Pups and Their Heating Pads

It's getting that time of year again when it gets cold.  Last year, we had a heating pad that Gracie loved to lay on, but one of them chewed through the cord (when it was unplugged) so we didn't like leaving them around.   They make pet-proof heating pads, but they were crazy expensive, like $40-50.  So, I went to the hardware store and grabbed some black tubing, cut it all the way down, and put it around the cord.  Now it's puppy proof for half the price.

This picture is actually one of a kind.  Normally, Gracie is hogging the heating pad, but she got under the pillow instead.  You can barely see her snout.

This picture is rare as well.  They were sharing.

Bob Evans Farm Festival

We took  trip to the farm festival this year with Elise and it was a pretty good time.  Here are a few pics.

The pigs

Welcome setup

Strong pumpkin guy

I think this was supposed to be a pumpkin

Here's a pony we saw as we were leaving.  There were actually two of them and the other kept drinking water and slinging it on this one.

Why Men Hate Going to Church

Why Men Hate Going to Church

By David Murrow

This book, in a very simplistic form, is basically the author’s view that the church is overly feminine, has been since the Victorian Era, and became increasingly more feminine during the Industrial Revolution.  He supports his view by showing a values chart from the book Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus and stating that the values commonly associated with women are the same values commonly associated with Jesus/Christianity.  His book is divided into three sections that ask where the men are, contrasts church culture with man culture, and gives some practical advice in making churches more man friendly.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book.  I got it from the “BookSneeze” website primarily because I wasn’t interested in anything else at the time and had a lack of options.  I honestly thought I would get the book and go through the painfully boring task of reading it through and probably disagree with a number of things.  Contrary to my original thoughts though, I loved the book.  One thing that was refreshing is that the author didn’t seem to be a self-absorbed macho man looking to call men into the church so we can knock the women down a notch.  I just don’t have time to entertain people who think that way.  Murrow seemed genuinely concerned that the church was at a loss from not having men because they can offer so much.  He simply calls us to look at the characteristics of men and base our methods around them.  His concern seemed to be seeing men becoming closer with God and in effect bringing other men to God.  It was encouraging, challenging, written in short chapters, and it was concise.  All of that was right up my alley.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

First Spoon Feedings

We saw the doctor for Elise's four month check-up and she suggested we go ahead and start spoon feeding.  We started with rice cereal, then oatmeal, barley, etc.  These are the first attempts.  She did not want anything to do with at initially.  But, we also figured out not to try doing it when her bottle was due.  She wanted her bottle not a spoon.  But, once we started the spoon feeding between bottles she has done excellent.  She's all the way up to apples now!

Easel

This is an easel I made for Landen.  Kevin and Alicia said he was wanting something they could set his whiteboard on that they could adjust as he got taller.  This is what I came up with.  I just ripped some 2x4s to one inch strips.  Then, cut my angles and started patching it together.

They had given me these furniture legs to use as supports for the whiteboard, but the original screw in it was way too short to fit through the one inch board.  So, I went over to Wagner's and he gave me some longer ones.  I pulled out the old screws, put the new ones in, and attached wing nuts.  

First Meigs County Fair and First Football Game

Here's Elise and mommy at the fair.  She had her new Pooh Bear onesie on.  She was all smiles despite the death metal music playing in the background.  There was a live band playing on the stage that was like a mixture of punk rock and Satan speaking.

 Elise loved her first football game.  We went to South Gallia's new school to watch Eli play in his Jr. High game.

Myrtle Beach 2012

So, the blog has been a little neglected lately..It's kind of been a whirlwind of stuff going on and it just got pushed back a little.  But, here are some pics from our time at Myrtle Beach.

On the way. Sammie took a little nap in the back window area.

We stopped at a Hardees to eat and feed Elise.  I took the pups out for a walk and when we got back, Sammie was all smiles.

This is the first night at Duffy Street seafood.  

This is on Sunday morning before going to church.  Elise barfed a ton on the both of us.  Then, we covered her with a blankie and watched Phineas and Ferb.

Here's her bathing suit!  Although, we never kept her out in the sun much because she can't have sunscreen on until 6 months.  So, we just dressed her for the heck of it.

Family pic at the beach

Enjoying the breeze

Group pic

Weston and Emma

Ole James and Rhonda even made an appearance on Thursday and Friday! 

The pups are afraid of the beach water, but we got them this close before they took off.

Posing for the camera

This is after our 8 hour drive that turned into 12 when we finally got home.  She was tuckered out.  So were here mom and dad.

Elise Randoms

 Getting some tummy time on the boppy

Sitting in the Bumbo seat.  Thanks Stacy!

Wounded Pups

Gracie and Sammie had to get heart worm tested so they had blood drawn.  Here are their wrapped legs.

Crafty

Recently, Kim got the idea of putting Gracie and Sammie's names on the stove using wooden letters.  So, we  got some letters and Kim put scrapbook paper on the big ones and painted the small ones.  Then, she put magnets on the back of them.  I thought they turned out awesome! 

She also put together a shadow box with some of Elise's things.  She did a great job on it as well!