A Memory

Right after we got Otis, I took a picture of Ann Phelps trying to get Otis to go to sleep. It made me think of a picture my Mom had of me when I was a little girl sleeping with a puppy. Every time we are at my parents' house, my Daddy tells me how much Ann Phelps reminds him of me. She loves animals and isn't scared of them. I can't wait to teach her to ride horses!

Otis 10weeks

almost 9 weeks old



almost 9 weeks old

10 weeks

He's not spoiled!!

He can climb over gates!

It's like I am keeping up with a child's weekly progress! I guess our dogs will always be considered our furry children! Otis is growing like a weed - the super fast kind! In one week he went from 13lbs. to 16lbs. - ONE week!! Just like when your baby goes from the happy-sitting-in-one-spot to the I-have-to-move-everywhere stage, Otis is no longer happy lounging around napping in the kitchen! He has to be in the middle of whatever the kids are doing. I am a nervous wreck because I am so scared he is going to swallow a toy/silly band/etc.. and get sick! The boys don't care for Otis at this stage because he bites them - in other words, he plays too rough for them! But Ann Phelps doesn't mind. She loves the puppy, "Dotis" (that is what she calls him)! If she could only figure out a way to get him to be still and sit next to her so she can put a blanket on him, their play dates would be more enjoyable (for her)!! It has been 10 years since I have had to deal with the puppy stage - at that time, I had never had children - I didn't realize how having a new puppy is like having a newborn!! We are enjoying it, though!

A Holiday Tree

I am trying something in 2011 that I have wanted to do for years. I am having a "holiday" tree in my house. We put up a white Christmas tree this year because I wanted a "kid tree"! I have always wanted to decorate a tree for each holiday. A white tree seems to be more workable! So these are pictures of the Valentine's Day tree!!

Muffins with Mom

This week Will's class is studying the letter "M". Today we had Muffins with Mom! I made (with the help of my sweet husband, the real cook!) gluten free cinnamon/sugar breakfast muffins!! They were so good to be g-free!!

Snow Day??

The muffins (in my defense, Rhyne filled the
pan way to full with dough)!!


Building a construction site

watching Toy Story 3

Styling Mom's hair

The kids had a snow day yesterday without snow! We didn't get any snow, just ice. Will was so disappointed when he woke up yesterday morning! We stayed inside ALL DAY Sunday and Monday due to the road conditions. This was fun until the 20th hour of togetherness, then things got hairy! We filled our time with movies, building construction sites, playing barber shop, "camping" in tents, and having indoor picnics. I also found time to bake gluten free chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes, and muffins!! I do feel blessed I get to be at home with my kids, but I do like the option of sending them outside!!

The First Week of 2011

Some pics of this week:


Otis is growing like a weed


We decorated for the next holiday

Ann Phelps busted her lip on New Year's Day-

we almost had to make a trip to the ER, but

got advice from Amanda that saved us that

8 hour wait!!

I don't want to be negative, but I am sooooooo glad this week is OVER!! Between Ben disappearing and Ann Phelps digging in her dirty diapers and painting the walls 3 times this week - I am ready to call it quits!! Otis (our 8 week old puppy) has also decided to start climbing over the dog gate - that gave me a heart attack because when we came home Wednesday, I couldn't find him in the kitchen and the gate was still up. I had horrible visions of the kids "accidentally" letting him out the back door as we were loading up for school. Thankfully, I called his name and he came running from the living room!! I put him back in the kitchen and he showed me his new "trick" of climbing over the gate!! What a week!! I do have to say, I feel so very blessed to have all of this busy-ness, no really I do! God has given me so much to be thankful for! I am excited to see what 2011 will bring!!

Lightning

I have no pictures to document this but I have to post it for our scrapbook. I took all three outside to ride their 4-wheelers. I decided to take them around the block. The boys can go faster than AP so they know not to get out of our sight - they are supposed to stop and wait. Well, Ben decides today to take off and not look back!!! He disappeared. I had AP and Will was trying to stop Ben. I finally sent Will back to the house to get Rhyne - Rhyne got in his truck and went around the neighborhood to find Ben (aka "lightening") in some one's yard!! Thankfully we live in a small subdivision with lots of kids so it's not unusual to see kids playing therefore the cars are careful. BUT my heart stopped when Ben disappeared around the corner - I was completely helpless - I couldn't leave AP and chase after him!! And I really don't think Ben understands how dangerous his stunt was!! Will does, he kept saying, "I hope Daddy finds him, that is a big NO, NO!!"!!!! I can only imagine the posts that are to come!!