In like a lamb

March already? The weather keeps playing games. One day it's a beautiful, balmy 50 (or 70!) and the next day the high is below freezing. I keep getting excited for spring only to be let down as the reality of the season shows its face. Rick got a smoker for his birthday from his parents (thanks!) and he's itching to use it and I can't wait to eat it! He's such a good cook and I love barbecue... can't wait!

Spring would be a welcomed change for Darby too--our occasional walks on nice days just aren't enough for her puppy-ish energy. She's pretty good at being low-key in the house, but there's only so much she can repress herself and needs fairly regular rough-housing time. She's getting bigger too. I haven't pulled her on to the scale lately--that requires me to get on the scale with her and although she's a very tolerant dog she clearly doesn't enjoy me picking her up to weigh her. I think she's filling out and starting to look more mature, as silly as it sounds. I am so glad we have her trained on the basics; she's a bigger puppy now and I can't imagine how much of a terror she would be if she didn't know (and obey) the basics of sit and stay. She seems very comfortable in her body though and isn't clumsy and knocking things over like a lanky teenager, so at least she's not destructive!

Went snow tubing last weekend and to the hockey game. Been riding Maggie quite a bit lately which is a nice release. Work is still ramping up for the summer so I guess I'll take the slow time before it gets crazy! Otherwise, life has been pretty quiet. The biggest news from us is that we booked a European vacation yesterday! We're doing a guided tour: starts in London, goes to Brussels, through Germany with a stop at Neuschwanstein, Austria, and then an Alpine train ride. A stop at Lake Como in Italy, then to Switzerland and it ends with 2 nights in Paris! I am so excited! Rick has never been to Europe and though I've been to Germany and Austria I haven't been to any of the other countries. I can't wait until this fall when we get to put new stamps in my passport!