Don't do this at home kids

There is a trend going around. Someone does something cool or crazy or hard and then they post it online. Then people all around the world see that and they copy it...it become popular and it will morph it a "challenge". There was the cinnamon challenge and the Ice bucket challenge. 

And then there is the "throwing boiling hot water into sub zero temperatures challenge". We did it once...it was super cool.

Mathew did it again....

And it wasn't so cool.

He had blisters all over his back from the burns he got when the boiling water came down on him. The poor guy.

Megan was feeling very protective of him.

Some lessons are more painful than others.

Stuff we eat --- Carol Nelson's Bread

This is our absolute favorite homemade bread recipe. We have adapted it over the years, leaving out the dry milk (it's expensive and we don't miss it).

We've also developed a version for the bread maker. It makes 2 loaves instead of 3, but it doesn't take as much attention.

And don't forget the fun of grinding the wheat in the crazy load grinder!

We're so grateful for electricity! And machines! and brooms!

In the trenches

Not the comfiest of hats...but I suppose it will do the trick!

Everly turns 6!!

Happy SIXTH Birthday, Everbee!

Having a birthday in kindergarten is the best. Look at the size of that crown!

And everyone waits for you to take the first bite!

Everly's absolute favorite dinner:  Caramel apple pork chops and cous cous...with garlic bread and brown sugar steamed carrots.

She said, "I can take the candles out because I am the biwfday guhl". We warned her about not touching the hot part of the wick and, naturally, Ethan reached over at that very moment and touched one with his finger...that's a microcosm of the entire parenting experience, I'd say.

She asked for a calculated that opens and closes. I think she likes to pretend it's a phone and a laptop. It depends on what she is pretending at the time.

And she loves a new notebook! All the girls are notebook crazy!

Happy Birthday sweet little pup!

Turn this ship around

It's time to face the music.

Mark and I have put on a few pounds in the last little while.

We chunkin.

So here we go. We are starting a nutrition plan called Renaissance Periodization (RP diet)

This is us....swallowing our pride.

SNOW!!!

It feel like it has been FOREVER since we have had actual snow. Like snow that you can play in and shovel and hangs around for more than 45 minutes.

It's so beautiful!!

Megan and Anna building the most excellent snowman in the history of all snowmen.

What did I tell you? Whoah...it had a baby!

Snowball fight!

And...oh, dear.  Our poor rug. Doesn't look like it'll be coming in any time soon. But it does make a pretty sweet little poop canopy for the dogs.

Epic mail

Grandma Kathleen sent Mathew an antelope horn in the mail.

Has there ever been a cooler package received by a grandson??

Being musical pays off in unexpected ways. I was given Great Uncle Oz's old violin found out my grandparents house because I was literally the only cousin on the side that played an instrument. Score!

Big boy. Big knife

Sometimes he gets frustrated with our knife selection and dips into his own supply.

Confession: sometimes I do too! ssshhhh......He probably won't read this until he's old enough laugh and forgive me!