Valentines Cards for People We Love

Jimmy's Guitar

My mom bought Jimmy a guitar for Christmas.

He has been getting a few lessons from one of the guys at church and practicing a lot on his own. It's hard work but he has been practicing and hopefully will pick it up and be able to play a few songs.

It would be great to have him get together with other people who can play and make music. I am one of the few people in the family that has zero musical ability.

Oh, wait - I could play the recorder in grammer school if that counts for anything :0)

2011 Blizzard

Feb 1 - 2 we got the biggest blizzard since 1999.

Here are some pictures:

Yes, that is snow in our house! (I guess our back porch needs to be insulated better! Ha!)

And, yes, that is a car in our neighbors yard, ugh!

thrift shopping

i'm so hooked! this is my new hobby... it's kind of like hunting, but less mess.

Today was my day

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me...
Today I turned another page in the books. Page 32 to be exact. It feels good. Like any other day, but a little smarter. A little wiser. I wasnt to sure about this aging thing when I was younger. 29 really freaked me out not knowing what I would feel like at 30. Which its funny cuz I decided it is your state of mind that will determine your outlook.

I have come to understand that what goes in, is what you get out of yourself.
So, here on this day, I am happy. Enjoying my family. My house. My life. Excited to see what the future holds but content to live here. In this moment. Being blessed.

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star wars party prep

i wasn't at the lock-in, it must have been for cool jr. high kids only, but i did get to see the pooch beg for a treat and make the cupcakes.

Love is...

Payton's Valentines Day Heart Project was collaged and printed, then cut out and pasted to the heart and decorated with yarn, stickers, glitter and paper. He chose the pictures and the words that are important to him. Words that remind him of L-O-V-E. He and I enjoyed working on this project together.
He was proud to bring it to school to display in the hallway.

Praying for those involved

UPDATE:

We did hear unfortunate news that one of the drivers of one of the cars in this accident was killed last night. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Such a horrible tragidy. Our hearts go out to the family and the freiends of the deceased.

You can read the rest of the story here.

We saw this on our way to Awana tonight. It happened a few blocks away from church. We heard someone might not have survived. Whoever you are, we are praying for you.

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1st ice skating class

Reagan started ice skating class this month and is having a great time. she is with one of her friends and since their last names are close in the alphabet, they are in the same class. there are a few groups in the class and it's nice to have 1 teacher for every five kids or so. she is learning to get on the ice (the crawling picture), stand up and fall safely, steady herself if she gets wobbly, and now in the 3rd week, they are learning to touch their head, shoulders, knees and toes as they skate across the rink. I hope she keeps at it and enjoys her time on the ice. Maybe we'll have an olympic star ;0)

Not Tired

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Ice fishing

One of my least favorite seasons is winter. There is nothing fun about freezing cold temperatures, whipping winds and blustering breezes. Brrr. I hibernate, become frozen (no pun intended) and inable to do anything outside for almost 4 months. No dog walking, running...nothing. On a very rare ocassion, I will be forcibly dragged from the comfort of my kitchen and stove outside to sled or shovel or make a snowball.
So this picture is of my mom, who became an adopted cheesehead this year and in the cold, miserable north woods, went ice fishing.
Kudos to you mom. It would have to be about 35 - 40 degrees for me to get out there, but then the ice would probably be weak and I would fall through. Then be much more cold and much more miserable. Which is a good reason to stay inside and warm.
Beautiful fish, I hope he tasted as good as he looks!

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Awards Banquet

Here are a few great shots from during the season:

Leftover Lunch

I am seriously the left-over lunch lady. I ~L-O-V-E ~ left overs. I usually cook way more than I need to just to make sure I can eat it again.
I know some people think left overs are gross, but I can't think of anything betting than really enjoying a meal and then knowing you will be able to savor the same wonderful taste again soon.
Plus having items ready available in the fridge is time saving and inspiring when preparing the next meal. Kind of like a meal plan without too much planning.
So here's to my sweet potato, green beans and shrimp stir fried rice. Cheers!

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Sweetest Christmas Card Ever

This was my gift from Rea. It was a handmade card and bag in one. She bought me a small bear and made a picture frame at school.
The note is what choked me up though. I am thrilled that she loves school. After watching Payton struggle with missing his family his whole kdg year, it is such a relief she its loving her first year experience.
As for Payton, he is doing just fine at school these days.

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Wild dingos

Cali pretended she was princess amedela for a piece of beef jerkey.

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Gingerbread House New Year' Day

Happy New Year! On the 1st day of 2011, Hansel and Gretel were still lost in the woods so Jimmy, Payton and Reagan had to defeat the old witch and claim victory over the house in the woods.

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Sledding kind of day

Reagan & Payton

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Jimmy & Reagan

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Cali got presents too

Cal's fox was headless, footless, tail-less, pretty much dead. So for Christmas, we picked out a new fox and wrapped it up for her to open.
Reagan and payton helped her open the package and while she was waiting for Jim to take the tags off, she could barely contain herself.
We are so thankful for Cali. She is such a good girl.

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Shopping for $10 kids jeans at Old Navy

Rea was so excited to sit next to this dog in the dressing room.
Payton, not so much.

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Christmas Morning Fun

Surprisingly, the kids let us sleep until about 7:30. It was a good thing since Jim and I had way to much coffee the night before and were up until 2am.

Jimmy was very helpful passing out the presents. Since he is the oldest, he opened his last.

Payton took time from his regularly scheduled playing to make a fake smile for the camera.

Rea was thrilled with all of her gifts. Lots and lots of crafts to make!

Even Cal enjoyed watching the kids open their gifts.
She was happy to get a new bone, a new fox and new leash. Lucky dog! (picture to come)

Ready for a fun buddy kind of day

Rea is all ready for school and the gift giving day with her classes' buddies.
What a great way to show our appreciation for another little girl who spends time each week with our precious cargo. Teaching, reading, writing and becoming a friend.
We hope you like your gift Jane!

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FxCam_1292258791040.png

FxCam_1292258791040.png, originally uploaded by frogverde.

Mmm... White castle

Ornaments

We made these ornaments for our friends and family for Christmas this year. They went with the hot chocolate we made. Or as Payton calls it, snowman soup, and Reagan adds 'with snowman poop' (the marshmallows.) Unbielably, I didn't take 1 photo of the ornaments.

But here is the recipe so we can make them again.

Homeade ornaments

Preheat oven to 300 degrees

Mix together 2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 cup water

Knead together.
Roll out and cut with cookie cutters.
Brush with beaten egg. (use food coloring & paint brushes to make special)
Use a toothpick to make a hole at the top of each ornament before baking.

Christmas tree surprise

Christmas tree surprise, originally uploaded by frogverde.

Jim surprised us with a Christmas tree yesterday. When we came home from school and work it was up and smelling very piney! It's opening up nice. Cal is nibbling it with her front teeth so her snout smells like pine. We'll put the ornaments and lights on this weekend. Payton wanted Max the monkey to see it too!
Happy Friday!

one birthday girl

We celebrated reagan's birthday in cupcake style. the boys wished her a happy birthday and she was happy to make a wish of her own!

2010-12-04 10.46.44.jpg

2010-12-04 10.46.44.jpg, originally uploaded by frogverde.