Let me solve all (okay 4) of your problems again

Once in awhile I find things that solve my own problems and I just have to share...
Problem 1: I need an impressive winter salad to take to a get together

Here is the best winter salad I make...spinach, bacon, pears, a delightful vinaigrette dressing. I promise, everyone will want this recipe:

Spinach Salad with pears and blue cheese

just a note, this is great for company because everything except the pears can be prepared the day before and put into little bags in the fridge if you are making it on a busy day. You can also add rotisserie chicken to it to make it a main dish salad

I just kind of decide how much I want of everything but I'll try to give you an idea:

One large bag of spinach (almost all of a Costco size bag)...enough to fill a very large bowl of salad (you can also use Romaine or green leaf lettuce if you prefer)

1 yellow pepper, cut into very small pieces

1/2-3/4 medium red onion, cut into very small pieces

About a pound of bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled (I'm not afraid of microwave bacon...I actually like how crisp it gets)

2 ripe d'anjou pears (I think having this type of pear is important, they take awhile to ripen so buy early) cut into smallish pieces

Crumbled blue cheese, to taste (I don't like really big chunks)

Sugared almonds, the more the better :) about 1 larger bag of slivered almonds

To sugar the almonds put the bag of almonds into a pan on the stove, add about 1/2 to 3/4 C of sugar...cook over medium high heat until the sugar starts to dissolve and becomes liquid and the almonds begin to brown. When they are coated, pour onto a pan or plate, let them dry and cool and then crumble into salad.

Here is the dressing recipe: 1/4 C red wine vinegar, 1 TBSP. Dijon mustard, 1/4-1/3 C sugar, 1/2 cup plus 2 TBSP oil, a dash of salt and pepper. Shake! (I like to make the dressing the day before and let it sit in the fridge. Shake it up and make sure it tastes just right.) Don't dump it all on to the salad...pour some, toss, taste, pour some more, etc.

Problem 2: I'm taking dinner to a friend's family but I want something that is easy to transport, makes double for my family, won't break the bank and her picky kids will eat

This meal is a new one, but recently got rave reviews from my family and another! And, for all of you who don't cook, I promise, making a white sauce is simple (but don't use cannery flour)!

Cheesy Rigatoni

1 lb. rigatoni noodles

36 oz. Ragu Sun-dried tomato and basil spaghetti sauce (about a jar and 1/2--I think this kind and flavor is best)

1 lb. mozzarella cheese

1/2 c. Parmesan cheese

1 zucchini, grated

2 cups fresh spinach, chopped

4 T. butter

4 T. flour

2 c. milk

Cook and drain noodles according to package. Grate the zucchini and saute over med-hi heat in a little butter (if you must have meat, this is a good time to saute the beef or sausage too), when almost cooked, throw in the spinach and pour the spaghetti sauce over the mixture . Cover and let simmer. Make a white sauce by melting the butter into a saucepan, when melted, whisk in flour and then whisk in milk until smooth. Stir until it thickens a bit.

In a deep 9 x 13 pan, Layer 1/2 the noodles, 1/2 the white sauce (it won't completely cover), 1/2 the spaghetti sauce and 1/2 of both cheeses. Repeat layers. Bake 30-40 minutes at 350 degrees until hot and bubbly.  

I promise no one even notices the spinach or zucchini...you can't taste it at all.  Serve with french bread and an easy Cesar salad. 

Problem 3: It's winter and I'm inside all the time...what should I read?

If you want to better yourself: The Anatomy of Peace (The Arbinger Institute)

Incredible. This is technically a "self-help" book, which I usually can't stand, but this one was the greatest. For one, it was written in allegory, which made it much more interesting...it's like I was reading a story but gleaning all the advice and help I needed from it. For two, it was so full of "truth" that I was constantly nodding my head, smiling and wondering why I hadn't already seen things this same way. It talks about having a heart at peace with everyone around yo...moreIncredible. This is technically a "self-help" book, which I usually can't stand, but this one was the greatest. For one, it was written in allegory, which made it much more interesting...it's like I was reading someone else's life experience but gleaning all the advice and help I needed from it. For two, it was so full of "truth" that I was constantly nodding my head, smiling and wondering why I hadn't already seen things the same way. It talks about having a heart at peace with everyone around you and I've had multiple situations in the last few months where I have used the strategies and philosophies and feel so much better about the way I have handled difficult situations. This book made me so self-reflective that at times I was uncomfortable with what I was realizing about myself and what I need to change. It was an easy, quick read and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to better their relationships or who is struggling with something or someone in particular. I'm planning on re-reading it often.

