The meaning of Christmas for us

Our family decided a few years ago that we wanted to change the way we celebrated Christmas as a family. We wanted Christmas to be all about family and spending time together and giving to others instead of the materialism of the world around us. Last year instead of exchanging gifts with each other we decided to give to different charities in honor of our family. Jesse and I gave fruit trees to World Vision, so a family somewhere else in the world could grow their own food. We also gave to our church who sponsors the "gift of giving water". So, this year we decided to do something very similar. We decided to draw names in the family and then people could choose whether they wanted to give to a charity, give a gift of time to each other, or make something homemade.

So, Jesse and I decided that with the people's names we had drawn we wanted to do gifts of time. Jesse got my brother Brian's name, and they both love their guns. So, Jesse is going to take Brian out target shooting and then out to lunch at our favorite mexican place Abellardo's. I had Chelea, my sister in law. She is 7 months pregnant, so I knew she needed some relaxation things. I gave her a pregnancy massage while they were in town, and then a basket with a few things for her to use at home to relax. I also went a little further and did a homemade gift for all the women in my family. I just decided to do it last week so I had a few nights this week that I was up till 4am, but it was so worth it. I made lavender scented flaxseed heat packs. I made matching neck and back heat packs. They were a big hit, I think! I love using mine when my muscles are sore, or heating up my feet as I get into bed at night, or even just warming me up when I get home in the evening and my hands are cold. I have even had a few of my massage clients that have made requests for me to make them some heat packs.

One of the neck wraps I made. I even handstamped some tags.

Another one of the great ideas I had a week before Christmas was to get all my brothers and sister-in-laws together and get a picture taken for my parents for Christmas. The last picture of all of us kids was about 8 years ago, before our spouses came along. So, I knew my mom would love it. Jesse has a friend who has gone through photography school and was willing to take pictures of us. The difficult thing was that not all my brothers were coming into town until Wednesday and the only time we could do the pictures was the afternoon of Christmas Eve! We made it happen though! We even went to Walmart and got a few of them printed off so we could have something to give them on Christmas. We even got some pictures of just the two of us with Harley.

We got a great picture of Jesse, me, Julie, Brian, and of course Harley and Maddy

This is all of us kids! We all look a little stiff because we were freezing our butts off!

This was the best picture! We gave my parents an 8x10, and we also gave one to Grandma and our Aunt Bonnie. Of course when mom unwrapped the picture there were a few tears. You know some of the simplest gifts can make the most impact!

So, I woke up one morning this week... I was out in the kitchen and Harley was on the back porch. He was kind of dancing around and I thought he was just chasing bugs like usual. Not this time!! There were about five bees on the porch and he was just trying to play with them. I quickly ushered him back into the house because I didn't want him to get stung (just about 1 week before his sister got stung and she had to go to the vet cause they didn't catch it in time and it got really bad). So, needless to say I thought I caught him before he got stung. So I proceeded with my lovely morning. I was headed over Katie and Jared's to watch Hudson while Katie went out for a while. I then had to come back home after about 20 minutes cause Harley's jowls were pink and swollen.

So this is right when I caught it. He got two benadryl right away...

This was after about 2 hours. He almost doesn't even look like the same dog.

This is Harley after his second dose of benadryl. He was pretty much passed out all day. Finally, by that evening his swelling had started to go down. Hopefully he has learned his lesson about bees!

We Got Grass!!

Camping with the family

We went camping with four dogs and nine people.... It was quite the experience!! Our family always does a weekend camping trip once a year. We went to Farragut State Park this year, so it wasn't too far of a drive for most of us. This was our last camping trip with just my parents, us kids and our spouses. Next year my youngest brother and his wife will have a baby to add to all the fun and excitement. Yes, the first grandbaby of my parents is on its way! We had so much fun this year with all of us! We really enjoyed having the puppies to entertain us! This was the first year we had ever had dogs to take with us too. Farragut has lots of activities to do including swimming, frisbee golf, bike trails, and hiking. Julie and I both said this was the best camping trip yet, because we both felt really good health wise. Godwilling it will continue this way. I am hoping this is something that we can still continue even though our family is changing. It is always a great bonding experience to go camping with your family.

Our handsome puppy just relaxing in the shade

Harley and Maddy in their down time. It was a little warm, so they weren't as active as they usually are.

We took the puppies swimming for the first time. They absolutely loved it!! The water was still freezing cold, so they were shivering most of the time. WE WERE TOO! Harley did end up actually swimming for a few feet, and then realized his feet weren't touching and kind of freaked out. They did enjoy chasing sticks though!!


