my m&ms

Can You Guess the Character?

2011-04-11T01:28:00.001-05:00

It felt a little like the end of October for our KIDS ALIVE program.

It was “Dress as a Cartoon Character” night .

Can you guess our characters??

The kids had tons of fun trying to decide which one to be!

OK . . . here are the answers. . .

(Left to Right . . . Bob the Builder, Mario, Yosemite Sam, Angelina Ballerina & Curious George)

Sweet little characters they are

Short, But Sweet.

2011-03-03T23:23:00.001-06:00

Mike came to visit us for a day. Yes, a day. 24 hours almost exactly.

We haven’t seen him in 6 months so we were SO glad he made it up this way to spend that time with us.

Of course we had to get a family picture.

The kids especially loved wrestling with him and we loved just hanging out.

Short, but so so sweet.

We love you Mike and miss you already!

New Years Eve Fun!

2011-01-11T23:12:00.001-06:00

This was our second year hosting Fort’s TruNorth Interns for New Year’s Eve. We had

tons of fun! We again took time to sled & snowmobile all over the yard and neighborhood.

And this year our kids even got to stay up until midnight!

Here is the crew….

Since the weather was so warm, the snow was wet and heavy. Great for packing; Justin

headed up the building of a GIGANTIC snowman in our front yard. The snow rolled up

like sod. What a treat to pull in our driveway to this sight.

All 9 feet froze solid the next day so it might greet all our visitors this winter. Maybe you!

In less than two weeks. . .

2010-11-13T21:49:00.001-06:00

We went from this:

(Left to right: Skunk, Packer Fan, Clown, Bat Girl and Lady Bug)

To this:

It’s Wisconsin. Actually, it’s Northern Wisconsin. And we like it!

A hunting we will go. . .Mason’s first hunt.

2010-10-26T09:24:00.001-05:00

Opening day of Mentor Hunt. 72 Degrees – almost unheard of for early October. Dad and 10-year old Mason head out into the woods!

Dad said that he’s never seen mosquitoes worse in his life! Hence, they needed to cover up every inch of skin they could. And then they were still swatting and swatting and swatting.

Mason was a trooper and stayed in the woods a long time with Dad. Just before dark (and with the mosquitoes nearly picking them up and carrying them away), he suggested they go “stalking.” So, they got up and took a little quiet hike.

A short while later, they found another spot to sit. Hearing noises in the woods and then more noises, they waited. Is it a squirrel? Is it a plane? No, it’s a deer!

Dad couldn’t see the deer, but Mason did. “Dad, it’s a doe, can I shoot?” “Yes.” And down she fell! You have never seen a bigger smile in your life.

Right next to Dad. His first hunt. Success.

Another Birthday. .

2010-10-14T17:09:00.001-05:00

Miles turned 9 on October 7.

He had a few of his friends over for our traditional birthday ice-cream cake.

Ahhh and this time I had candles!

I am trying to post more often . . .

Life is full and time goes by faster than I can write :)

Happy Birthday, Miles!

Double digits!

2010-05-31T01:09:00.001-05:00

Mason turned 10 so we had a Birthday Party!!

13 Boys came with TONS of energy. Thankfully, Dad was in charge of game time.

. . . . .

GAME #1 - A shooting contest. Each boy had their own target and collected points depending on how good of a shot they were.

. . . . .

GAME #2 – A fire burning contest. Yes, only a dad. . and a bunch of boys would enjoy a fire burning contest. The boys were to build a fire as quickly as they could and the first to burn the rope, got the points.

. . . . .

GAME #3 – A running race. . . they were too fast for pictures!

. . . . .

GAME #4 – The boys had to throw the football and make as many baskets as they could.

. . . . .

GAME #5 – A football game!!

The Football Teams : Shirts and Skins

. . . . .

I just love all the faces in this picture

. . . . .

GAME #6 – A Pinata. This game was for candy only. . no points.

. . . . .

We also ate dinner, opened gifts, and had our traditional Ice Cream Birthday Cake.

. . . . .

After all the points were tallied, the big winner is. . .

Yep. . the Birthday Boy!

Way to go and Happy Birthday!

Tina

. . . . .

A Pile of . . .

2010-01-14T21:43:00.002-06:00

Puppies!!