If you want to learn about another culture and be devoured by great writing and an unforgettable story: Shanghai Girls (Lisa See)

Oh man I loved this book. I'm not sure it was as good as Snowflower and the Secret Fan, but I could not put it down. I loved the main character and how See is able to give so many different points of view in the book. I loved watching the main character grow, mature and become a mother. I loved reading how so many survived serious hardship. People and children are amazingly resilient. It was a historical fiction (a combination of many real stories combined together in fictional characters). It m...moreOh man I loved this book. I could not put it down. I loved the way the author included so many different viewpoints in her novel. I loved main character and watching her grow, mature and become a mother. I loved reading how so many survived serious hardship. People and children are amazingly resilient. It was a historical fiction (a combination of many real stories with fictional characters). It made me look at people and the world differently and wonder what they had been through to be where they are today. I loved how it showed that your life doesn't have to be perfect to find happiness and contentment...oftentimes you must create that peace and fulfillment within yourself in spite of your circumstances. Most lives don't go according to plan.  The Chinese culture is so different from mine, that I always find it fascinating to learn more about it, especially to hear what America was like for them. I have to admit, I hated the ending though...I mean really hated it, so I'm ignoring that it ended the way it did because aside from the last 10 pages, it was truly amazing. Overall, it was pretty clean though there were some difficult and very real things that happened in the book. 

Problem 4: Everything on television is complete junk. What can we watch that is actually interesting and appropriate? 

We LOVE NBC's Parenthood. Great, fun, realistic and uplifting. If you haven't watched it yet, we'd recommend getting caught up...it's halfway through the second season right now. Of course there are a handful of other things we watch, but this is our favorite (so I'm sure it will get cancelled), and between Mike's studying and my reading, there isn't a ton of time for TV. 

What are you cooking, watching and reading to keep your winter moving?

So I can remember

Today in church I was flooded with the spirit. It's rare with 3 boys on the pew with  me. But the cacophone seemed to still for a minute today while we were all taught truth through word and music.

*The first speaker let us into his life as he talked about gaining his own testimony. He remembered wanting to know, for a surety from the time he was 8. He asked earnestly, always before a big spiritual moment in his life, but was often disappointed...no heavenly angels or Christ appearing to him, but he had faith that what he was doing was true and brought him happiness, so he continued to believe. It wasn't until he was 20, that he felt the arms of his Savior wrap around him and testify of the truth of the gospel he had always believed in. 

He then played, "I believe in Christ" on the piano. First with just his right hand. It seemed so hesitant but clear and simple, just like the beginning of his testimony and the beginning of mine. On the next verse, he added another part, and the song became a touch richer and more confident; on the third verse the music became full and interesting, and the fourth verse was the climax with beautiful and intricate details, but it was not flawless. It was just like the testimony he now possesses. One that has been worked on and tested, over and over again. He ended the song, with a few short notes on his right hand only...reminding us that it was still the same, simple song that he started out with and it was beautiful every way he played it. I was so moved, by what he played and the story it told. I reflected on how my own testimony of the Savior is sometimes simple and other times complicated, sometimes confident and other times hesitating...but it's always there and I'm grateful for that.

*The second speaker let us into a dim, heartbroken time of her life where her own loneliness enveloped her. She sang the words to the hymn "Abide with Me," and told us that as she sang that song, she knew she would never be alone, that Christ would always be her companion. I was so touched by her honesty and sincerity and knew she was speaking truth. Christ can be our companion, especially in our darkest hour.

*The third speaker taught us what music can mean, if we let it. It can tie worlds together; it can bring people closer and can touch you in a way you are unprepared for. She grew up in France and for a time lived on an island in French Polynesia. She expounded on how the island people sing, and I couldn't help smile as she vividly described the way their whole souls sang the hymns as they praised God. They sang loud and with gusto. She said she remembers feeling so much joy when they sang she wanted to stand up and dance. As she continued to speak, my body ached to be there, to be part of what she was describing. Then, she asked our small congregation to sing "Sweet Hour of Prayer." She invited us to stand and sing with our whole souls. It was an amazing experience as our small numbers belted out such a wonderful song, "In seasons of distress and grief, my soul hath often found relief..." In that moment, as a congregation, I think we all felt the relief that the holy spirit can bring as we united in song. It was a moment you wish could last longer that it did.

