Charlie Fun

I had to capture this picture of Charlie spotting the cat outside. She loves messing with Soda the cat. This is also what she does when we are leaving in the van. She stays in the laundry room while we are gone so she sadly watches us pull out of the drive way. She's getting very big and is the sweetest dog. Ammon loves to pick on her...but she's getting way bigger then him...

My friend Melissa just got a dog a few weeks ago, named Simon, and brought him over to play with Charlie. Oh such a neat thing happened...Charlie is usually very submissive and afraid of other dogs. But she opened up with Simon. Yes, we haven't allowed her to socialize too much, that takes a lot of time, nearest dog park is a good 20 min drive, but with Simon being the sweet boy he is, he reminded her she was a dog and not a human kid. They ran around and played. She was still a bit apprehensive, but did so well after only one day.

So I had Melissa come over today with Simon to see how it goes...and even better! Not only did they run and fetch and play together, but they would even wrestle and play bite. It was so entertaining and I felt like a proud mom, that 'my baby was growing up'. This dog went from, scared of any other dog to holding her own and even taking charge a few times. We caught them running through the creek and playing in the muddy waters. I didn't care, they were having so much fun together.

Reaching Goals

This is something my 12 yr old daughter made. She has made a goal this year to purchase something that will cost a bit of money. So she wanted to start babysitting. She has done a little with Missy and Troy's kids, so she felt confident enough to branch out. She mailed these out and I have heard several say they had received it. That same weekend she got her first gig. She was ecstatic!! I was so excited for her! She has high hopes to reach her goal.

I'm proud of her taking her goals to a new level. As a family we have planned out our goals, and so far many have already begun and progressed to reaching their goals.

Book Worms

I had to post this. Every other week I go to the library to keep the book selection fresh. The girls got off the bus and just sat down where the bag of books were and just vegged. I love how the dog joined in.

Cooking Ideas

Lately, I have felt we were in a slump with dinners. Sometimes fast and easy becomes rice and noodles...so I figured it was time to look through all my Kraft magazines I had been getting for years. I'm a visual person, so I needed a picture to decide. Thanks to all those on Facebook as well for a few ideas and recipes.

Since I had been working part time in the evenings, Trent has been cooking...this is not a bash on Trent, because he is an awesome cook, but I felt I needed to take back my role as mom and provider in that area. I'm actually excited. Hopefully that will continue after a few weeks.

First, Alyson Bray told me about this fantastic, healthy smoothie that the kids will drink...and they do! It is a spinach smoothie, but I don't call it that to them. I didn't let them see what I was doing the first time, out of fear they wouldn't even try it! But all it is is spinach leaves, Almond milk, a whole banana, and frozen berries. I've also sneaked in a little protein powder. It starts out green but ends up purple so the kids didn't know. They now know because they help me make it and they will still drink it. I don't do this too much, I don't want them to get sick of it. Most of these items come with my co-op so it's kept me stocked.

Next, I have found this Lasagna Roll up. This recipe doesn't have any meat, and I didn't have any at the moment. But I do have a chicken Lasagna recipe too. Hey, can't cut all the noodles out of the dinner rotation, right?! This was fast and easy, especially with Missionaries to feed.

I've made mini meatloaves, Chili (yum) and many more. I love this and can't wait to try more. And of course these are fast and easy, or else I wouldn't even consider it.

Caught In The Act

Jarom's Primary teacher had challenged their class to read the Book Of Mormon this year. She gave them a chart to follow on their own, and this is what I found the other night. I'm so proud to see him excited to find moments to get more reading in. The first week he was done with 1Nephi and determined to get more reading done. Turns out his whole class had done some reading...and this class has a few kids in it that make it notorious for being a crazy class. Thank you Sis. Bray for being a great teacher to these kids and helping them recognize the difference the spirit can make in their lives.

Family Hiking @ Cochran Mill

Last weekend it was a beautiful weekend, despite a few rain drops. We decided to get out and enjoy nature while we can. This winter has already been abnormal with several warm days then several bitter cold days...on and off again. So we took off to Cochran Mill and went for an easy stroll. Raegan also brought her friend Lindsey.

Charlie loved coming along. Creeks, and rocks to explore.

I was lucky I got this picture. Getting everyone to stay still and cooperate is tough...and my propping up skills need some help...sorry about your head Rian. I think the camera slipped while I pushed the timmer and ran.

