Adam and Danny hit a canyon on the way back from scout camp in Arizona. Lucky Boys!
Danny had a blast getting wet!
Adam’s truck wouldn’t start when they exited the canyon. Luckily, there was a group a few hours behind them. The guys weren’t super pumped about spending another night in the 100 degree weather. But seriously, what would a canyon with my husband be like without a slight mishap??
First round of birthdays. Annie, 5. Jo Jo, 8. Nikki, 10.
Junior Festival 2012
Ezzy–Dancing Elephants, Haiku.
Ranking, Superior
Danny–Creepy Crocodile, Bullfrog Blues.
Ranking, Excellent
I have decided to post most of my Gaven specific stuff on the adoption/foster blog because of the specific followers there. And, yes, I’ve actually recently posted. hehe! Mostly, you’ll love the pics we’ve put up. His eyes are to die for. I am back in the blogging game, hopefully. Waiting on some pics from hubby’s computer so I can post Easter and forward. I have a lot to say about Foster care and our recent experiences. That stuff will be kept on the other blog so I don’t weigh this family fun blog down with too much heavy. :)
Check Baby Gaven out: adoption.ourlittlemcfamily.com
Adam is such a sucker! And I love him for it. The older kids asked if he would take them, and we actually had a semi-free weekend ahead of us when they asked. Sooo…the three oldest kiddos backpacked Bridge Mountain with their dad in mid-February….something he’s wanted to do with them for awhile.
Adam, Daniel, Ezzy, and Nikki.
As you can tell from the pictures, it was a bit chilly, with “lots of snow” still on the ground. But the daytime hiking weather was perfect. The three kids snuggled up in a backpacking tent together while Adam braved his bivy. Daniel even woke himself up to see his first very sunrise ever. He is definitely maturing…even if he’s super middle school dorky right now. :)
January is the perfect time, in the desert, to do longer and exposed hikes. 55 degrees and sunny here in Las Vegas….Awesome hiking weather!
The kiddos did really well. And I only threw up once–no joke. I think I was super dehydrated. It passed, and I finished strong. :) Here’s to another January on the White Rock Loop Trail!!!
The kids took bread to a few families in the ward that are good examples to us (for different reasons). It was so fun watching them unexpectedly deliver some joy on a Monday night. The best part of serving is watching the children “get it” and love doing it. We’ve set a goal to do one purposeful service activity per month this year within our family. I think that for the month of February we are going to host a dinner for a few families from church that we would like to get to know better. The kids will serve them dinner and treat them for the night. We’ll see how it turns out.
LOOKING BACK
1. SEVEN POUND WEIGHT LOSS!
2. Menus planned and executed.
3. January FHE service project accomplished.
4. Had first stake camp meeting…assigned to YCLs.
HEADING FORWARD
1. Personal scripture study must be better.
2. Only on book two of my 75 book challenge….need to bust it this month.
3. Restocking the freezer with meals.
4. Nikki’s 10th birthday to plan.
5. Adam will be gone for a week to Nashville.
6. Want to drop another seven to eight pounds….so took a NO SWEETS challenge for the month of February!!!
We are now in our second two-week dinner menu. I would say that my husband is VERY happy. Why? Because I am not only “cooking” more, but also adding sides to our meals. I grew up with sides on the table. We always had a salad on the table and fruit or vegetables or rolls. I, however, am a one dish woman!
With a growing family, however, I see the great need to help stretch our main dishes by adding easy sides to the mix. And, honestly, it is yummier. And I have cultivated great little chefs in the kitchen to help me. So, I am RESOLVED!
This week’s menu:
Cheesy Chili-Mac
w/garlic bread and corn
Turkey Jo’s
w/ sweet potato fries and fruit salad
Baked Potato Bar
Roast
w/potatos, green salad, and dinner rolls
Chicken Kebobs
w/ rice and peaches and pears
Beef
w/ rice-a-roni, applesauce, and green beans
Tacos
w/ chips and salsa and corn
………and so and so forth. See, nothing spectacular. Just yummy staples that everyone loves. But I’m sticking to it. And that is the very best part. Well, I’m off to boil pasta for our Chili Mac.
two pounds closer to my goal. Minus two pounds this week. YES!
1. Logged my food everyday.
2. Stayed slightly under my calorie goal everyday except at grandma’s bday…only 70 calories over.
3. Stayed off the scale most days.
Feel pretty good about my progress. I know it could be faster if I exercised more, but I feel like I can handle what I’m doing for now.
