..by the way

 I did not do very good at keeping up with Aubrey's basketball season.  The entire season I was frustrated with most of the games.  I would take pictures and then not be motivated to put them on the blog.  Our team did not play good consistently, nor did they seem to improve as a team BUT Aubrey did much better than last year, had good stats and made 1st team all District. ( I know it sounds like they might actually form a team and play a game, but they don't - it's  an honorable  mention done by all the coaches in the District)   

melting fast where there's sun

Spring just might come to Malad,yet.  Even makes one think of Easter!  As a Stake,(and I think even as a Temple District) we have fasted and prayed for the moisture needed to replenish the "life giving" water for the reservoirs.  Hopefully the snow is full of the needed moisture.   

Dad cam home from the Bank with these eggs.  Someone comes in and leaves eggs once in a while and no one wanted this carton.  I think they are so way cool, yummy and so colorful.

The snow on the shady side of the house is still quite deep.

Malad winter

I thought I'd post some pictures of this winter.  The snow is nice and deep, and the ice cycles get epic at times.  Notice the snow is almost as deep (high) in front of the house as the porch rail.  We are grateful for the needed moisture the snow brings, and we have a very nice neighbor with a 4 wheeler and plow that shows up unasked to clean the driveway anytime we have a big snow.  He is a good man.  Love to all.  Dad

gathering,honoring and celebrating Grandpa Bluth

(Sorry I could not get this photo to be correct. ) 

We gathered from far and near to  have the funeral services and final resting place for grandpa. The pics above show the late evening hotel activity as we all arrived in the "Valley".  Did not get a picture of Marci coming in after midnight.

 I thought it was cool that the church owns this cemetery

 The vehicle was a very fancy Escalade with gobby Catholic figures of Christ.  Grandpa would have appreciated the "mexican" flair.  

 

  Grandma was sad when we went to the cemetery a few days later. The day of the funeral people were still moving the dirt with  machinery and prier to that, those who wanted, shoveled dirt down in the hole.
 Her first words were "Oh, here is my sweetheart".  We had also been going through things at the house and that was hard also. 

I just had to put on this final one with dusty ol' Dublan in the background. Several old trucks drove by while we were at the cemetery and got the dust going.

we've got some color

 Every year after I take down the Christmas decorations, Aubrey say's that everything looks plain.  So, I went in to Hobby Lobby with the money Chelsea and Grandma King gave me and bought some "color" to go in the big window seal in this house.  We aren't stopping here.  Oh no!  Aubrey is going to sew pillows for the couches ( which we are enjoying ever so much - thank you Kleinmans)  and old picture frames are going to be spruced up.

night sledding

We wanted to do something memorable on Marci's last day home.  Most of us had been sick since around New Years and it was JUST DARN COLD outside.  The weather warmed up to the high 20's, and a gentle snow had fallen most of the day , so we went night sledding.  Marci was the brave one to go first down  into the darkness. 

 We just had 2 working sleds and had to take turns.  I am working on getting more sleds. 

I was bundled up and later took off  the camo-jacket, thus sporting my Arkansas sweatshirt.  I was super warm the entire time. 

 Walking up the small hill was a heart pumping event, but with 2 sleds one could recover before it was your turn again. 

Marci would entertain herself  in between taking pictures.

 Two on the sled!

We  made snow angels.(Dad)

Lucy

Marci

 Aubrey was very sore because of gym class.  She moaned and groaned while making her angel.

All four angels.  

 We  pulled  someone on the sled while headed for home. 

Aubrey went first.

We all got a turn, but Marci and Aubrey were  talented to take a picture of me while they held on to the rope, shone the flashlight on me, and took  pictures.