PHINES FAMILY UPDATE
Join us on our adventures across the United States

with 3 rugrats, an army guy and me...

oh and don't forget Kosmo :)

December 31, 2008

What a Break!

So the New Year is almost here and this break has flown by. What have we accomplished??? Well not much LOL. Josh decided to start a new HUGE project with his car and I think I may be wishing it was Michelle's-at My Two Army Brats- husband instead of me under the car LOL.

From Josh's Car


Yep that is me helping ever so kindly! Kirke might actually be more help than me though LOL.

He started out with this
From Josh's Car

and is now to less than this!!!!
From Josh's Car


Seriously look what Drag Racing has started in our house hahahahaha.

Along with practicing some mechanic skills we have all had our turn at being sick in one form or another. We made it the WHOLE first part of the school year with only two kid being out sick for one day each!!! The day after school is out though oh boy let is roll LOL. I guess at least we can all just stay home and be bums and play games! Our new favorite game to play is The LadyBug Game Jake is loving being able to play on his own since I was a TERRIBLE mother and left Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders at school!!! OOOPPPS!!!! Speaking of which...
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Moms teach your children to play these classic games LOL. It was absolutely amazing to me that out of 5 Kindergarten classes of 13-15 children only 2-4 in each class knew how to play these games!!!! YIKES!!!!

December 27, 2008

What Happens When...

The kids stay up late to watch a Christmas movie!

From December Pics

Our Christmas Eve Traditions

Most families have many traditions... at home it is ribs and family. My Grandpa, my parents, my 3 sets of Aunts and Uncles, 11 cousins, and my family since I am the oldest and the only one married and kids LOL. Yep it is a houseful...full of love and laughter...some years sadness mixed in...and a whole bunch of silliness. We all share presents with one another and enjoy ribs, lefse, cookies, salads, and much more. Now that we do not return back home for Christmas we have made our own traditions. Instead of a houseful, it is just us...instead of ribs, we have enchiladas (thanks to Margaux)...we still go to Christmas Eve service...

but then it is time for s'mores....

From December Pics

From December Pics

Open up those PJs and Slippers....
From Christmas Eve

From Christmas Eve

From Christmas Eve

From Christmas Eve




Hot Cocoa and Christmas Stories...This year JT read "Polar Express" to them and then I read the "The First Christmas", "The Soldiers' Night Before Christmas", "You Can Do It, Sam" and "You Are My Miracle." Every year these stories are read. Soon each one will have a story to read. "You Are My Miracle" will always be mine to share with them.
From Christmas Eve

From Christmas Eve

From Christmas Eve

From Christmas Eve

From Christmas Eve


and then time for bed and Santa to visit.

Lefse!

Every year, no matter where we are Lefse is a must! Being as I grew up with many Norwegian traditions this is one that I will never give up. Another one that I will be bringing back next year is Krumkake...yum yum. Here is this years batch of lefse...it was a big hit and now my family thinks it needs to be a staple here LOL.

From Cooking Pics


The 3 keys to yummy lefse!!!


From Cooking Pics
LOL Yep it all starts with potatoes!

From Cooking Pics

Hmmmm....Josh says he is pretty sure I just like to make mashed potatoes :)
From Cooking Pics
Finally some dough!

From Cooking Pics
Rolled out really really thin.


From Cooking Pics
Frying up the lefse!


From Cooking Pics
After it has cooled in the towel.


From Cooking Pics
Then cut it into pieces.


From Cooking Pics
YUMMMYYY!!! Butter and sugar...the kids love it with cinnamon and sugar or jelly but I was out of both. Ooops.


From Cooking Pics

The kids favorite way to eat lefse...rolled up!

Christmas Parade

Finally our lives have returned to some quiet and normalcy and I can update and empty my camera! We went to the Annual Bi-City Christmas Parade this year and had a wonderful time. It was a wonderful 30 degrees out and we were standing on the bridge over the Chattahoochee River so it was a tad bit chilly LOL.

