Heart Food

Katelyn thought that this Valentine's day, we should eat all heart food.  If that's not a challenge, I don't know what is.  How many foods can you come up with in the shape of hearts?  This was going to be interesting.  

     Breakfasts have been pancakes for a number of months since I first started making them.  Breakfast was simply heart pancakes, but to add the fun factor, we added strawberry jam and whipped cream.  Mmmm!

 

I had also covered some strawberries and blackberries with chocolate the night before for a treat, so we pulled those out with breakfast as well.  It was something new for Megan to get used to.

Making Valentines for Micah and Mackenzie

  Lunch was a bit more of a challenge, but we sufficed with heart spaghetti sauce on the noodles.

Suppertime was spent in Cody at the Hensons house.  Since Jason was working evenings and Jon was on a night shift on the ambulance, the women and children got together for dinner.  Friday night dinners at the Hensons is always pizza and popcorn, so Sheila added a heart element to it.

Micah and Megan

Mackenzie adores her friend, Katelyn

The kids had fun making valentines for each other and giving them to their friends as soon as we walked in the door.  We had fun, love filled day.

Backyard Horse

Megan gets some horse time in as well

         Katelyn wearing off some energy.

Cowgirl in the Making

Jason has been asked to help a friend learn to ride.  He met Dana through the ER where she works as an EMT, with her husband Danny.  Dana had a horse accident when she was 13 and hasn't ridden since.  So 40 something years later, she wants to learn again.  Her daughter or husband could teach, but sometimes it is hard to take criticism from family.  So, she asked Jason, which is great for us since they have the horses and Katelyn go along and get comfortable around them too.  They invited us over January 16th, for supper and an afternoon of riding. 

Java checking out Katelyn

 

Megan was all about touching the horses

 

We wanted Katelyn to get comfortable riding, but she wasn't willing to try by herself at first.  So she got on with Daddy.  That seems to help the uneasiness.

After a little leading around, she was getting more comfortable.  Savannah was an excellent horse.  Jason had gotten on her first since it had been a while since she had been ridden.  She did really good and was a calm, older horse willing to just go for an easy walk.  After a while, the reins were handed over to Katelyn and she was told how to "steer".  She was having a great time with a big smile all over her face.  Daddy stayed close to instruct and Savannah just followed him around the round pen.

 

 

When it was time to put Savannah away, Katelyn was wanting to lead her.  She did really great.  We have to get out there more often once it gets really warm.  Dana and Danny kept saying, as Katelyn was riding, "You're gonna have to get her one."  One day, hopefully we can get back into horses. 

Bitterly Cold Outing

December led us into a really cold 10 days of real winter.  Something I haven't felt since Canada.  It was down into the low negatives, which makes going anywhere not fun.  My Katelyn was excited for the snow that came with it and wanted to go out.  Well, where one goes, so must the other.  Daddy was sent out to help wear off some steam.  We got this little girl all bundled up with no complaints.  

 Being small and bundled made things harder for Megan.  Falling down left her pretty helpless, which was kind of funny to watch. 

Megan got sent down the slide only to land at the bottom and put her arms up for help.  Coming in called for some hot chocolate.

Shaking up some whip cream

Using the Kerig for hot water for chocolate.  This way Katelyn can help make it with minimal fuss.

Adding the whip cream

Little Ponytail

 I don't know why she wasn't happy, but that pony tail was sure cute on her, and she actually kept it in pretty well.

Deer Hunting Drive

Throwing rocks in the creek

 One Sunday after church, we drove up the Southfork to look for deer to fill Jason's deer tag.  We were unsuccessful in the hunt, but the drive was nice and the girls were great travelers. 

Goggle eyes

Katelyn had a pair of swimming goggles and we found another pair for Jason, but Megan wanted to join in the fun.  She is saying "Cheese" in the last picture.