Fun at the Park!

We have had some BEAUTIFUL weather lately! We have not had much of a winter at all and I'm loving it! I'm guessing we will have one more cold spell before spring, but we shall see.

I have been taking the kids to the park most days that it is pretty. Logan has become full boy lately, not that he wasn't before, but he is getting pretty rough around the house. He loves climbing onto chairs and then onto tables. I've about had several heart attacks lately! His favorite place to hang out is still the fireplace. Keeping this house in one piece is nearly impossible these days! I've definitely learned not to be so uptight. I just don't have a choice anymore. Gabe probably wonders what happened to Mrs. Tidy.

I thought this pic of the kids at the church playground was precious! Definitely a framer!

Big Cedar

Gabe had a PT Rehab Net Business Owners' meeting in Branson this weekend. I always go to the retreat with him each year. Gabe has meetings most of the day and I get to shop, nap, eat, or just do whatever I want. It's a real treat and I always look forward to going each year. This was our first time to ever go to Big Cedar and we loved it! The grounds are so neat and beautiful! I worked out in their fitness center the first day we were there and was so impressed! Every piece of equipment was brand new and the treadmills and ellipticals had TV screens. Pretty posh!

We spent some time at the outlet mall, The Landing, and some time driving down the strip. Branson was hit by a tornado a day before we arrived. Numerous theatres and businesses were damaged, but most of Branson was up and running.

A big shout out to Aunt Melissa, Grandma & Grandma, and Grammy & Papa who graciously took care of the kids while we were gone. It sure is a blessing to have all of our family in the same town!

Madison's 3rd Birthday with Dora!

Madison turned THREE years old on the 19th. We celebrated with lots of family and a couple of friends last night. The biggest hit of the party with Dora! Madison and all of the kids had a blast! Check it out!

Time Out

Here he is...at almost 18 months....in time out.This is first time out at home. He's sat in time out several times at Fit Kids (the nursery at the Fitness Center) for hitting and pulling hair. I still can't believe he will actually sit in a chair and not get up. I have tried it once before at home and it did not work. But, after hearing the director of Fit Kids tell me about him staying in his time out chair I decided to give it one more try.

Logan's favorite thing to climb all around these days is our fireplace. He tries to climb up on the brick and open and shut the doors to the fireplace. I literally tell him to get down probably 10 times a day. I spank him and get him down, but he gets right back up. So, I just tried putting him in time out and it seems to have worked. He did not go back to the fire place!

So, we'll see!

My Valentine

Chocolate Goodness! These miniature trifles are sure to make my Valentine go weak in the knees! This is one of Gabe's favorite desserts.

This year is our 4th Valentine's Day together as a married couple. It's been tradition for Gabe to take me out to eat and for me to cook him a special meal each year to celebrate Valentine's Day. I usually pull out a special table cloth that was given to us by a dear friend. It is monogrammed with the date we got engaged and the date we got married. Gabe used it the night he propose and I try to pull it out each year, along with our china. However, it's getting harder and harder to do with kids. This year he requested a shrimp boil and trifle. So, no china or special table cloth this year. But, don't worry. Both will be brought out soon!

I know that I don't say it enough, but I really do love you, Gabe, with all my heart. I know that I don't always "act" like I'm in love with you, but my loyalty to you is strongern now tha ever. As long as you don't ask me to give up my shrimp or crab legs, I'd do anything for you to make you happy!

And, I'm not the only one who is crazy about you. The kids are SUPER crazy about their daddy! Their spirits lift the second you walk in the door. I can only hope that the kids end up with more traits like YOU than their momma! Ha!

Happy Valentine's Day to YOU!

First Snow

We got a tiny bit of snow early this morning...

I'm not crazy about playing out in the snow, but I let Madison go out for a little bit after lunch while Logan was still napping. She mostly just walked around in it and made "footprints." She soaked her pair of mittens and asked for another pair. Too bad I didn't have another pair!We made snow ice cream, but by the time I collected the snow it was already too wet and slushy. It tastes more like a homeade ice cream flavored snowcone. Sure hope school is not canceled tomorrow!

Corn Chowder

Last night I made this chowder recipe out of our church's cookbook. I thought it was good and easy to make. Not sure Gabe was a big fan of it, but maybe it was because it had potatoes in it. He's not a fan of potatoes. This definitely is not a healthy meal...loaded with two starchy veggies, half and half, and topped with bacon. Oh well!

Corn Chowder

5 slices bacon
1 onion
1 can diced potatoes, drained
2 cans corn
1 can cream of mushroom
1 can creamed corn
2 1/2 cups half and half
1 tsp salt

Fry bacon, drain, and crumble. Saute' diced onion in bacon grease. Then add all other ingredients and simmer until heated. Top with bacon and shredded sheddar cheese.

Enjoy!