January Break

New Year's Day has always been a big deal in Brooks' family growing up with football games and chicken wings. Since he has only been back there once since we were married, I always try to make it special with food (WINGS!) and treats for the family while of course watching some football. The food has morphed into things I like too, like fruit pizza, chocolate covered strawberries, slush and artichoke dip. Wait, this is sounding like it's more about me now. ha! Well the kids don't complain.

(Wynn looks homeless)

 Still during the break our family took a windy drive back to St. Louis to see old friends and go to the temple. A hotel with a pool is a must.

 Some of our best friends live there and spending time with them was GOOD for the soul. They happen to have 10 kids too, so it's always a party when we get together with the Champmans.

With the new year comes new goals, new directions and the bettering of yourself and forcing others around you to be better. Let me explain.....

Brooks constantly says he lives in a house of thieves, cheats and liars. (comforting....)

But it's true. Our closet and high places get raided like a pantry during a famine. "Hide it better" you say? Well, it's my closet dangit so we decided just to have a lesson be taught they might remember. Our bag of treats and cup of money seem to be the magnetic targets of all kids who can reach the top shelf. Meaning everyone Royce (with a chair) and up. Knowing the size of their fingers and knew it would be okay, he places strategic mouse traps in the candy bag AND money cup.

 

Did it work?

Well we did find some mousetraps un-set. But never heard any yelping and of COURSE no one was going to come forward and say they couldn't use their fingers anymore because they were stealing!

But it brought us some comfort....until it didn't and I needed a quarter and reached up into the cup and got my fingers nice and snapped. Brooks was standing RIGHT there and said he had never heard a louder yelp. 

Next time I will find my own quarter.....Everly-style and just search the couches.