Chess isn't just for nerds anymore!

I'm not usually one for product endorsement, but we've found an amazing game. One of our favorite things to do as a family is sit around the kitchen table and play games together. So, in searching for new games for us for Christmas I came across "No Stress Chess". Rory grew up playing chess, and I've told him he should try and teach the kids. "No Stress Chess" took care of it for us. This game is so great at teaching the game that even I have learned (I know, it's hard to believe). So, now we are chess nerds. We play it on the board, we play it on the computer, we even had a family tournament. Rory is the one to beat, but none of us girls even stand a chance against Jacob's emerging strategic skill. You can find it on Amazon for $14.95 - it's well worth every penny!

It's all about the LOVE

So, maybe Valentines has changed over the years. I remember many Valentine days passing that I felt sad that I didn't have anyone to share a valentine with. It's with a very full heart that I look at this picture and realize that I now have 6 beautiful people to share this special holiday with. It seems like we quickly went from candlelight dinners for 2 to candlelight for 7. And with all the "don't touch the candles", "that candy is for decoration", and spilled pina coladas for dinner we didn't exactly get the same feeling we used to when Rory and I were just a couple. But it's still all about the LOVE.

Mom, I want one of those

Due to the fact that I'm a den leader, my kids have the opportunity to attend pack meeting each month. We have a funny pack leader (sorry if that's not his official title, you'd think I'd know that by now). Anyway, he was just commenting on his wife's good cooking and that his pregnant-like belly was evidence of the fact. Jacob turns to me and says, "Mom, you're a good cook and I don't have one of those." Before I even have a chance to stifle a laugh he says, "Could you find out what she fixes so I could get one too?" Kids say the darndest things!

A weekend with the cousins

We got the chance to have our cousins play for the weekend. We had lots of fun painting, sledding, and playing together. Thanks for making memories with us Kristen, Kaylie, and Tyler!

Advice for future generations of women...

NEVER - EVER CHALLENGE A MAN TO ANYTHING!!! I don't even know how the whole conversation started, or how we got to where we did, but the kids and Rory were talking smack and the end result was this:

The kids: Laughing their heads off and commenting on their dad's sanity.

Me: Begging him to change his mind, while simultaneously trying to juggle the video camera and the camera so I could have evidence towards any upcoming sanity plea we may or may not have to make.

Rory: Running outside in temperatures hovering around 10 degrees, in just his swimming suit, to make snow angels in the back yard.

If you think that's crazy, listen to this...When I told him that I didn't get one of the cameras to work, he said that it wasn't that bad and HE DID IT AGAIN!!! Let me repeat - Never challenge a man to anything!!

Do I really need a reason?

Okay, so these pictures are just cute. Sabrina's new favorite snack is a dill pickle. They were all ready for church, so Jacob decided to play No Stress Chess (a game I HIGHLY recommend). I guess I don't really have a reason to post the pictures, they're just to cute to pass up.

Snow Much Fun!!

Grandpa Joe volunteered to take us sledding. What a fun day it was! Grandpa pulled us behind his four wheeler. He had even groomed a trail for us to go on. When that got too boring, Grandpa, Rory, and the three oldest decided to go through the fresh powder. The kids got plastered with snow - but immediately wanted to do it again. We have great video (if I ever figure out how to get it on here I will) of Jacob being thrown off the sled and left behind, covered from head to foot in snow.