Just before Christmas our neighbors told us their brown lab was due any day. Well, Christmas morning she had 11 puppies!

What a treat! 4 black and 7 brown little lab puppies.

Dad warned us that we would NOT be getting one, but of course the kids want ALL of them.

I am a sucker for anything so sweet and small. I will even admit to liking the smell of their sweet puppy breath.

::sigh::. . . Maybe someday.

But if your interested in a puppy, let me know ;)

Two front teeth

2010-01-06T09:18:00.003-06:00

Marea lost her two front teeth. I actually pulled them for her.

She was so brave. Today she is enjoying her new lisp :)

Harry Takes a Bath

2009-12-28T13:38:00.001-06:00

I can only wonder what he is thinking as he “reads” this book

Happy Monday!

Say “Cheese”

2009-12-18T10:14:00.001-06:00

Last week I went to a Christmas party and loved an appetizer that a friend made. This week I had another party to go to, SO I called up my friend and got her recipe.

It is amazingly easy . . . .

Here is how easy:

Cheese Spread

2 - 14oz containers of Cheese Spread (I used Port Wine. . next time I will try plain Cheddar)

1 - 8oz pkg of Cream Cheese (or more to taste)

Mix together well. Line a small bowl with saran wrap and scoop the cheese in. Dump out on your dish and remove the wrap.

Add a topping of your choice. I used almonds. My friend used parsley. Both were really good to me.

And of course you need crackers to dig in.