From Christmas Parade


We saw many floats and enjoyed an wonderful opening to our Holiday Season!



From Christmas Parade

From Christmas Parade

BRRR!!!!!


From Christmas Parade

From Christmas Parade


We were wondering if they knew there was a parade going on!!!!!!


From Christmas Parade


From Christmas Parade

The Crazy Kiddos!!!!

December 17, 2008

Wordless Wednesday

Things have been VERY busy this week but I will update on Sunday when I get back from taking Erik to the airport! Here is just a small picture of what I found today after my kids helped me make dinner!!!

From Jakes Antics


Was it Jake??? NOPE it was Savannah!!! UGH...seriously someday I might keep up with them :)

December 12, 2008

Photo Story Friday

Josh LOVES pecans and will just sit and eat them. Jake decided he would like to try them LOL.

From Halloween, Tree, Program
UMMMM Maybe they will be ok????




From Halloween, Tree, Program
I'm Really Trying To Like It....





From Halloween, Tree, Program

NEVER MIND...TRASH CAN HERE I COME!!!

LOL...I guess pecans are not a big hit with Jake.

December 11, 2008

JT!!!

His little Christmas Program was today and it was so sweet. They don't do an organized one, so his teacher put together a little thing for the parents after lunch today.

WE PUT OUR HOOVES IN... WE PUT OUR HOOVES OUT

From Halloween, Tree, Program


From Halloween, Tree, Program


From Halloween, Tree, Program

Christmas Tag

1. What is your favorite Christmas Movie? Polar Express
2. Favorite Christmas Song? "O Holy Night" by Josh Grobin
3. Favorite Holiday Memory? My Grandma Ruth and her special Christmas dress...oh how I miss her.
4. What kind of cookie/treat do you like to make? Mexican wedding cookies, Melt In Your Mouths, and Lefse
6. Do you love Starbucks? Yes, Chai and pumpkin spice Lattes
7.What makes the perfect Snowman? Top Hat to make him come to life =)
8. Best gift you have ever given? Probably the scrapbook I made for my Grandpa with all the kids' pictures.
9. Best gift you have ever received? My tool box and tools!!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE my tools.
10. What is the snowman's name on Rudolph? Sam
11.Silver or Gold? Silver
12. What is your favorite Christmas decoration? My Christmas Bells like my Mom and Grandma have. I have never been so excited to find an ornament!!!
13. What's your Christmas decorating style? It is becoming more and more snowmanish LOL.
14. Do you hang stockings? Yes
15. How many days do you celebrate Christmas? Right after Thanksgiving
16. What do you want this year? LOL I already got my camera for Christmas way back in May hahahaha.
17. What was your favorite ornament on the tree as a child? It wasn't on the tree but behind the tree...it was the bird that chirped at my Grandparents house!!!!

I tag....Brandi and Michelle

Jake's Antics!!

From Halloween, Tree, Program

These eyes are why everyone wonders why I say that Jake is my extra angel boy!!!!

Today I had more than one cat!!!! Jake decided that he would be a kitty for the day and follow Corona around the house. He was on the table with Cory(Cory was busy trying to escape him LOL)...then to the living room couch...then to this that I captured. I am so glad he has such an active imagination but when the cat jumps on the trash can to the counter that doesn't mean you should follow!!!!

My two favorite kittens.
From Jakes Antics

MEOOOOWW!!!!!
From Jakes Antics

Loving the real cat!!!
From Jakes Antics


The cat did finally get away after this...as you can tell he was real thrilled. Good thing we got him when Savannah was little and he is well trained in the way of children LOL.

December 09, 2008

'TIS THE SEASON

Align Center
From Halloween, Tree, Program

Merry Christmas!!!





From Halloween, Tree, Program


From Halloween, Tree, Program


From Halloween, Tree, Program