{partners in crime}: December 2011

New Year's Resolutions

It's that time of year again... I'm starting to make my resolutions! I know it might be pointless, but it's my guilty pleasure :) I was looking back over last year's resolutions <---- (click here to view them) to figure out which ones I successfully completed and those that were an epic fail. Let's see...

Not take my husband for granted - I think I've definitely made an effort of this :)
Eat healthier - do this for the most part.
Lose few pounds - yes I have!!
Run a Mini Marathon - FAIL
SAVE, SAVE, SAVE - we have been focusing on paying off our debt, not necessarily saving though.

Now for my 2012 Resolutions!!!

#1 - Run a Mini Marathon... This is the number one thing I want to do this year. This has been on my to do for a LOOONNNGGG time. This is the year I'm gonna make it happen!

#2 - Pay off debt... lately we have really been focusing on getting all this debt we have paid off. My goal for this year is to pay off Dan's car at least! I know... it's easier said than done.

#3 - Focus on finishing up my Master's Program... I'm in the home stretch now with my Gerontology Program. I have slowly but surely been making my way through, one class at a time, while I work full time. I'm so close to finishing that I can feel that diploma in my hands :)

#4 - Walk Remington more... When Remington was a young pup he got walked probably twice a day at least 2 miles each time!! I don't know how we got away from doing this (life got busier I suppose), but I really would like to make this a priority in his life again! He is such a wonderful dog and deserves to have these strolls with us way more than he gets too.

#5 - Be more thankful... Lastly, I just want to be more thankful in general. Sometimes I feel like I take things in life for granted a little to much. I think its time to start looking at the bright side of things more than I do now.

Can you all seriously believe it is 2012!!! Goodness!!! Time goes by way too fast!

Remington's Ear Infection

While we were in P-town we discovered that Remington had a nasty ear infection.... BUMMER!

Disgusting huh?

After taking him to the vet we were told he had a over grown yeast infection in there! I didn't even know it was possible to get a yeast infection in a dog's ear. The vet told us that dogs that are groomed often sometimes get water in there which throws off the PH in the ear causing this. Anyways, after some ear drops, our little Remi Bear is much better and his ear doesn't look absolutely disgusting! ICK!

2011 Rhoton Recap

What better way to wrap up the year than to do a little review of the major life events that took place in 2011. I must say its been a amazingly hectic and blessed year for our family of three! Below is what I would say is the good, the bad, and the ugly events that we experienced this year... in no particular order!

Kendra's Cooking Challenge <---- click here to read full post

This year, I challenged myself to learn how to cook. I must say it was a successful event in my life. I made 22 delicious meals for my wonderful husband and myself. What I learned during this challenge is that I'm not nearly as bad of a cook as Dan made me out to be ;)

Dan Sworn In <----- click here to read full post

After being in the hiring process for almost 2 years, Dan was sworn in as a full time police officer at LPD! The transition has had its ups and downs, but for the most part we could not be happier. I cannot believe he has been working there for 10 months! WOW!

Hail Damage to House <------ click here to read full post

A spring storm brought golf ball size hail to the area in which we lived. This resulted in around $12,000 worth of hail damage. We had roof, siding, shutters, screens, gutters, etc. replaced on our house! We were very thankful for insurance!!!

5k & 10K Races <----- click here to read full posts

This year I ran my first 5K and 10K with my buddy Greg! This summer was the longest I have probably ever stuck with running and I was impressed that I actually made it up to running 6 miles straight! This was quite the accomplishment for me!

Anal Gland Removal <---- click here to read full post

After battling with Remington's dreaded anal glands for over two full years the vet suggested we have them removed so we did. The recovery was difficult and I cried many tears... but in the end Remington is much happier without them... and so are we :)

Celebrated 2 Year Anniversary <----- click here to read full post

Dan and I celebrated 2 years of marriage together! We feel so lucky to call each other our best friend. Here's to many more years to come!

And that's our recap for 2011! Hope you enjoyed looking back on all that has taken place in our lives! We're looking forward to starting fresh in 2012!!! Happy New Year!

Fowler Christmas

We had a total of three Christmas celebrations while in good old P-town. One with my Dad's side of the family, one with my Mom's side of the family, and one with just us and my parents. Sorry I didn't take any pictures of the first two Christmas... I didn't want to be the creepy family member in everyone's face clicking pictures. I did take pictures of our personal Christmas because my immediate family members already know that I'm creepy.

