First Day of School 2012

Megan 1st grade

Megan(1st) and Mitch(3rd)

The first day of school for all of us!

Italian Beef in the crock pot

Italian Beef
3-4 lb Pot roast
1 jar pepperocini peppers
2 tsp Italian seasoning
2 C beef stock
1 medium onion, finely diced
garlic and pepper to taste

Cook all ingredients in crock pot(including juice of pepperocini peppers) on HIGH for 4 hours. Serve as sandwiches with mozzarella or Parmesan cheese.

This recipe came from a mom in a mom's group a long time ago.  It is super easy and one I dug up this summer for something different.

A Season of Change

Next week I start a new season in my life.  I will be going back to work.  In May I accepted the position as an Education Assistant at Lincoln Academy...also the kid's school.  The summer has been filled with lots of excitement and hesitation, especially as August rolled around.  It was great to be hired in May and still have 3 months as a full time mom, but it also gave me time to think, "oh shoot! work? really?!"  I haven't worked in almost nine years and never with kids so it will be a change for all of us.

Pray for me, Frank, the kids and my kindergarten students.  I have read Jeremiah 29:11 over and over and know that this is His plan for me in this new season.

Happy Birthday Hula Girl!

We celebrated Megan's 6th(July 18th) birthday with a Luau and all of our family a few weeks ago.  Megan's 5th year was a great one, and she has grown up so much, even just since the start of the summer.  In less than 2 weeks she will be a 1st grader and go to school all day just like her big brother.

Some of Megan's fabulous traits: her love of fashion and all things pink, her imagination, her great smile and her huge heart for others. Love ya, Megs!

Our Glenwood Trip

We took our annual Glenwood trip this summer with the Wernlein clan two weekends ago.  It was a hiking, swimming, adventure filled weekend, as usual.  This is our after the hot spring pool picture.  Unfortunately, all four of us ended up a little crispy, but we had a wonderful time and can't wait for next year.

Colorado Springs Vacation '12

The kids and me at Garden of the Gods

Over Father's Day weekend, last month,  we vacationed to Colorado Springs and did the local tourist thing.  We visited Garden of the God's, Cave of the Winds, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and drove up Pikes Peak for a 14,000 foot view of our state.  It was a wonderful trip and great to get away for a few days.  A week after we got back the area we had just visited was overcome by one of the worst wildfires our state has seen in almost 10 years.  Some of the areas we had just visited were threatened by the Waldo Canyon Fire, and other were safe.  We felt lucky to have visited and made the memories we did, and are praying for all those affected.

Happy 4th

From our family to yours...we hope you had a very happy and festive 4th of July!

Frank's favorite cake

I am taking this cake to my parent's house for their 4th of July BBQ tomorrow.  It is one of Frank's favorite desserts and really easy.  I decided to post it here because I really thought I had lost the recipe, and thought it would be helpful to have it posted somewhere.  Enjoy!

Brown Sugar Cake
1 pkg. yellow cake mix
1 pkg. (3.4 oz) vanilla flavor instant pudding
4 eggs
2/3 C sour cream
1/2 C oil
1 C brown sugar
2 tsp. powdered sugar

1. Heat oven to 350.
2. Beat first 6 ingredients with a mixer for 3 min. or until well blended.
3. Add brown sugar; mix well.
4. Pour into 12 cup fluted pan.
5. Bake 60 min. or until toothpick comes out clean when inserted into center.  Cool cake in pan for 15 to 30 min.  Loosen cake from sides of pan; invert onto wire rack.  Remove pan; cool cake completely.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar just before serving.

Summer fun!

July!?  What?  Already?  We've been having so much fun this summer that I haven't had time to sit at the computer and even think about posting on the blog.  Here is a quick pic of Frank and I from last weekend at my brother-in-laws surprise 40th birthday party.

Summer reading list

I love to read, and the summer is always a great time to get caught up on some of the books I have had on my shelf or on a list to checkout from the library.

This is what I am looking forward to reading this summer:
Arcadia
The Buddha in the Attic
The Dovekeepers
The Devil in the White City

Cute cousins!

