Jump Rope for Heart

In memory of Papaw Owens

We miss you

Argh!

Argh!

This little pirate had a special day at preschool.

100 Days of School

Since having Emilia I have felt like I have not been able to do a lot of the fun things I would normally do with the big girls.  One of them being volunteering in their classrooms.  I miss seeing them light up when they see Mom in school.  

I finally got an opportunity to help in Leah's room.  They are preparing for the 100th day of school by painting 100 things of their choosing on their tee shirts.  I was impressed by how well all the kids worked.  They were silly and fun.  Her class seemed a bit louder and more spunky than Ayla's class in kindergarten.  I can tell Leah is a leader in class.  She finished efficiently and happily.  Her teacher asked to help other kids count and finish their 100.  I am very proud of my big girl.   

Great Grandma Howard's Dumplings

1 1/2 c flour

1 egg, beaten

1/4 c milk

1 tsp salt

1/4 c crisco (or butter), melted

Mix all ingredients together.  Separate into working balls, roll out (thin) on a lightly floured surface.  Cut with a pizza cutter.  Drop into boiling broth.

I remember cutting dumplings with my grandma & aunt Lynn.  This was my first time getting the recipe and the memories flooded back.  Thankful to pass this on to my crew,

puddles

My little guy needed to burn some energy.

We got a good snow last week which allowed us to go out and play a bit when we would normally stuck indoors.  The sun came out.  The snow melted.  

The puddles were calling us.

Off on a short walk to get the mail and retrieve our snow sleds from the now muddy hill.

It was enough to see his sweet eyes light up.

Owens Christmas January style

Every year we start the first week of January celebrating Christmas with the Owens family.  And every year it is so much fun.  This year was great because we got Brent's family home for an extended weekend.  There were here for NYE through the weekend festivities.  My kids were over the moon.

Here is the whole crew right before lunch  

We are starting to get more kiddos in the bunch.

tons of noise, laughter, and fun

When I'm bigger

Lately, Abe has reminded us he is still little.

I have to be honest.  Abe can be hard to parent sometimes.  

He is strong willed, full of spunk, and laughs at the thought of consequence.

One day he will boldly stand up for his beliefs and speak his mind.

But, today, he is three.

He boldly stands up to his parents and speaks his mind.  And it just isn't cute.

One thing that Abe does, that bothers me, is yell out at bedtime.  We all the lights are dim and the big girls are trying to sleep Abe will holler out

 "MOM"

 "DAD"

 "I need you" 

You get the idea.

We often go up and tell him one more story or give him a warning for disrupting the quiet.

Last night he hollered out.  Jeff went up to check on him and told him to needed to quiet down and get some rest.  Abe looked his Daddy in the eyes and said,

"when I'm bigger I won't yell at bedtime but I'm still little"

Well played, Abe.

SNOW!

We got our first big snow last night and the kids were thrilled to gear up and head out.  Abe of course with his shovel in hand.  The bigs were ready to sled.  E even got to come out for a few minutes since Daddy was home to help.  

 

Baby's first snow

I love these babes fiercely

Owens crew

We snuck in a surprise picture of the Owens grandkids to give to Grandma tonight at our Christmas celebration.

Fischer with Crosby: 14, 8mo

Ayla, 8 Ridge, 7 Wyatt, 11

Cooper, 3 Abram, 3 Leah,6 & Emilia 10mo

Happy New Year 2016

Here's to another beautiful year!

2015 was packed full of awesome stuff.

So thankful for a new year to do life with my tribe.

Happy 2016

New Years Eve 2015

We had the best time hosting Jeff's brothers for NYE this year.  We wrapped up the year snacking & playing games.

resolutions fir the new year included

growing & running faster

trying hard to help more

learning to read