My parents think that they don't have to put too much effort into Christmas since I'm all grown up now. Hint the tiny tree :)

Dad opening up his awesome picture mouse pad!

Mom checking out her new sheets.

Dan's gifts!

Remington checking out his gifts!! Old clothes, sheets, tennis balls, and a kong! Best Christmas ever he said!

Did we mention how much we love our dog... it's not normal!

After all the Christmas festivities were over... there was a lot of time spent playing with gifts.

Relaxing...

And just enjoying time with each other!

Christmas Break!

After today I'm on Christmas Break folks!

I don't get to lounge on the beach like this lucky Santa...

But I do get 11 days of rest and relaxation! It doesn't get any better than that! I'm feeling ahead of the game as we start moving into the New Year. I got an A in my GERO class... I have my Phonathon Room completely cleaned and decorated (that is a big chore off my list)... and I feel pretty caught up work wise.

The only other thing I would like to accomplish before the New Year is to deep clean my house. I'm one of those people that likes to do a winter cleaning as well as a spring cleaning. We're talking purging junk out of the house, reorganizing closets and cabinets, and I would really like to move furniture out and sweep under them since I'm sure there is a massive amount of dog hair lurking under there. If I can get that done I'll be one happy camper :)

As for doing fun things over break... I'm looking forward to 6 days with my family and reading several good books! I never seem to get the luxury of reading books for fun so this will be a real treat :)

I can't wait!

Rhoton Christmas

Dan, Remington and I headed to Ohio for our Christmas with Dan's side of the family. As always we enjoyed our time with our niece and nephew as well as the rest of the family. It is nice to get caught up on everything that is going on with everyone.

There was lots of present opening :)

Elliott got a gamer chair... basically it has speakers in it and he can plug his Wii into it and it will be extra loud!!! Cool! Mallory got a set of pink lefty golf clubs. Her face is priceless in this pic! She loved them!

Pam and Bruce got a new bike rack from all the kids. I think they enjoyed it.

After opening gifts, we all had dinner and hung out with each other for a while.

Raelyn and Mallory coloring.

Mallory doing what she does best... being "Happy"!

Aunt Boo with baby Alex (the newest member of the Rhoton clan).

The three musketeers together again!

My best bud!

Our little family :)

As always, we enjoyed ourselves very much. But we were pretty tuckered out once we got back home as you can see by the below picture.

This big guy slept the whole drive home and was out like a light once he hit his bed :)

Bowling Party!!!

Elliott turned 6 years old over the weekend. Gosh... I seriously can't believe it. He seems like a little adult these days. I swear time goes so fast... it is shocking to see him so grown up.

Anyways, for his birthday he had a bowling party! How fun right?! There was a lot of Elliott's friends and family there. We had pizza and pop to eat and drink and then birthday cake! Great party Elliott, thanks for the invite! Below are some pics of the festivities.

Of course Aunt Boo was there... and she even brought her very own bowling shoes and bowling ball. She's a pro! ~~or so she says~~

Elliott showing off his bowling skills!

Aunt Boo and I

Boo taking her first bowl... this was a gutter ball... hehe!

Dan and I... and Boo :)

Me bowling...

Elliott having some pizza and opening presents.

Lizzy and I

Getting ready to blow out the candles!!! Sigh... so big!

Happy Birthday Elliott! Your Uncle Dan and Aunt Kay love to so much!

Christmas Candy : Peppermint Bark and Chocolate Covered Oreos

I made Christmas candy for our Christmas on the Rhoton side. The candy I made was peppermint bark and chocolate covered oreos. Hello... easiest Christmas candy EVER! No way could I mess this up! :)

Peppermint Bark (www.pbfingers.com)

Ingredients:

1 pound dark or semi-sweet chocolate
1 pound white chocolate
1 to 2 teaspoons peppermint extract (I used 1 tsp.)
1 teaspoon canola oil
4 to 5 regular-size candy canes, crushed

Line a baking sheet (with raised edges) with foil, and spray with non-stick spray.

Melt dark chocolate in microwave (30 second intervals on high, stirring in between).

Add 1/2 tsp. of canola oil and spread evenly in pan. Refrigerate until solid.

Melt white chocolate using the same method, and add 1/2 tsp. of oil, as well as the peppermint extract.

Spread white chocolate mixture over dark chocolate layer (it is best to let the white chocolate cool a bit, so it doesn’t melt the dark chocolate and swirl layers together).

Sprinkle crushed candy cane pieces on top, and refrigerate (or freeze) until solid.