Days with the Dorans

We were so lucky to be able to spend our mid-winter break in Elk Rapids! Danny usually goes but he went and visited Nicole and now that our baby is in Traverse City, we're trying to get up there as much as possible! Joey wasn't able to join us but Ali was able to come for the tail end of the weekend. Most of the week though was me, Jeff, and the Littles. Wendi and Scott came too and I'll write separate posts of some of our other adventures. It was so great to see Zach! I feel like I don't see him enough and he's far enough away that you can't just go for a day or weekend. It's a lot of driving. They had A LOT of snow up north (you can't see it in that picture. Of course Z was in crocs! I've never been up north in the winter but it was gorgeous! I realized that I forgot my shoes!!! EHHH! So I did miles in my docs. Not the best footwear for longer treks but oh well. I love my five mile route there and I was going to do it with or without shoes! Another...

  I love that Seany is doing pep-band and it's kind of fun to see sports in HS that weren't OUR kids' sports... We ended up going to a hockey game which was fun because we got to see Phoebe play, and Wendi and Scott came by AND... They were doing a pink out came and I saw THREE of my former students!! It was great to see the Olssons but the girls left shortly after the halftime presentation. I got to track down their brother after the game though! Josh now goes to WMU! Go Bronocos!! Of course I was there for MY cutie so had to snap a few pics of him looking pretty in pink! I'm sure he'll love that if he ever reads that! This is a classic Sean look! Love him!

AI is a strange thing and many I know do pictures of themselves on there (which can also seem weird). I do find myself watching though. I have been told by my kids I am not to use it though and that it is bad for the environment- BUT... my mom was playing around and sent me this. She made it from a picture she took of me and my brother at Ali's birthday. I kind of can see me in there- and maybe a bit of Danny... But I know that guy in the background is supposed to be Jeff and the ONLY reason I know that is because he is wearing Jeff's sweatshirt- even though that's not exactly what it said... My mom also did one with my dad. The best was that he grew an extra hand! I am sure this will be interesting one day. I think AI is a bit creepy still... What about you?  

A while back, Eric told me he was making his dogs' their own food and said it wasn't that hard. Now I DON'T cook- but for THESE guys, I do! I have been making their food now and I feel so much better knowing what they're eating. Marty is starting to get lumpy and tumors and while the vet said they don't think it's cancer and he hasn't slowed down, I want him to be the healthiest version of himself (and of course Fender too but Marty is our senior now). It's mostly chicken and rice but as you can see I throw in a lot of good veggies too. Always green beans, peas, and carrots. Sometimes sweet potatoes and bell peppers. I basically put in whatever we have and they LOVE it! I make a pretty big batch and we've been getting all the ingredients from Aldi which keeps cost down a bit. Most of our fridge is now full of food for the dogs. They're very grateful though- and they also are a great clean-up crew! Don't worry- I wash it with soap after. You c...