Megan, Isobel and Mitch

My dad took this great picture of the kids last week.  It's a great picture of three adorable kiddos.

In a rut

Megan and I went clothes shopping yesterday, and as I picked up another black shirt she said, "No Mom!  All you wear is black and green!".  Yes, my "mom outfit" was criticized by my 5 year old fashionista.  The critique continued in the dressing room when she said I needed more "sparkle", and I could only wear my favorite outfit(for the summer it is camo green capris and a black shirt) once a week.  Snap!  She's so funny, but the truth does hurt.  The kids aren't little anymore, so maybe I can add a little color back into my wardrobe, and stop using the excuse that I am hiding spit-up, slobber and stains.  Anything I get on myself is my own doing, but black does hide dog hair well.

Go Pink for my aunt

Tomorrow my Aunt Wendie starts chemo for Stage 2 Breast Cancer.  She was diagnosed on May 8th and is ready(or not) to be begin a battle no woman wants to under go.  Knowing her she will do so with a big fight.  Please pray for her tomorrow, and wear a little pink in her honor.

If you are close to my family you can be updated on her progress on her care page here.

Megan's Kindergarten Graduation

Megan graduated from Kindergarten at Lincoln Academy yesterday.  She has done an amazing job this year, and was awarded with the Core Knowledge Award of "Dr. Seuss" for her creativity in writing and illustrating.  She is such a spirited and talented young girl.

Bring on Summer Break and then 1st grade!

Mother's Day 2012

Happy Mother's Day!...2 days late, but shouldn't everyday be Mother's Day?

I had a wonderful day this year: worship, lunch with my family, a walk with Megan and the dogs, a movie on the couch with the family, and dinner at my parents to celebrate my mom.  Megan painted me this coffee mug last week at Into the Fire, and I love it.  The kids also got me chocolates and seed packets for us to plant.  So cute!  Frank gave me, as always, a very nice day to relax and enjoy time together as a family.  I love that man!

Mitch's Immigration project/recipe

Mitch(2nd grade) is studying Immigration, and tomorrow is their Immigration Feast.  Tonight we made German Honey Cookies.  Our family has been studying Germany and some of the recipes that our relatives might have made.  Mitch decided that bratwurst wouldn't taste good cold at school tomorrow, so he is taking cookies.

Give Away on Amy Cornwell

Jump on over to Amy Cornwell's site and enter her giveaway for this month
http://www.amycornwell.com/just-be-you-a-giveaway/#more-1135
If you aren't familiar with her jewelry then you should be.  It is wonderful.  I have 3 pieces that I wear all the time, and LOVE!  Very cute and unique.

Seasons are Changing

Big changes are coming for (me) the Wernlein family.  Stay posted...

Circus Days

Last Sunday we went to the El Jebel Shrine Circus.  It was my niece, Isobel's, first circus.  She loved the lights, and checking out what Mitch was up to.  The big, and little, kids always have a great time.

April catch up

The last few weeks of April have just flown by. We celebrated Easter and my sister's birthday on the same day. I tried to make it special for her, but hard boiled eggs are never anyone's request for their birthday. She took it well, especially as a new mom, and clebrated with all of us and her super cute 4 month old daughter. See the cuteness below.

I have been volunteering at the kids' school more and more, and in just a few days will wrap up the big fundraiser we have been working on for a few months. I enjoy every minute of it, and am so glad I have this season of my life to spend with my kids in their classrooms, working with their teachers, and meeting their friends.

With April more than half over May looms ahead, one of the busiest months of the school year, and the kids are starting to look ahead to summer. I can't say I blame them, but Megan keeps saying, "1st grade". Is that possible?! The seasons are changing, that's for sure!

My sister and me on Easter, and also her Birthday!
Isobel at 4 months
Bunnies and chicks can't compare to this cuteness!

Spring Break 2012

The kids were on Spring Break last week and we had a pretty eventful week.