This was a nice alternative to all the SWEET treats being served this time of year :)

~~~~~~~~~

ALSO, Mike came home for a few days. SO yesterday we had a good friend take some family pictures for us.

You can have a sneak peek Here.

We were careful NOT to say the word “cheese” because it makes pictures look like this:

Thanks Mrs. E for enduring the cold with us and blessing our family with your gift of photography!

Tina

Days like these

2009-12-16T09:14:00.001-06:00

When the temperature is SO cold outside (-4 right now), this is where you will find the kids. . .

I find myself standing in front of the same vent to warm my toes :)

I am so thankful we have shelter from the cold. . on days like these!

Not my idea of a good time. . .

2009-12-14T20:58:00.003-06:00

But the kids LOVE it!!

This is the second year a friend lent us a snowmobile for the winter. The kids really enjoy taking rides as the snowmobile trails are about a hundred feet away.

Well, the trails aren’t groomed yet, so Dad made a “trail” in our back yard. He also rigged up a sled to be pulled behind so everyone can have a turn at once. Like I said. . NOT my idea of a good time.

Here they are. The fluffy falling snow makes it safe, or so Dad says!

They were frozen when they got in!

An extra blessing today was that a carpet cleaning friend stopped by randomly. He said he had just enough time to clean our carpets - something I have wanted to get done all Fall! So while the kids were “having fun”. . I got to put the house back together, which is my idea of a good time. :)

Tina

From the 17th at Lambeau

2009-12-08T22:16:00.003-06:00

Or Laaammmbbeauuuuu as Craig would say.

This past Monday night we traveled down to Green Bay for the big game between the Packers and the Ravens.

Craig wanted to take me to a game since I have never been to one in all my years living in WI. So when we got a gift to do something special (alone), he started searching for tickets. He found seats in the 17th row for a GREAT price.

We knew it would be cold. We didn’t know it would be 20 degrees! So I started worrying about what to wear. . . I hate to be cold and thought it would make for a LONG evening sitting outside on bleachers.

Craig helped me dress. . . layers, boots, hat, mittens and those neat little foot warmers. I can honestly say I stayed warm the entire night.

(Players on the field just before the game)

We had such a great time! Our seats were so close to the players. Each Lambeau Leap was just below us.

(Half time honoring Service Men, Women and their families ~ VERY cool)

It is amazing to me the camaraderie that Packer fans have. It felt like one big family. The lady next to me (in black) thought so too as she enjoyed my cushion for part of the night, much to my (short-lived) frustration.

We didn’t mind the roughly 3-hour drive home, even though it began not long after 11PM.

It was a night to remember, and Craig & I still had a trip home to go over all the cool stuff we enjoyed…together…from the 17th row.

HP Touchsmart Giveaway

2009-12-07T21:23:00.000-06:00

Do you want to have a chance to win your very own HP TouchSmart 600!!!!!!

Go HERE to see how.

Tina

A new BLOG to share.

2009-10-30T17:38:00.001-05:00

I keep telling myself that life will slow down and I will actually sit down to write a post. HA ! I have a few posts started and then life interrupts again. I don’t think it will ever really slow down, but maybe sometime I will finish those that I started and actually post them

For now, I will just leave you with a new blog that I am following. As you read in my last post ehhhemm. . over a month ago, my son went to Ensenada, MX for their Discipleship Training School. Well, he started a blog.

You can go HERE to see all that he is learning.

It has been exciting for me to hear of his growth from afar. I hope you will enjoy reading as well.

Tina

Saying goodbye. . .

2009-09-23T00:18:00.001-05:00

Our oldest is off on his first real adventure away from home. . .

On a recent missions trip to Ensenada, Mexico, Mike’s eyes were opened to the next step in the path God has for him. Discipleship Training School (DTS).

The YWAM DTS is designed to encourage students to develop in personal character, to cultivate a living relationship with God, and to identify their unique individual gifts and callings.

The program aims to prepare strong messengers of the gospel, helping students to know God in depth. The goal is to form Christian character and establish Biblical relationships while developing a daily walk with God.

This intensive training course begins with a 12 week classroom phase followed by an 8 week outreach.

Yes, I pulled the info off the website, but I can’t say it any better than they do :)

It was a day of mixed emotions as we said goodbye to Mike. . .

. . . we will miss you!

You can go here to learn more about DTS.

Tina

While we were off visiting to Grandma and Grandpa’s. .

2009-08-22T21:34:00.001-05:00

We helped them build a deck

We finished even though it rained HALF the time

Maccoy turned 4

Of course we did some fishing and playing too

Thanks to some good friends who lent us a pop-up, we got to camp out. . you can see the path we made to keep dry through what became 3 inches of rain runoff.

A worthwhile trip, it was!

Trampoline

2009-08-15T11:37:00.002-05:00

I never thought we would be trampoline owners, so it was a shock to me when Craig said YES to the offer of one from a friend at an UNBEATABLE price.

What a blessing it has been to us since our beach days were fewer this summer.

Thankful to report ~ NO injuries to date :)

Dad’s Big Catch

2009-08-05T23:55:00.003-05:00

