unsure about the rest of the troop.

Well, EVERYONE liked it.  Yes, even my Shaun-boy admitted it was tasty enough and I could make it again!  Might make a great Sunday dinner in place of roast on occasion since the cooking process is similar.  So, corned beef and cabbage has been added to the menu...at the very least for St. Patrick's Day.  GO IRISH!!

Oh, for the love of PIE!

I just wanted to say how much I love pie!  I know that's a totally random thought, but there you have it.  That's how this ole' brain of mine works.  I had to make two pies yesterday for Seth's class since they were celebrating Pi-Day (the mathematical one).  After sampling all the other pies that were there, I was reminded how much I really like pie.  It is one of the simple pleasures in this life that makes me really happy.  Fruity, nutty, pumpkin, cream, it's ALL good.  So, to honor my love for pie, I decided that the Tobler house will celebrate Pi-Day (March 14, if you care), by eating homemade pie/pies on that day from now until I grow sick of it...which, as of right now, does not appear to be a problem if you consider how fast the left over pies disappeared.  The only real threat I can see to this great plan is my constant battle with laziness.  In that case, there are lots of ways to cheat.  So, next year at this time you will hear the Tobler household demanding, BRING ON THE PI...I mean PIE!!

Yo-Ho, Yo-Ho, A pirates life for me!

Meet Pedro and her fellow pirate!   ARRRRRRRG!Megan and Callen both performed last night in the middle school play, " 'Treasure Island' a wacky pirate play".  They both did a great job and it was fun to watch!  Ryan and Seth laughed right out loud many times, but at the end of the play, Seth pronounced it a "weird play".  I had to explain to him that that was the whole point of the thing!  Megan's done the play all three years of middle school and looks forward to more drama in high school (hoping it only comes on stage and not with friends).  She would love to play an evil part some day.  She says that way you get to act all mean and nasty, but know that you're really just a great person still.  Callen, of course, has always loved to entertain a good audience and I'm sure the future will hold more performing for him as well!  BRAVO!

I had plenty of opportunities to get great pictures of Callen as he seemed to migrate to the front edge of the stage-Thank you, son!  He was very animated and really got into his role!  He mentioned to Megan and I that he couldn't believe we could stand having long hair after wearing his wig.  Thankfully, the real deal isn't as scratchy and uncomfortable.  Maybe this will help him avoid wanting to have the shaggy-mutt look!

Megan was a bit more aloof, but I was still able to track her down! Such a cute little pirate-ess!