Farragut has a few small cabins, so we rented one and also used the camp site next to it. Some of us stayed in the cabin and some in tents. It worked out really well for all of our needs. The dogs were just relaxing on their beds with Jesse keeping an eye on them.


Julie and I with the puppies! They were pretty tuckered out by the end of the first night. So much fresh air and sunshine!!


Mom, Dad, Brian, and Julie enjoying some shade while doing dishes


Harley and Maddy just hanging out next to each other... Until next year!!

Babysitting!!

So, we got to puppy sit for Harley's sister for 4 days! They had soooo much fun! We were a little leary about having two puppies around the house, but they were perfect angels, ALMOST!! Yes, they got very dirty, but we are used to that. Yes, they tracked mud in the house, but that already happens. Yes, we had to give them 3 baths in one day, but we have done that before! Yes, they got bit by some insect and got bug bites all over their tummies. Oh well, vet visits happen... Nothing has ever been better!! We thoroughly enjoyed having both puppies. They were very entertaining, and they entertained themselves for 4 days!

This was the last day they were together! They had worn each other out!

They actually ate together. Even with different foods, they didn't try to steal each others' food.

They heard Jesse coming, and they waited so patiently for him to come in the door!

They were so good at sharing toys! They definitely enjoy playing together!

The first night after they played from 9pm-1am. It was definitely time for bed!

Just a brother and sister who love each other!! We were so blessed to be given Harley! We just love having him! He has made our lives so much more fun over the last 6 months! Thanks for coming to play, Maddie!! You can come back any time!

Summer is here!!!

We had the busiest weekend planned and we were so excited that the weather cooperated! First of all my mom and I decided to finally plant our garden. We got my mom a peach tree for Mother's Day, so we had to plant that along with all our veggies. We are doing a family garden this year, so we had to expand so we would have enough room for everything. So, this is about 1/2 of the garden. We have lots of fruits and veggies; strawberries, blueberries, peach tree, raspberries, cantalope, zucchini, tomatoes, bush beans, red peppers, green peppers, jalapeno peppers, carrots, asparagus, onions, and also an herb garden. I can't wait until we start getting some produce!! GROW GARDEN GROW!!!

This is my mom celebrating the fact that we go everything planted!!

So, our next project was spreading 10 yards of top soil in our back yard. We are preparing for grass, so we needed to level out the yard. I helped a little bit, but Jesse did the majority of the work. I can't wait for us to have a real yard for Harley to play in.

Harley was just trying to help us get it all done faster. He thought that maybe if he laid down on the piles somehow it would just magically be done, and we would play with him instead!! I think he was enjoying the cool feel of the dirt...

We almost have a yard!!

So, two weekends ago we decided to tackle the job of putting in our sprinkler system in the back yard. We had Jared Evans bring over the trencher and all the equipment and the guys went to work. Between my husband, Jared, two of my brothers and my dad, they got it done in no time. I think there were plenty of people helping. I did see quite a bit of standing around, but they still got the whole thing done in about 6 hours!! All I had to do was keep them fed all day! I never mind cooking, so it was quite enjoyable for me!! The next step is grass!! Hopefully within the next couple of weeks....

Jesse working away...

The guys finished about half an hour before the rain started. They were very glad to have good weather.

Since I don't have any kids yet, this is all I have to offer the blog!!

Harley and Mady had so much fun playing! They were sooo tuckered out afterwards...

Harley and Mommy on the new patio with the new table set up. We are all ready for the summer barbeques, except for grass!!

Harley is sooo focused!! He will do anything for a fruit snack!!

It was nap time...

Harley's first destruction!! We left a bag of charcoal in the back yard when we left him... Less than two hours later and this is what it looked like.

Harley & Stuff

So, our little puppy isn't so little anymore!! He has already passed the 40 pound mark. So, we got him when he was only about 8-9 pounds. We have only had him for 3 months and he has gotten huge. Although he will probably end up about double what he is now. He is so much fun!! I thought I would just post a few pictures of some of his tired moments and fun antics over the past few months.

Harley loves to cuddle with mommy!!

He loves to lay in the sun and relax!

I had the curtains closed, but he knew the sun was shining so he went behind the curtain. I called his name and he just poked his head out just to say hi. Adorable!

I guess you could say he has slightly grown out of his bed. He still enjoys it though.