*The fourth and final speaker had only a few minutes, but chose to share his feelings about the children's hymn, "I am a Child of God." They are words we are all familiar with, taken from the foundation of our testimony..."I am a Child of God, and He has sent me here. Has given me an earthly home, with parents kind and dear. Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, help me find the way. Teach me all that I must do, to live with Him some day."

He told us how that song meant so much to him because he sang it with the people of Russia during his mission. When their life was bleak and hopeless, the words of the song brought hope and love. He also sang it when he lived in Egypt with a few members of the church and many refugees. Many people there had nothing at all and others had plenty but they all, regardless of circumstance needed the same thing, the love of God in their lives. 

He then began singing the song, a capella. First in Russian, then in Arabic. The congregation, for a moment, was completely silent. Jace leaned over and said "Even the babies are listening." What happened was we were all swept up in the beautiful spirit of his simple testimony and the truth of the words he sang.

I am just immensely grateful that I was there today. What an infusion of the spirit it was for me. These were moments that strengthened my testimony of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. It reaffirmed that I know He lives and loves us and wants us to partake of His joy. 

Cold as Ice

 Last weekend we thought it would be a great, Michigan experience to attend the ice festival in Plymouth. It's the third biggest in the nation, so it had to be worth it, right? Um, not so much. It was FREEZING...about 9 degrees, major wind and snow falling. To be quite honest, it was painful, for all of us (well, Mike was tough).We were so cold, the kids had tears running down their cheeks the whole time. After 20 minutes, we'd been there, seen it and could check it off our list.

Here we are trying to smile into the wind. Does this look fun?

The sculptures really were cool.

Does he look like he loves the ice festival?

That's my boy! Even if you hate it, you still have to smile for the picture.

Some hot chocolate and chocolate covered marshmallows on a stick at least made things a bit better.

After our 20 minutes of "having an experience" we headed to the indoor mall to play in the petri dish we affectionately call "germ land" (thanks Keith). We saw puppies, and the boys played hard and I got a little shopping in while Mike sat super close to 200 other parents who had the same idea of going to the mall on a Saturday afternoon. After the kid in the corner of the play area puked in his dad's hands, we decided we'd had enough fun for the day...home, movie, quesadillas, and the day ended up toasty warm.

Note to self: Only indoor activities when the weather is under 20 degrees.  Regardless of the experience, it's NOT worth it.

Chore Chart Drop Out

I hate chores, for me and my kids and my husband. I really feel like cleaning just gets in the way of all the other fun and more important and interesting things in the life of a mother. I've often wished I had just a little OCD in me (To be honest, a kitchen full of open drawers and cupboards doesn't call out to me to shut them...gasp!) The problem? I also hate having a messy house and so does my super clean husband, and my kids like things orderly too or they don't play with anything, so what's a girl to do? Oh, and that minor thing about teaching your children to work and be productive? Yeah, need to fit that in too.


When we moved here I was totally going for the OCD girl...house perfect all the time, all the laundry done and put away on one day of the week, chore charts for each child that were finished before school, dishwasher started every night, a rotating list of deep cleaning...you know, crazy? It worked for a bit...


Then life got real. We got busy: friends, jobs, activities, homework, church callings, sports, holidays, visitors. I couldn't keep up with my craziness, so now I'm just back to being me (well, me plus a very clean and helpful husband). My downstairs (kitchen and living area) is almost always clean or 5 minutes from it as is my bathroom (lots of pressure when there is only one in your house) because it makes me happy to walk into a clean house that smells good, plus I like people to feel welcome when they walk in ...upstairs, you are rolling the dice. I pretty much stack my clothes in a corner for a week, then hang them all up. Laundry gets done in spurts, sometimes not often enough and I have to throw a load in for socks and underwear. Deep cleaning about once a week or every 10 days. On the brighter side, I am a purger, and don't like clutter, so you won't find any hoarding going on around here (just in case you are envisioning a hazmat zone). I'm pretty sure I'm a better mom and person without trying to pretend like I have OCD. (It's a DISorder for a reason, right?)  I can't stand the pressure of having a perfectly clean house...you never want your kids to do ANYTHING.


Oh, and chore charts are out too. My kids are too young to do them independently and I'm too lazy to enforce them all the time. It was becoming like a full time job. So, now our plan is before school every kid does 5 things (thanks Jenny) 1. Make bed 2. Clean room 3. Get dressed 4. Say prayers 5. Brush teeth. It's working like a charm...no one misses or negotiates or forgets. Loving it.