We stopped at the dam to rest and have a snack/lunch. Charlie wasn't too happy to be tethered so she just sat where she wanted.

What a woman Rian is becoming...I know senior pictures are just around the corner.

Finished the hike. Such a fun time we all had. Lindsey and Raegan are such cute friends.

Gone Fishing

Catching up the Blog...we all need a break now and then...but lots to report.

Back in November......

Ammon and Jarom went fishing with Daddy at Lake Redwine since the Father and Son Camp out was postponed. They didn't catch anything, but definitely loved their time together!

M Den, The Big House

Trent should be the one posting this one...
Saturday after Thanksgiving, Trent and his brother Troy had an incredible opportunity to go...not to just any game, but the Michigan vs Ohio State game at the Big House! What an awesome memory! Just wish I could have gone to see his face glowing the entire game (good thing they won!) But the kids did get to see him on the TV screen for ...wait for it... 2 whole seconds! Raegan still talks about how she saw her dad on TV! The kids knew he wasn't coming back with any kind of voice...raspy as ever!

They tried to get up front seats, but then there were issues with other people and seats, so they started checking tickets...but still not bad of a view. They loved being in the student section. Afterwards, it was a mad house of Maize and Blue on the field with the victory over the Buckeyes. Very cool.

Jingle Bell Run

In December...

The annual Jingle Bell Run at Peachtree City Elementary school fund raiser. Trent sat this one out with Ammon so the rest of us could run the 5K. This was Tarin and Raegan's first 5K and I was so proud of how strong they finished!

After the race, we all rested and ate apples and bananas on the playground. A lot of the ward was involved so it was fun talking with them afterwards too.

Baking Time

My greatest assistant of all time...

I learned how to make rolls. I don't know why I've had a hard time before, but a friend so graciously let me come over and we made rolls and soup together. The roll recipe comes from the Lion House in Salt Lake. Wow, they are good. So I had to try them on my own...hoping I wouldn't mess them up. But I think they turned out great!

Being December, it also meant making goodies, once again, my assistant and I make lots and lots of plates of goodies for neighbors and friends.

Oh this was also an over kill with me indulging as well...

Charlie!!

Crazy dog has found her way into being a little mischievous twin to Ammon...with claws and sharper teeth that is. She is a cute puppy and as of January 3rd, she is 7 months old but she has really has tried my patience. Let's just say I'm never doing the puppy thing again. So there was a time I seriously wanted to just get rid of her. Our "things" aren't very nice anyway, but to have a dog chew, slobber, pea and shed hair on them, it makes it hard to love her. But our kids (Rian wrote and the kids signed) a decree pleading for us to keep the dog.

Despite the cuteness of the letter, it wasn't what saved her. A friend convinced me to try a shock collar and I decided to put more of a chore chart together. So for Christmas, Charlie got a shock collar and more responsibility fell on the kids. She's still a puppy and does things, but it's a little better then it was. She's a beautiful dog and I have hope that she will be better as she gets older.

Christmas Time

Christmas was fun because there was more family around. Troy & Kristin and their kids and Missy & Nick with the boys made it feel more like the holidays. The more the Merrier!

The kids opened up their PJ's and then we acted out the nativity. I love doing this. It was a great Christmas!

Yes, my little boy is becoming more like his daddy...goofy! Christmas being on Sunday, we were getting ready for 1pm church (love the later time that day). Ammon decided to put on my swim cap. It was a funny moment!!

To top off the season, we had Gma and Gpa Wardwell come into town for a few days and enjoyed New Years with them and the family. It was so wonderful to have them visit and show their love and appreciation for us and the kids. We love you guys!!

Little Shinner

Back to January...

My poor little Tarin! She once again had a run in with the Jump2It place. Last time she almost broke her wrist. This time it was hitting a wall while jumping around. It looks worse then it was. But she was embarrassed by it. I thought it was kind of cute! She did this two days before school was back in session, so I put eye shadow on the other eye to make it not so obvious. She was happy with that.

Wind Damage

The other day there were wind advisories for the entire day. It wasn't really bad until that evening, but we still went out as a family in the van to do a few things. But when we returned home, we saw the basketball hoop had fallen over onto the car! These pictures are the next morning, because from our first assessment (in the dark), it looked like it completely missed the car. Looking at it now, we have no idea how there wasn't more damage! The window should have shattered! I'm just glad this was the only damage. What a blessing!

That is the end our our Blog Update...