Fresh Air!

We took advantage of the "warm" day today. Phoenix has been so fussy today and I didn't know what to do so I decided to take him on a walk. We got all bundled up, Cougar hopped on his bike and we were gone. Heading down our country road was so nice. We are very much outside people. Nobody in our family does well cooped up for long periods of time and we've been housebound by the cold and the yucky air. How nice to stretch our legs. Phoenix loved it, too. We were outside for an hour and he didn't make a peep, just looked around with his big eyes. I have to say that the boys really look alike when both of their noses are red from cold. Now I'm super anxious to get to my mountains. I can't wait for Memorial Day when we traditionally hike to my most favorite place in the whole world, Pittsburgh Lake.

I DON'T HAVE TO DO IT ALL!!

I just had this revelation, okay, really it was more like a DUH! moment. I realized that I don't have to do everything around the house. It's time for Cougar to have chores! I'm working on the laundry and had a full basket of Cougar's clothes. I was just getting ready to put them away when I decided to see if Cougar wanted to *earn* a matchbox car ( I had one left over from potty training) I said earn like it was a the most amazing, stupendous, excitingly magical word in the whole world and of course he was all ready to *earn* it right away. He put all his clothes in the proper drawers and his shirts on hangers. I thought he was too young. What was I thinking? I've got to think up a chore chart, now.

Keep on Chubbin'

I weighed Phoenix yesterday. He is now 16 pounds 9 ounces. HOLY COW!

Family Preparedness

Our ward is participating in a 52 weeks to Family Preparedness Plan. They are sending home little flyers telling us what to get for the week and I thought it would be good thing to blog in case any of you need any help (like I do) getting started.

Last week's flyer said:
Our Church Leaders have asked us to make a concerted effort to obtain our year's supply of food and other essentials. Here are suggestions for a 52 week plan to help us all achieve this. Amounts given are for two people. Adjust the quantities you purchase for the number of family member in your home. The items will change weekly, so keep up with us and take the challenge to become PREPARED.

Food Storage Purchase: 8 cans of Tuna

Extra Item Purchase: 8 rolls of Toilet Paper (1 roll per week for 2 months)

72 Hour Kit: Obtain a backpack or small suitcase with wheels for each family member

Family Preparation (Choose One)
Store enough water for 72 hours
Preferred water storage-2 weeks-14 gallons per person. Also store purifying agents


Spiritual Preparedness
Read D&C 137 and 138
Have church magazines in your home and study the words of the modern day prophets




Week 2

Food Storage Purchase: 8 can of cream of chicken soup

Extra Item Purchase: Laundry Soap to last 2 months

72 Hour Kit: Obtain a blanket(wool is preferred) or sleeping bag per person. Also-sleeping mat


Family Preparation
By your nightstand place a pair of gloves, flashlight and shoes in case of an emergency in the middle of the night

Spiritual Preparednes
Read John 5:39, Mosiah 1:7, and Alma 17:2
Have daily scripture study

Thanks Rice Cereal!

I just got back from teaching karate for the first time since having Phoenix. I tried to go last week but had to come home early because Phoenix won't take a bottle and was hungry. This week I fed him some rice cereal before I left and left Mark some cereal as well. Well, both boys were in bed when I got back! One is sleeping peacefully, the other is singing songs in his bedroom. Thanks Mark, for the much needed break! Thanks rice cereal for making it so Mark didn't have to deal with crying baby all night!

Eating Our Young.

My older sister, Heidi asked me a while back "Do you ever want to eat your baby?" You probably know that feeling that makes you just want to nibble on some cheeks. "You're so cute, I could just eat you up" is a common phrase. I've been thinking about this. Why do we get that urge? I'm sure that there are some wacky scientists out there that would say it is an instinct left over from when we were evolving and had to eat our young for our survival. (Like mice do, sometimes.) But, after lots of research I've come to a conclusion I'm sure you'll agree with.....

NOTHING CAN BE THIS FATTENING AND NOT TASTE HEAVENLY!

Better Late Than Never!

I'm having one of those rare moments when all seems right with the world. Both boys are peacefully snoozing. The dishwasher's running and so are the washer and dryer. It's so quiet I felt like catching up on a post that I've been meaning to do, but just haven't found the time. Phoenix was Baby Jesus for our Christmas Eve Nativity. Mark's cousin's little girls was Mary. She could barely hold Chubs, but she did a great job long enough for me to get a picture. As I stated earlier Cougar wanted to be the special present for Baby Jesus. Here he is in the costume I made him. I cut arms and head holes in a box then wrapped it. Cougar decided that he was gold. He did such a good job as the special present.


On Christmas Eve, Santa visited Grandma Steele's house. He was in rare form. I've never laughed so hard at Santa in my life! Good Job, Santa! Cougar told him he wanted a tractor and a farm.

"More food, please, Santa"

Mark's New Website

As some of you may know, Mark was elected as the Utah Pheasant Society Webmaster recently. He's been working on the new website and it's finally up. I thought some of you might like to take a look at it. There's not a whole lot on there, yet, but it will grow....

www.utahpheasantsociety.webs.com

Boys...ugh

Mommy: "Cougar, get your finger out of your nose."
Cougar: "The boogers need help getting back in!"