Then, our deal as a family is when I ask for help, you have to answer yes. So, the boys help with dishes, unload the dishwasher, clean the stairs, take out the garbage and help with extra stuff on the weekends or when we need it. Sometimes I need their help a lot, sometimes rarely. They are generally happy helpers and as long as they stay that way, I'm happy to wing it with them.


I realized, I can't become someone I'm not. I have friends who keep stuff spotless without being crazy and their kids learn from them to keep things spic and span. That is seriously admirable. For me, pretty clean is good enough, and when we have a party or visitors, I get a little crazy and things are spotless and I love it for the moment and the next morning I don't do the breakfast dishes until after lunch and let my kids cut paper and use glue right on the kitchen table in between those breakfast dishes and syrup spills, then we play a few games on the ground and read a few books and pile them all on the couch where they do not belong and it feels so good. I've decided that a little less than perfect around here is perfectly all right with me.

Sew, Sew, Cool

I wish I could sew. I will learn how one day. If I could sew, I would be just like Lizzie from Cotton and Curls. She has redone an old piece of her wardrobe everyday this month. It's awesome! There are still 10 days left. Wish I could have her revamp mine! If I could sew the possibilities would be endless. Here are a few of my faves:

Tender Heart

Parker has such a gift for empathy. He feels, in his little soul, how others feel. If we ever tell a story about something sad, he talks to us for hours about how if he were there, he would have helped/done things differently. 

The other day we took James to the doctor for his 4 year old shots. It was so sad. I had to hold James down while they poked him 4 times. He was wailing and my heart hurt for him...he's a pretty tough kid usually. When he was done and sniffling in my lap, Parker gave him a hug and knelt down at his feet and lovingly put his boots on for him saying in a high, sweet voice, "Are you okay Jamesy?" He carried James' books and pictures and kept checking on him and reminding him of the treat to come.

We stopped at the store to get some much needed sugar and Parker walked with his little arm around James' shoulders. He turned to me and said, "Mom, I just feel so sorry for Jamesy. When he was getting his shots, I felt so sad for him that I started crying too, so I put the book over my face so the doctors wouldn't see me."

My heart swelled inside. He is such a sweet, kind and soft kid. True, brotherly love.

Learning to Read (warning, LONG post)

It's no secret that I love to read. Before I had children, I had visions of snuggling up with babies, teens and everything in between and sharing my love of books. Funny how most of those idealized visions never materialize. You see, I have 3 boys. Busy, crazy, active, amazing boys and I love it. They like books and like to read, but they would always choose something active over something still, so I had to make learning to read a bit more fun than looking at letters and practicing sounds.

So, just in case we have more kids at some future point and I'm too old to remember what I did well with the first 3, I thought I should write a few parenting things down, since my blog is pretty much our only journal now.  Also, a few people here were interested in how I got my boys to read fairly early, so I thought I should make a record of it. 

Before I start with my explanation,  you must know that I think children really catch on when they are ready. My boys are not "gifted" readers that plow through chapter books at 4 or teach themselves to read at 2. I've known a few kids like that and they are amazing. Also, all of my boys have learned differently. Jace knew letters and sounds at a ridiculously young age, Parker has great instincts and can hear the correct words when he strings sounds together without any effort at all, and James was so stubborn that he went from barely recognizing all his letters to reading 3 and 4 letter words with short vowels in 3 months, plus he really loves books. There is only so much you can do as a parent but you can do something!

That being said, I've always hoped my kids would be reading before Kindergarten, for the sheer fact that if they can do that, it seems they are immediately labeled as "smart," and that is nice label to start life with, even if it's not always true. On the other hand, my friend's daughter didn't read at all, not one word, until 1st grade, but then reading just clicked for her and as a 3rd grader she's her classes' highest performer and major book lover. So, lots of times it really doesn't matter, but since I loved it so much it was important to me. Plus, you hear of boys struggling with reading more often than girls, so anything I could do to give my boys a leg up was a good thing.

Also, I'm not a teacher or expert, but I thought I'd share a few things that were fun and worked for us so that I can remember too.

Books

These are 2 of our favorites. One thing I like about them is that they are easy for the kids to participate in. From the time they can talk, once they are familiar with the book, I usually leave the last word of the sentence out and let them fill it in. As they get older I leave out more and more. We have quite a few books they can recite. It gives them confidence and they learn to look at pictures and predict words. It's always been a fun game for us and keeps them engaged in reading.