Dad caught a 5lb Smallmouth Bass while fishing next to the Ms and Grandpa. He claims to have given them the “1st” chance.

The kids were excited to see what was in its belly.

8 Crayfish and still hungry enough to bite Craig’s line!!

Yummy in our tummies, too!

Quilt Giveaway

2009-08-04T10:16:00.006-05:00

I love quilting, but haven't taken the time to do it much lately. So when I came across this giveaway, I thought I would do all the "to do's" to make myself eligible to win it. . .Even post. . . which is another thing I haven't kept up with lately :)

Check it out here - Quilt Giveaway

Graduation AND 18th Birthday

2009-06-21T02:03:00.001-05:00

Our oldest has officially graduated from high school AND turned 18.

So we had a double party at our house.

Thanks to my dad who did the grilling even in the rain!

And a good friend who decorated the cake.

This is for Craig. . . Total food eaten . . 45 burgers, 40 brats, 40 hot dogs ( and buns), 2 big salads, 8 lbs of potato salad, 4 pineapples, 4 cantaloupe, 6 bunches of grapes, 12 Containers of Strawberries, 5 batches of REALLY great fruit dip, 6 quarts of calico beans, a friends coleslaw salad ( a little left) , 6 bags of chips. . .

AND only 4 pieces of cake left (which I am pretty sure I ate!)

Tina

Birthdays

2009-05-28T11:45:00.001-05:00

Here are some highlights of our 3 spring birthdays

Marshall’s first taste of cake

Good Friends

Chocolate/chocolate cake. . . yum!

Stories around the campfire

Chicken dinner

Invisible candles

Football game

AND lastly. . .

Miles caught a bunny with his bare hands!!

He was so thrilled. . . me not so much.

Happy Birthday!!

Garden hopes. . .

2009-05-10T14:29:00.001-05:00

I have always wanted a garden. Last fall my hopes became a bit closer to reality when a friend graciously cleared trees from our yard to create a bigger space. The space is nice and big and lots of fresh topsoil was put in place.

This week we worked to get it ready for planting..

Fresh tilled dirt . . .

Teenage helpers …

And their muscles. . .

Brains and more muscle. . .

Cute face. . .

Brush fire. . .

Baths every night this week!

And Voila!! This part is finished!

Now I get to start planting!!

Picnic on the river

2009-05-05T23:54:00.001-05:00

Life is boring if you’re a kid. Better go find a good friend to play with…

Do crawfish, suckers and frogs count as a “good catch”?

We sure had fun! At the end of the day, we had a memory you can’t take away, even if we couldn’t take Mr. Crawfish home. Next time…

Opening Day

2009-05-02T08:24:00.001-05:00

Who: Dad and the boys

What: Opening Day of Fishing

When : 12:00 Midnight

Where: The favorite fishing spots

Why: To “make a memory”

The Temperature: 37 Degrees

Yes, they really did it and are sleeping soundly this morning.

Gathering Place Open House

2009-05-01T23:31:00.001-05:00

This Sunday we had a night of dedication and celebration. Over 100 local friends came together for this special night.

Our Director Tom Robertson shared of how Fort came to be in 1956 and the reason it still exists today. He’s a great story-teller, and this setting is truly awesome.

We made a big circle and prayed together, thanking God for making it possible for this ministry tool to be completed. We asked Him to enable us to use it well.

(The entry compass – pointing True North) We are so glad that the Gathering Place will allow young and old to hear of God’s love for them and to make deep life-long friendships. You gotta love the hair - none of ours have such nice curls!

Calling all Shutterbugs!

2009-05-01T20:32:00.000-05:00

Check out this awesome give-away at "I Heart Faces"!

Anyone who loves taking pictures, but doesn't have all those fancy lenses will love this one!

Go here to see how you can win.

It is feeling more like spring.

2009-04-18T16:07:00.001-05:00

These have been a couple of nice days outside. Lots of yard work and outside fun.

I don’t really think Coy wants snow, but I thought it was so funny to see him sitting in a sled in the driveway.

You can see a little snow in the yard. That pile is gone today.

Off to play some more.

Tina

My Friend and I

2009-04-07T10:17:00.001-05:00

This picture of best buds seemed perfect for the theme this week over at IHeartFaces .

Tina

Awana Grand Prix

2009-04-06T09:04:00.001-05:00

This year, I decided that we were going to skip the Awana Pinewood Derby Race. There is so much work involved in prepping a car for this race. Coming up with a design, cutting the block, sanding, painting, getting those axles just right. Too much work! So, you can imagine how I felt when Craig came home from Awana with 2 cars for us to work on.

AAARRRGGGHHH! I guess I forgot to mention it to him.

Well, as the big day approached, we were kind of feeling like we would just do a “family fun” night and skip the races. Then my sweet Mason said, “Mom, I know it is a lot of work, but I can just race the block”. This melted my heart. So we changed plans and got in high gear to get our cars ready as the race was only 5 days away.

We did all the prepping. . . both on the cars and on the boys hearts in case they didn’t come home with a trophy.

Here are a few pictures. . . Mason’s car is the red, black and yellow one . . Miles’s car is the green and yellow ship/car.

No trophy this year, but Mason walked away having raced the fastest heat of the night! 203.8 MPH.

Here are two of our favorite cars. . .

They have already started talking about plans for the next race.

We’ll see.

Tina

Found one

2009-03-31T08:40:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite things to do is shop thrift stores. I just love finding a deal! It is even better when it is one that I have been searching for for a while.

