Fire Station Visit

  Last weekend Brandon took the boys up to the fire station down the rode from our house. Donaven told me all about the fire trucks and getting to dress up like a a real fire fighter! They want to be just like Daddy when they grow up.

Play-School : Felt Board

If you haven't heard of this awesome artist, Joel of Made by Joel take a minute and check him out. He is really good and has a lot of kid friendly project ideas. After looking over his felt projects. I came up with a few projects for Donaven to try out. He had a lot of fun with it. Especially the penguin, go figure. 

 

Resolution : Date your spouse

This year I decided one of my New Years resolutions would be to try to focus more on my relationship with Brandon. We have gotten out of the habit of dating each other over the past few months and I wanted to change that. So, I decided to implement Operation Date Your Spouse. Here are our guide lines for our dates:

1. Go out every week. 

We almost didn't accomplish this one this week. Several things went wrong today that may have kept us from our first planned outing as if to test our determination on our goal. We had to change plans a bit but we stuck with our commitment and it really paid off.

2. Take turns planning and finding a babysitter. 

Plan dates you know your spouse would enjoy.

It was my turn this week and I really wanted to incorporate Brandon's love of the out doors into our first date of the year. I planned an afternoon of four wheeling and fishing at his mothers property while Susan watched the kids here at our home.

3. Get out of the house.

I kid you not a few nights ago we were trying to spend some time together watching a movie and we had to pause it at least 7 times to handle other things that needed our attention. Getting out of the house helps to eliminate a lot of these distractions

4. Be Creative 

On a tight budget, as we are at the moment, this is a must.

Week One, check!

I think Brandon's favorite part of the day was wielding a machete to cut a new path for the four wheeler. 

Look at those guns, whew!

I felt like a kid flying around and holding on for dear life. 

I can't wait to see what Brandon has planned for next week!

New Years Eve

Angie's family was in town over New Years and we were invited over to the Waite's to celebrate with fireworks.  

Emerson before the fireworks started.

Donaven actually joined in the fun this year. He normally hates anything load so I was pretty impressed. He did get the scare of his life when uncle Jon set off severall black jacks near him with out warning. He finally calmed down and was convinced to stay outside with his cousins for a few sparklers.

Emerson on the other hand went ballistic. I even tried to sit in a car with him hoping to mute the fireworks a bit, but he wouldn't calm down not even for the sparklers. I finally gave up and took him inside. 

Later that evening we all joined at Tiffany & TJ's and played telestrations all evening. That game is hilarious and I can't wait to get it ourselves.

We stayed up late and rang in 2012 together kids and all. I'm looking forward to this New Year its been a bit of a struggle. So many unknown factors and things beyond my control but I feel at peace knowing that all will work out for the best. Come what may...

New Set of Wheels

This little man got a new set of wheels for Christmas. He was so excited to give them a whirl. His cousins were kind, braving the chilly weather and came along for the ride too.

     

 

I think he is getting the hang of it.
I can't wait for us all to get our bikes out and go on another family bike ride.

Gingerbread Village

Over Christmas at my sister Angie's home, we joined in her family tradition of making ginger bread houses. Donaven had a lot of fun picking out the different candies to decorate with and sneaking a few to taste when Gigi wasn't looking. 

After all the cousins finished their houses there was one left over that Angie let Brandon decorate. If you know Brandon you know he doesn't do things half way. His Gingerbread cathedral turned out to be quite a masterpiece. Equipped with a paved candy side walk, manger scene, garland, candle lit windows, and of course what church would be complete with out a couple out back embracing under the mistletoe.

 

They turned out so good and made a lovely Gingerbread Village centerpiece. Thank you Angie for letting us share in the fun!

Four Generations of Mathis Men

Over Christmas we had the privilege of visiting Brandon's Dad and his Grandfather. Donaven was a baby the last time we visited so it was good to catch up again.