Animal Farm

We've had some excitement this month at the Crager house! Puppies! Millie had a litter of 4 puppies last Thursday. Of course she would have them in the dead of winter. Needless to say we've had a house full of animals in our house multiple nights. Add our 2 kitty cats to the mix and Stella and you truly have an animal farm!! The kids are loving it and are obsessed with holding the puppies. Also note Minnie's sleeping arrangements below. This is BRANTLEE's cat that seems to sleep with me and share MY pillow ;)

One night a while back we had a sleepover with the cousins. Fischer and Tate spent the night and the boys may or may not have gotten into B's dress up clothes...

Collin's class celebrated 100 Days of School last week. Hard to believe! I love his thoughts on being that old:

I turned 31 on the 20th and we had fun celebrating. Kyle and I had a nice date one night to Walnut Circle, our favorite. Another night the kids and I and my dear friend Amanda went out for dinner- fun! I love my gifts the kids picked out, the card (ha!), and my homemade hat and card :) :)

Another something big happened recently... B got her ears pierced!!! It was surprisingly drama free, a piece of cake. She made up her mind and went for it, and she is so proud of herself! Here are the before and after pics. Not the first tear (shockingly)!

And speaking of our B, I just have to make mention of her very unique personality. This child loves everybody. Like even people she doesn't know. She makes instant friends and never meets a stranger. She met this girl one night and in less than one minute they were best friends. I hope she always has this quality. 

I took the kids to the library recently, which was a mild disaster with 'you know who' ;) BUT Collin was loving it! He is really getting into reading independently and loves it. I bought him his first kids chapter book and he is so proud of his progress in it.

The kids and Kyle went on their last big hunting trip last weekend. Ty and I did not tag along. Looks like a productive hunt to me!

Sister went to the birthday party of a lifetime last weekend. It was a princess party with the real Cinderella! We had tea and cake with her and learned how to be a real princess. B wouldn't leave her side! It was so precious!

Oh you know, just shooting random stuff in the yard. It was so nice yesterday. But today we are out of school bracing for a "Winter Storm."  Hopefully we'll have some good snow pictures to come! (Fingers crossed). It's sleeting like crazy as I type.

Ringing in 2014

The year has started out FRIGID! The coldest it's been here in years it seems. It's been nice having a week after Christmas to regroup and get some projects done around the house. Collin's room got a much needed paint job. Kyle and I celebrated NYE with a night out at Laurel's Junior Auxiliary fundraiser. The big kids stayed with Lolly and Poppy and the Reid boys, and Ty stayed with Pammie and Mee Maw. They got to shoot fireworks NYE and NY Day. Another night, we took the kids bowling with the Burchfields. Collin's new name is "Lucky"- the boy was on fire! Brantlee was worn out by the night's end and preferred to slide around on the slippery floor. We enjoyed a family breakfast at Krispy Kreme one morning- right in line with resolutions, ha! Also, a sweet and VERY busy little boy turned 18 months old this week.

Now it's back to routines, work and school this week for all of us, including me tutoring 3 days a week. Getting back in the school routine was a little rough. It didn't help that it was only 14 degrees this morning. No one wanted to stir!

Welcome 2014! We look forward to what's in store!

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9