Monday - lazy day
Tuesday - picked up Megan's new glasses(#2 pair) and had lunch at McDonald's
Wednesday - spent the afternoon jumping at Big Time Jump
Thursday - hung out with Grandma and Isi
Friday - met friends at the park and then had lunch with Grandma, Grandpa and Isi
Monday(long Spring Break!) - Saw The Lorax with Grandma and Grandpa

The kids enjoyed playing Legos, Wii, seeing friends, sleeping past 6:30am but I enjoyed...

this

and this

7 More foods to watch out for

I shared this article on Facebook, but thought I would post it here too. I think I am going to have to do something about Frank's popcorn addiction. Hmmm...

Read on:

http://www.ecokaren.com/2010/02/7-foods-even-food-safety-experts-won-t-eat/

All purpose meat marinade

I found this meat marinade on www.allrecipes.com and had to share. You can use it with beef, chicken or pork.

3/4 C of your favorite BBQ sauce
1 T. soy sauce
1/3 C Italian dressing
1/3 C honey
1/2 t. garlic powder

Mix ingredients together really well. Place marinade and meat into a zip top container and marinade a minimum of 30 min. - overnight.

Mitch: Allergy update

Last week Mitch got great news from the allergist. He will now be getting his allergy shots every 2 weeks. He is doing really well with his allergies and asthma and we have worked 3 years to get him to this place. I remember after his first shots when he asked me, "how many more of these do I have to get, Mom?". At that time I didn't have the heart to tell him, "lots". He's been a real trooper and taking much less allergy medication this season so we have definitely see a big improvement. I am proud of him for enduring all of the "sticking".

Puke-y getter-out-er

Where was this recipe for vomit cleaner when we needed it yesterday? Megan had the 24 hour stomach bug and the poor thing spent the hours of midnight and 6 am barfing. : ( I happened on this when I was on www.pinterest.com yesterday and thought I would share.

Vomit Cleaner
http://www.howtocleanthings.com/how-to-clean-vomit.htm

Megan's new glasses!

Megan has had a big week. First a fish and now...GLASSES! She looks so cute! She loves wearing them, and most importantly, she can see better! The first thing she did when she got home with them Thursday afternoon was grab a book so see how well she could read with them on. Today was her first day wearing them to Kindergarten and she did amazing!

Megan's first pet

Meet "Nya", Megan's first pet fish. Nya is a female Betta fish and Megan has spent the last two days getting ready for her arrival. She helped clean the bowl, wash the marbles, prepare the water and today we went to Petsmart to pick her out. Megan even knew we needed fish food and a net for her. It has been a very fun experience, and I was so nervous driving home with our new pet you would have though we had an actual newborn in the car. Everytime we hit a bump or turned a corner Megan would say, "Careful Mom!".

Megan has been taking care of Nya at home, too. She introduced her to Mitch, Cora, Mazie, Frank and most of her stuffed animals and Barbies. It's very cute. We hope Nya lives with us for a long time ::fingers crossed::!!

Megan and her new pet fish, Nya.

Love this site!

Check out this website I have been reading http://www.godsradiogirl.com/ If you are a fan of KLOVE radio then you might recognize Lisa Williams. She used to be on in the mornings; I was a huge fan. She and her husband go to our church now. Check it out. She is an amazing woman of God.


http://www.klove.com/ is on in the Denver Metro area on 91.1 FM.

Sick and Tired

Mitch came down with "the badness" over the weekend. That's what we're calling this most recent illness anyway. I took him to the doctor yesterday, and he has a double ear infection. Not fun at all. The coughing was what really took us in, and I was very surprised by the ear infection. His asthma has been doing really well for the past 6 months and we have cut back on a lot of his medications, but this most recent "badness" sent, mostly me, for a loop. You forget how great great really isn't until it isn't anymore. So, Mitch and I had a pretty long weekend. We lost a lot of sleep, and now I have "the badness". I always take a concoction of herbs and vitamins whenever the kids even start to act like they are sick but it didn't work this time. Mitch and I are toughing it out though. We have watched a lot of TV, played Wii, and I started a pretty good new book.

Tomorrow: school(him) and mommy stuff.

Kissable

I stole this picture off of my sister's Facebook page. This is my niece, Isobel, isn't she a cutie?! She is almost 3 months old and I just want to kiss and hug her. I love when my sister texts me sweet pics of her. She sent me this one on Valentine's Day and then posted it on Facebook. Isobel: cute, kissable, squeezable, just darn cute!