Well, I HAD to stop at Goodwill when I was in town the other day and FOUND one. Packer jerseys are one of the things on my “watch for” list. Really any jersey would make them happy, but my boys are big fans of the Packers. It can pose a problem to find just one, but I have had my eyes open for Miles for a while. He is still squeezing himself into a Gilbert Brown size 4 shirt. It really needed to be replaced. Here he is in his new Packer jersey.

He is VERY happy to have a *new* jersey and I am thankful to have “found one”

Tina

Awana Games

2009-03-30T17:52:00.003-05:00

My husband had the privilege of coaching the boys team in this years Awana games. He is pictured below along with 2 of my m's.

As you can see, we took 1st place! Way to go boys and girls!

Thanks for the pics Heather :)

Yummy Cupcakes

2009-03-28T22:25:00.002-05:00

Today I made Heather’s 6 Week Bran Muffins and while I was making them, the muffin tin reminded me of one of my favorite desserts. I haven’t made this dessert in a very long time because I have been known to eat ~~the entire batch by myself~~ a ton of them in one sitting. I just have trouble saying no.

We call them Yummy Cupcakes, but they may actually have a different name.

Don’t they look YUMMY? I can almost taste them :)

Yummy Cupcakes

8 oz Cream Cheese
2/3 c sugar
1 egg
¼ tsp salt
1½ Chocolate Chips
In a medium bowl, beat together until light and fluffy. Add the chocolate chips and keep in refrigerator till needed.

3 c flour
2 c sugar
2 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
½ cocoa powder
2/3 c vege oil
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp vinegar
2c water

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.

2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, 2 cups sugar, cocoa, 1 teaspoon salt and baking soda. Stir in oil, water, vinegar and vanilla until blended. Pour mixture into prepared muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full.

3. Drop a heaping teaspoonful of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each cupcake. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Allow to cool.

I like to freeze them and take them out as I need them. They thaw well AND taste yummy frozen.

My Bran Muffins turned out pretty yummy (thanks Heather), but I may be making cupcakes tomorrow :)

Tina

Window

2009-03-27T16:24:00.002-05:00

My 5 year old lost a tooth today!

This morning it was wiggly and now it is her first window.

She is SO excited because she worked hard to get it out and she keeps saying

"It didn't even hurt one bit"

Way to go!

Pizza Night

2009-03-23T15:33:00.014-05:00

It's Monday! Traditional Pizza Night at the m&m house!
Tonight, we decided to try something new:
Personal Pan Pizzas!

The kids really enjoyed making their own pizzas. There was freedom to lick fingers . . . and spoons he/he

Here is my SUPER easy and tasty pizza dough recipe, if you want to give it a try:

1C Warm water
2 1/4 tsp yeast
2T oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp honey
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

Preheat oven 400 degrees. Mix all and let sit for 5 min. Roll out on pan and add toppings. Makes 2 - 12 " round pizzas.

I usually double this recipe so we have leftovers.

Marshall's first word

2009-03-20T15:51:00.005-05:00

I thought this would be a fitting picture to go along with Marshall's first word.

"Hi"

Although, it comes out more like " i ".

Dad sure thinks it is great to be greeted this way when he gets home from work.

In the background, Miles is thinking hard about his next move in Sequence.

12 Layer Cake. . . Yummy

2009-03-19T16:26:00.021-05:00

One thing I have really enjoyed about blog following is all the new recipes I come across. I appreciate the tried and true practical recipes I find which keep variety in my meal planning.

Occasionally a chocolate dessert recipe will catch my eye and I will have to try it. Here is one:

The Smith Family's 12 Layer Cake.

It seemed like a more challenging recipe, but the sight of the oozing chocolate made me rise to the challenge.

This is the finished product along with two of my cuties.

And this is what it looked like when I cut into it. It was so pretty and so tasty.

Fortunately, a neighbor was having a birthday, so I was able to give some away.

These kinds of things left around my house get eaten up pretty fast . . .

by ME. :) Tina

Go here to see a really cool picture tutorial on how to make this recipe.

Almost walking

2009-03-18T17:18:00.008-05:00

Most of my kids were pretty early walkers, so it was no surprise that my mini m&m was up and ready to take off. He is 10 1/2 months old and he has taken 19 steps in a row as of today.

A bunch of pictures turned out like this as he is pretty quick to turn away on me.

So I had DAD stand with him and got this one. Much better.

It has been exciting to watch this little guy as he balances himself and gets the courage to walk.

First Post

2009-03-16T00:23:00.000-05:00

Here it is! My first post.

Since it is extremely late and I am new to all of this, it will be short and sweet.

I have loved stalking. . um. . I mean following so many blogs that I have always felt I would have nothing new to offer the blog world. Then a friend told me she started one. Her purpose was to share with family and friends AND to have a paperless record of her family's memories. Well, I have family, friends and too many empty scrapbook albums, so I really liked this idea. I have also been challenged to use this tool as a way of reminding myself of my many blessings.

So, if you are reading this, consider yourself one of those blessings in my life :)
Good night.