Alphabet Floor Puzzles

We have used this puzzle like crazy. We have lots but this is my favorite because the letters are formed correctly and are easy to read and the pictures are in the background. We have used this to pieces with all of my kids. The ways we used the puzzle:

*We would do it together

*We'd sing the ABCs as we pointed to the letter. We'd sing it faster and faster and faster.

*We'd jump from letter to letter while singing.

*We'd point out the letters we knew.

*When they were familiar with some letters, I'd put a piece of sugar cereal on each letter, and if they knew the letter, they could eat the cereal. If not, I'd eat it. I'd start with just a few that I knew they knew then add one or two every time we did the puzzle. I tried to teach the easiest, most familiar ones first.

*Pretty soon, they knew all the letters, so we'd do the same thing with sounds. It was a fun game that kept their attention. It seemed like they looked forward to our puzzle time.

*We stopped when it wasn't fun or when interest was gone. One thing I knew was that I never wanted reading to be a punishment or chore but a fun way to interact with me and the world. 

The Letter Factory DVD

I'm not usually a fan of TV learning, in fact it seems like an oxymoron, but this DVD was awesome for teaching sounds. Once my kids knew the letters, I let them watch this DVD for their TV time and the sounds usually came lickety split.

My first steps to reading books

I think these books are painfully boring, but all my kids have really liked them and they teach lower case letters really well. Capitals seemed much easier than lowercase. You can get the whole set at the library.

Spelling!

One thing that has always worked well for us is using spelling to learn to read. In the car or when trying to pass time, I'll give my kids words to spell. In the beginning, I'll help them sound them out, letter by letter (meaning I'll say the sound and they the letter), but it's not long before they can do it on their own. I also like using spelling to teach new concepts like the silent "e" or the "y" that sounds like an "i." We actually spell a lot before we try read.

Foam Bath Letters!

We used these a bunch too. I'd suggest buying at least 2 sets, so you have 2 of each letter. We spent a lot of bathtub time spelling words on the wall. I love places where my kids enjoy (or have to) chat with me. This felt like a game to them too, so they were happy to play "bath spelling" which often leads to "bath reading."

Lists!

I'm always amazed at how quickly kids start stringing sounds together once they have them down. We like to write our own lists to read and start with a simple sound like, "at." Once they can do that, we add a letter to the beginning of the sound (cat, bat, sat, mat) then do another ending and do the same thing and presto! they can read. Watching their face when they do it on their own for the first time is magic. They are so proud.

Sight Words.

There are just some words you can't sound out, so we have to "remember" those. These are tough and it's helpful when a preschool teacher or kindergarten teacher has a list and reinforces it. If not, they are easy to find online. 

Beginning Books

There are so many series out there for beginning readers. We've almost always gotten them from preschool or kindergarten teachers.  If my kids ever got frustrated with it, they would read a page, then I would read a page. I never wanted reading to be a hassle for them or force them to read books that were too far above their level. That's just frustrating. I also didn't stop reading to them for pleasure just because they could read.

After this, I'm so glad my kiddos go to school! We try to supplement and reinforce what they learn there. All 3 of them would still rather play then read, so we have a plan each night:

Later Bedtime

We read scriptures together at 8, then they are all welcome to keep their light on for 30 minutes and read on their own. If they are not reading or looking at books, the light goes off. It's their personal reading time. I read to them at other times of the day. It's been a great way for our kids to settle down and have some independent time and makes reading a real privilege, not a chore.

Nice and Slows

Last weekend we headed to Detroit for really only one reason, to eat at Slow's BBQ. So happy Mike has a bunch of young, cool friends in his program that let old married people with 3 rowdy kids tag along on their city and culinary adventures. So happy to have a husband that kicks the practicality out of me and always says, "Let's go!"

I will say, if we were going to be leaving Ann Arbor in 15 degree weather (I wore snow boots.  to a restaurant. seriously.) with 3 kids who couldn't stop talking about how cold they were, drive 45 minutes to the ghetto part of the city, our meal had to be dang good, and it was.




This is what surrounds Slows. Not exactly an upscale part of town. As in, park where your car is in plain sight.




Doesn't it make you feel safe that you are eating right next door to a place that pays "highest prices to buy and loan rifles and shotguns? Awesome! Like the colors though.

