Family Mellmann

Patrick has been taking ski lessons through the "park and ride" program at school. This is his second year and since he really enjoys it I thought it would be fun to take him skiing during his winter break from school. However, the place where he usually skis is closed this week (seems like a silly time to be closed) so I decided to give one of the ski resorts a try...there are, after all, just a few around here. :) We decided on Smuggler's Notch because it is known for its family friendliness and since I would have Katherine with me I wanted to find a place where Katherine could play in the snow or sled, or something, while Patrick skied. Check out our pictures and see how we did. Skiing Smuggler's Notch .

Dancing, walking, and partying...just a few of the things you will find in the latest update on the Mellmann website . Enjoy the new pictures.

Katherine started taking a dance class in January. It started a little rough - new things are not really her favorites as she is more of a schedule-and-routines kind of girl - but she quickly learned how dance class worked...highly motivated by her love of movement and music. Now she thinks she's the cat's meow out there in her leotard and tights. Shoulders back and head up high she is ready to dance!

While I was working in the kitchen I noticed several deer coming into view from the depths of the forest. By the time they all arrived there were about fifteen of them. They lingered for a while, some even laid down under the trees for a rest. I think we have three or four "families" of deer. There seems to be a family of two, a family of three, and a family of five for sure. I think we also have a family of eight. Most of the time the "families" travel together (I'll see only two, or only three or only five), but seldom do the families travel with each other (like today when I get to see so many deer at once...clearly representing multiple families). I haven't done that much research, but it almost appears that they just "agree" to not visit the same area at the same time. These two seem to be their own family. I often see the two of them here.

I have posted more pictures...ALREADY! I know. I know. You're thinking, "But it hasn't even been two weeks yet!" Crazy, isn't it? Now don't go getting all used to this kind of quick update. I wouldn't want you to get...y'know...spoiled or something. Hey, I even put in some video. So this should hold you until my next update in...say...August. :) Enjoy. " AHHHHHH! Can you believe it? Mama did a web update again?!"

Although our windows are closed up tight and we cannot hear the hammering, I did manage to spot two giant Pileated Woodpeckers in the trees of our back yard. By the time I got the camera out and had the zoom lens attached the second one had disappeared, but I did manage to capture a few pictures of the remaining bird trying to drum up some grub in this tree.