Newest Addition to the White Family

Meet Sophie...She is a seven week old pug. This is Jason's Christmas Present to Jen...

Sophie is doing great so far...she loves to play with her big brother Hershey, however Hershey isn't into playing with her.

The kids love her...took Joey some getting used to after she figured that puppy wasn't going to eat her...

Jason even secretly likes her...

Merry Christmas and Welcome Home Sophie!

Deer Camp '08

Jason's annual time at deer camp came and went. He left Saturday, the 29th and came home on Wednesday the 3rd. All he saw were those little black spots (says they were Elk). No luck for the second year in a row in St. Mary's, PA.

So Ryan put him to work in the new cabin and here is what he accomplished...

This would be the bathroom door...thank heavens for one of those at deer camp...

Now Jen knows that he has the ability to complete home improvement projects...she has a list going...

Better luck next year boys!

White/Johnson Thanksgiving Spectacular

It was quite a risk when the White Family and the Johnson Family decided to join and spend Thanksgiving together. Little did the Johnsons know what they were getting themselves into (us Whites eat Hog Maw aka pig stomach)...considering Hil's a vegetarian and all...

Derek was quite excited to try the "Hog Wash." Jen was quite excited to try Hil's Tofurkey...

Jen took pictures to document the process...just in case the Johnson's want to give it a shot.

Here are the Hog Maws (pig stomachs), which can only be purchased at Karns.

And these would be our Hog Maws taking a salt water bath....pretty, they are not!

As they soak...the filling is prepared...

Sausage, smoked sausage and 'taters...looks good, doesn't it? Then...

All that yummy sausage and potatoes is stuffed into the stomach...

And here, Jason carefully sews up the stomachs in an effort to maintain all that yumminess inside!

Derek was impressed by Jason's skills with the needle!

Here they are! Stuffed and ready for cooking!

Look great, don't they?

And....HERE is the finished product! TO DIE FOR!! MMM...MMM! (Wasn't exactly Hil's thought though...She wasn't quite as excited as the rest of us!

Thought she was going to yack...it contaminated her vegetarian home...Sorry Hil, but the rest of your family are carnivores...suck it up!

But then...she had a change of heart...

And she wanted a taste...

Uh no...she didn't!

Then there was the Tofurkey...Looked interesting...

Jason and Jen promised they would try it...and they did...More Hog Maw PLEASE!!!

Then came the sweets!! Hil's pie rocked!! And Jen attempted pumpkin roll which actually turned out pretty good. It looked too good for Jen to have baked it!

It was a great Holiday with great people! We may even make it a tradition...Maybe next year Hil will make the stomachs...

The White Family thanks the Johnson Family for a GREAT Holiday!

Bobcat Badge

Tonight I had the honor of pinning Jake with his Bobcat Badge...yes it is upside down...he needs to perform an "unprompted act of goodwill" before it can be flipped and permanently sewn on. The paint on his face signifies becoming part of the pack.

Halloween Fun

Halloween is a fun time for the kids, and well yeah for mommy too this year...Jacob dressed up as a Jedi, Becca was some sort of freaky ghost and Joey was a kangaroo.

Pumpkin carving is always fun, but don't wait until two days before Halloween or this is what you will get...

So...we had to paint...no carving those!

4th Annual Drive Sober 2 Miler

I first learned of Hollywood Olson from Joey's pre-school teacher who happens to be this amazing young boy's mother. Hollywood was involved in an alcohol related accident involving himself, his biological father and his 13 year old half brother when Hollywood was five years old. Hollywood's biological father was too drunk to drive so he made the 13 year old drive the car...this decision resulted in an accident in which Hollywood was injured, he lost teeth and has scars from the accident. Hollywood is a very lucky young boy, and has used his experience as a tool to teach others the importance of NOT drinking and getting behind the wheel.

Saturday, November 1st is the 4th Annual Drive Sober 2 Miler, and as of right now I am planning to participate...I am late to register, but I am hoping since I know mom, she might let me in!

Please watch the youtube video...I had goosebumps listening to this young man speak!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0ZDngx5yQk&feature=channel

Meet My Tiger

Jacob has been waiting for YEARS to join scouts, and FINALLY my big first grader was able to join...he has three others in his den.

This past Tuesday, we had his first Pack meeting where he received his first award...he received his first belt loop for "Marbles."

Check out the patches on his left shoulder...it only took me two and a half hours to sew those on...two and a half hours and a few sore, bloody fingers later, he was ready to go...who knew it would be so hard to sew on three little patches? Where's mom when ya need her?

Emotional Day in the White House

This morning we woke up to bloody vomit all over our bedroom. Hershey, our faithful companion is ill. Jen called the vet fearing the worst and trying to brainstorm ways in which we could tell Jacob (dog's best friend).

I took Hershey to the vet and was told that Hershey 1) is older than we had thought, most likely between 10-12 years old, 2) he has severe cataracts, 3) is deaf and 4) has a stomach ulcer, which is what was causing the bleeding.

This evening at dinner Jason and Jen discussed what the vet had said with the kids. We also discussed the "circle of life," which progressed into the fact that since Hershey is older than we originally thought that he may not have many years left with us. Jacob dropped his food onto his plate and began to sob uncontrollably. Mommy then tried consoling him without becoming emotional herself, but when he looked up and said "Mommy, I love him, I don't want him to die," mommy teared up too.

This is NOT going to be easy...

4th Annual New Cumberland Turkey Trot 5k

Ok people, you may think to yourself that I am completely insane, completely out of my mind, but yes Becca and I have in fact registered for the Vickie's Angel Walk 4th Annual New Cumberland Turkey Trot 5k.

I started running several weeks ago and feel great...I then recruited Becca to run along with me, and so far so good...she is having a blast. We have gone out on four runs together so far and we are very excited as the race nears. First prize is a turkey, second prize is a homemade pie and third prize is various baked goods. Becca plans on blowing first place so she can get the pie...I on the other hand just hope to finish.

Check out our running status:

http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/?l=runners,runs,1883041335

2008-2009 School Year

We are well into the new school year. Becca is in fourth grade, Jacob is in first grade and Joey just recently started "pre-school" at The Goddard School. The year is off to a great start for all three. Time really does fly, and sometimes I have to take time out to really enjoy them as they are growing up SO fast.

New to Blogging

Hello all! I am new to blogging due to my buds Hilary and Derek Johnson! They seem to be my influences in many things...love them dearly! They are the some of the greatest friends anyone could ask for.

Be on the lookout for new posts and pictures!