 Slows lived up to all the hype (NY Times!). Thanks to our awesome kidless friends, and being willing to eat lunch on a Saturday at 11:45, we only had to wait about 10 minutes. Everything about the meal was mmmmmm...3 meat tray (chicken, brisket, pulled pork, a must), 5 kinds of BBQ sauce (the apple was my fave), the best homemade mac and cheese I've ever eaten (I couldn't even think about calories), waffle fries (eat your heart out chick-fil-a), whipped sweet potatoes (want the recipe)...shall I go on? The only disappointment was the coleslaw (should have ordered the baked beans).  The decor, perfect; homey and sleek at the same time. Plus, the prices were very fair, even cheap for a family of 5 since my kids could all share one adult meal.

Boys loved trying all the sauces. Here is Drew, the BEST sport with boys, patience of Job. I hope he has a million on his own. Can't believe I didn't get a picture of the gals: Kristen, Katherine and Sam; they are so great too! We love hanging with them. 

 Bottom line, if you are around the Detroit area, you should go...but go at 11:45am, because on our way out at 1, the wait was 1 1/2 hours and our friends tried going, but the wait was 3 hours! Now that is some good BBQ!

Random shot, but we also stopped at Eastern Market, a vibrant Farmer's Market in the heart of the city. The kids weren't especially impressed (anything that resembles a grocery store is just not that cool), but I can't wait to go back in the spring and summer.

Ringing in the New Year Southern Style (South Carolina Part 2)

 If you go to South Carolina, Charleston is a must. In fact, if you want an amazing vacation, Charleston is a must. There are beautiful beaches, rich history, posh shopping, gorgeous buildings and a ridiculous amount of incredible backdrops for pictures. Bummer we were in the city mostly in the dark. Mike and I can't wait to go back, just the two of us! The city seems to cater to grown-ups a bit more than little ones.

With hungry savages our first stop was lunch at Mellow Mushroom...who doesn't love really great pizza? While we were waiting for a table, we found this lovely island of reeds, palms and forest right in the parking lot. How cool is that?

 There two are the best of friends. How I wish we could live by them!!

 These two are the best of friends too. Jace was such a great helper with Ellie.

 James and Luke were sometimes "best cousins" sometimes not. Depended on who you asked. Luke was busy with a homeless cat while we took photos.

 A little play time with our new great camera. Mike loves the techy stuff, so I'm trying to learn too. Pretty cool shot though.

 Beach play! It was SO cold right on the beach though the city weather just a few miles inland was lovely. It didn't dissuade the kids though. Especially not James and Ezra. They were all over the water play. Loved the looks we got from the locals bundled in their snow gear to take a beach walk :)!

 Here is my darling sister, Katie. Can I just say how much I love and adore her? Wish so badly we could live by each other. Here are just some of the reasons she is so great: She isn't fazed by anything, she had a baby six months ago and not one time in a week did I ever hear, "Oh, we have to give the baby a nap or I need to feed the baby." Nope, she just rolled with it all and had a smile the whole time; she is low drama; she is a great listener; she has her priorities straight; she's confident with who she is and doesn't feel like she has to try too hard, for anyone; she cares lots about others, in fact she was helping someone move on Christmas Eve and was happy to do it; she's beautiful; she has a great sense of style without even trying; she can work out harder than anyone I know and likes it; she's a GREAT mom; she has awesome hair; she's dedicated to the gospel; she married a great man; I love her kids like my own; she always wants what is best for me; she never acts put out, annoyed or grumpy; she doesn't need a lot of sleep; she's happy to sit on the phone with me for hours; she's a good cook; she makes incredible treats; she loves me and always has...she's seen me often at my worst, ugliest, meanest, stupidest and most selfish and she's STILL my biggest fan. I love you lots and lots. Thanks for a wonderful week!

 There was a playground at the beach that we also took full advantage of. Surprisingly 20 degrees warmer too!

 Luke is NOT a fan of the cold.

 James is a fan of the swings!

 I love this picture of Katie's family on the steps of an old church. How cute are they all together?

 We headed to downtown Charleston to celebrate the New Year!

 They had fun crafts, singing and activities for the kids.

 We stopped at the dark pier for a little night swinging. Paul, Katie and Spencer's friend, came with us and the boys ADORED him. Really, is there anything cooler than a 16 year old, athletic kid that is super nice to rugrats, carries them around and sings popular songs from the radio at the top of his lungs while we walk down the street. Our crew was quite a sight!

 The boys peeking in the windows of an old church.

Our little spies...it was awesome. Jace started a game that kept them happily walking through the entire town of Charleston as they pretended to be spies. Love 7 year olds and their imaginations! So, just in case you couldn't tell, we had a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!