Leaving Cold Country

Thursday I flew from Phoenix to Albuquerque. We were delayed by almost an hour due to bad weather in California which was coming to Phoenix. I was in a rental car just north of Albuquerque when I got a call from Kadin and Gracie wanting to know when I would be in Los Alamos. They were released from school at 12:30 and had a 2-hour delayed start on Friday because a winter storm was approaching. I didn't run into any problems except slushy roads once I got to LA, arriving around 3 PM. The view from Erik's living room was beautiful but I wouldn't want to live with the cold winter again.
The girls were supposed to have a basketball game on Friday and Saturday but they were cancelled. I was disappointed as it would have been fun to see them. I talked to Kadin's coach Saturday afternoon during Kadin's 9th birthday party. He told me the girls haven't grasped rebounding so if a girl from the other team shoots and the ball comes down by them, they give it back to the girl who just shot. Would have been cute to watch.

One morning, Erik made the girls pancakes. He makes them in the shape of a heart.
Kadin has wanted a dog for years. Erik compromised with a parakeet. Saturday morning we drove to the PetSmart in Santa Fe where she picked out her parakeet. After this one is trained, Gracie will be allowed to get one. I bought the cage they picked out. By Sunday night, he was sitting on their finger or hand. Kadin was very excited.Here's "Blue Raspberry" in his/her cage.
Before her party, Kadin went outside to clean the snow off their trampoline. Here's some video which shows how she turns work into fun.
Sunday was sunny and upper 30's. Not so bad until the wind picked up.Kadin and Gracie spent a couple of hours sledding down a hill on the other side of Erik's house.

Erik and I were cheering for the Vikings but alas, too many mistakes and they pretty much gave the game to the Saints. We'll be cheering for the Saints in the Super Bowl.

Less than an hour until my flight back to Orlando. I'll get home between 8 and 9 PM if all goes according to plan. Arne has been lonely and should be glad to see me. :-)