Aunt Erin loves you a bushel and a peck, Is!

Thirty-four

On Wednesday, the 8th, I celebrated my 34th birthday. It was a pretty good day, all in all. Frank and I went out last weekend to celebrate at the Melting Pot for a nice romantic dinner. It was snowy, we ate cheese, lobster tail, and delicious dark chocolate. It was such a nice evening, and if it didn't cost so much I think we would do it again. Frank's parents also gave us tickets to the Avalanche game on Tuesday so we have had two date nights in less than a week. Spending time with Frank is always top of my birthday list. The kids got me cute gifts too. Mitch got me lots of chocolate(good boy!), and Megan got me a charm for my charm bracelet. It was a great day and I am looking forward to what my 34th year has in store.

First Snow Day of 2012

Cora enjoying the snow on Friday.

On Friday school was cancelled because we got about 18 inches of snow overnight. This morning we woke up to another 3-4 inches. It is really pretty, but a lot of work to shovel. Frank and I had 20 minutes to shovel out the driveway before the Sears delivery guys arrived yesterday with our new washer and dryer. I am so thankful that Sears was delivering even if the schools were closed and the roads were a mess. Since we were warm inside I spent the day washing, drying and folding clothes! Yay! So nice to have machines that work again.

Precious Child

Traci(my sister) and Phil had their sweet daughter, Isobel Christine, baptized this past Sunday. She was just as cute as ever, and surrounded by many of her family and friends. Love you, Is! May you walk in faith, and may your beauty shine outward. You are a precious gift from God.

My sister and Isobel. Like mother, like daughter. Aren't they beautiful?!

Super fast and twirly weekend

Mitch participated in his Cub Scout Pinewood Derby over the weekend and came in 2nd place in his Den and 3rd overall. He was very excited to have a fast car this year. He worked really hard and had just a little help from dad, Grandpa and our good friend Todd.

Megan had her first dance recital on Sunday afternoon. She was very excited to dance, but really not excited about the tight fitting costume, or the fact that it was yellow and not pink. She did amazing anyway and danced a tap and ballet routine.

New Reader

We have a new little reader in the house...Megan! She is downstairs with Frank right now reading one of her favorite books by Mercer Meyer, as Frank cheers her on like a big cheerleader. It is very fun to listen to. She has been working very hard since Christmas break to read on her own just like her big brother and now has the hang of it. I am so glad both kids love to read(Mitch is also reading near me on the couch) because it is one of my favorite things to do, and we make frequent, frequent, trips to the library.

Go Megan!

Shirley, Grandma, Great Grandma

Mitch, Megan and Grandma at her 80th birthday party on December 7, 2010

Just after Christmas my Grandma went home to be with the Lord and her husband, and my grandpa Jack, in heaven. Loosing her was so much harder than words can express. She fought a good fight right to the very end, and proved to everyone just how incredible stubborn and strong willed she really was.


I've written and re-written this post several times, and can't even begin to share in words what I want about her so I made a list of some of my grandma's favorite things(according to me and in no particular order):
flowers
cooking shows
reading
sewing
her grandchildren
her great grandchildren
potatoes
traveling with my grandpa
cooking and making sure people were well fed



Love you much Grandma! Kiss and hug grandpa for me, and the next time we're together we'll peel potatoes and chat.

Best of 2011

My "Best of 2011" is coming to you in 2012 in pictures...

We took our first big family vaction to California!

Traci and Phil welcomed this precious little one, Isobel Christine, on November 21st!

We love her so much!

Happy New Year

Megan Rockin' in the New Year!

We celebrated the New Year last night with our extended family by eating until we were stuffed and playing Wii. Both kids stayed up until midnight, but I feel asleep on the couch around 11pm. It always cracks me up how we blow horns, get excited and tell the kids "Happy New Year" at midnight, and then they say, "that's it!?". Such an anti-climatic holiday. Megan did have an eventful morning, she lost her first tooth. She was very excited to show it off and even more excited for the tooth fairy to come, which she did.

Happy 2012 from our family to yours, may you be healthy, happy and truly blessed!