Apple Pie in a Bottle

I had several people ask me how to make this at the extended Meinhart Family Christmas. So here is the recipe.

Apple Pie In a Bottle

1 Gallon Apple Cider
1/2 Gallon Apple Juice
6 Cups of Sugar (we only used 4-5 cups)
6 Cinnamon Sticks
Simmer this for 1 hour - Do Not Boil
Cool
Remove Cinnamon Sticks and add 1/5 Everclear.
Store in cool dry spot 6 weeks or longer. ( we drank immediately. It's really good warm!)

Congratulations go out to.....

.....My cousin Mark Meinhart who gave his girlfriend, Sarah, a diamond last night. Congratulations and welcome to the family!

Kayla's Christmas Program

Kayla had her pre-k Christmas program on December 19th. Here are a few pictures.

I had a video but I can't get it to upload.

We're Done!

Our Christmas party's started last Sunday, the 21st. We went to my aunt Darlene's in T-Town for my mom's side of the family (Pruemer's). Monday we had the day off and then started again on Tuesday evening with Scott's Christmas Party. Newton Implement's party started around 5:30 with a meal. The families are all invited. The kids have a blast. The older kids usually play with a football and the younger ones are playing on the creeper seats! The drive home was a little slippery. When we finally got home I heard a water leak. I called Scott (he was still at the party) But never fail he fixed it. On Christmas Eve we went to Scott's mom and dad's for a meal around 2:00 and then presents. When we got home later around 6:30-7:00 we found that Santa had been their. And the craziness began! Kayla has slept in her Hannah Montana sleeping bag on the couch for the past 2 nights. And Kyle loves is shoot guns! Kyle also got a new wagon to hook up to his peddle tractor.

This is all the Grandkids on the Kocher side, including Dusty's girlfriend, Ashley.

Kayla's Hannah Montana sleeping bag.

Kyle opening a present from Santa

Christmas morning we got up and got ready for church. We went to 10:00 mass at Island Grove. After mass we went to my Mom & Dads for dinner and more presents. Friday I had to work in Dieterich in the morning. Then Friday night we went to Island Grove Parish Hall for the Extended Meinhart family gathering. So now we are done with all the parties and hopefully things can get back to normal. And I can start my diet and running program again!





This is Kyle's new wagon from Santa. Scott bought this tractor for his nephews when they were little and they are 18 and 15 now. He striped it down and painted it, and added more tires. They are heading to the farm today to see how it works.

This is our family picture at my mom and Dads after Christmas Mass.

This lively bunch is the Meinhart Grandkids.

And lastly, these pictures are from the extended Meinhart Christmas party. The kids got to play with their cousins that we don't get to see as often as we would like.

Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas & a wonderful new year! Stay Safe and enjoy the many blessing we all have. We are thinking of all the people that are not with the ones they love, most of all, the Riedle family. I am counting all of my many blessings today and every day from here on out.

Face Lift!

I thought my blog needed some holiday spirit. Much better!

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas !

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Semester is over!

I took my last final today. I new when I walked out that it was my worst test grade. But I ended up with an 80 (B) on the test and an A in the class. I new I just had to pull a C on the test to keep my A in the class.....So I sorta blew it off a little. I only studied what I knew I had to know...like the SA questions. NO MORE 8:00 CLASS! Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday. Merry Christmas!

Classes...

This is the last week of classes. Thank God! I have my last final on Wednesday on next week. and then I'm done until May.....I find out weather or not I get into the Rad program in March. I'm ready for a break & the kids are too!

Christmas Mice....

Last night while I was working on a Christmas present for my mom, I saw something move out of the corner of my eye... I looked... nothing. Then I saw it again.... yip a mouse. Now, I'm not scared of mice, but I don't want them in my house. So, I watched it for a while. It was a brave little mouse, I was only about4 ft away from it. It found some crumbs on the floor to eat. Then another on came out and was searching and finding food! I went into the kids room to get Scott and told him was had some visitors in the kitchen...he said "we haven't had any visitors in a long time" I said "I know, I think we need to put some rat dope under the trailer." So, Scott and I went back into the kitchen and we watched the little mouse for a while and then Scott got some traps out. We set the traps and waited..... The little shit went everywhere EXCEPT the trap. I was pissed. It was all fun and games in the beginning... now I meant business. I told Scott, We would have better luck with a bb gun! He told me to go get it. He loaded it up and snuck up on it and.......... put a bb in his ass. It was so exciting. Then we put some flour on the other two traps and I shut off the lights and walked down the hallway and .........there it was the ......SNAP... I got the other mouse. I was so excited.

I came home from work today and no mice in the traps. Hopefully there are no more in the house. Below are some pictures of the event. I had to crop the one of Scott, He didn't want everyone to see him in his undies! No Christmas mice this year!!!!

This was just after Scott shot it, the mouse is at the corner of the cabinet towards the blinds.

Number 2!

Santa Train

Today we went to Newton to see Santa on the Santa Train. It was only 22 degrees outside, so we thought it would be a good day to go;) The kids didn't really like any of the characters that was there welcoming us, but they did shake a few of their hands. Kayla sat on the big mans lap, but not Kyle. He did tell Santa that he wanted a new red combine!

This picture was taken before we left to go see Santa, don't they look like they are on the good list?

Tis the Season

We have had a not so nice couple of weeks. Kayla came home from school Thursday the 20th with the flu. Kyle then came down with it too. Then on Wednesday night, while we were are my mom and dads for Thanksgiving, I started getting sick. So we, as a family, stayed home on Thanksgiving. My husband......thought we needed to put the Christmas tree up.........so it's up, I was still not feeling well, so there are no pictures of me. I was not very happy about putting up the tree that day. I like to wait until thanksgiving is over, normally (like the day after). But now it is up along with everything else. My husband did cut me a board to fit on top of the entertainment center. I have been wanting to put my christmas houses up there for many years and finally decided to do it. Scott cut the board and I wrapped it in quilt batting so that it looks like snow. I love it, and the kids can't get at it. I also put up the nativity, I let Kayla and Kyle put up the manger and baby Jesus. They thought they were special! I also have most of my Christmas shopping done. I have a few people to buy for, but the majority is done. May the holiday spirit find you!

Santa Letters

I have a little project that I have been working on...... Letter's from Santa! I typed up some letters that "Santa" wrote to the kids and I am going to mail them to the North Pole so that they can post mark them, North Pole, and they can send them back to the kids. If you want more info on this visit http://www.usps.com/ and look for North pole christmas cancellation. Here is a sample of one. I designed these in Microsoft Publisher, it was a lot of fun. I am so excited!

My Good Friend Kayla,

Did you know December 24th is my favorite night of the year? I line up the reindeer and off we go after I say “up, up and away” and pull on the reins. We stop at so many houses and leave presents for kids all over the worlds to open on Christmas morning.

This year I can’t wait to come to your house in Newton. I was so excited when I found out that you have done really well in school and have been Linda’s big helper. It’s no wonder everyone is so proud of you!

You know, I just told Mrs. Claus the other day that you’ve been such a good girl and deserve something special for Christmas. She said that you want Barbie Dolls and doll clothes for your baby-doll Katie. If you are really good for the next couple weeks I will also bring some surprises for you. I’m going to do the best I can to make this Christmas your best one ever!

Hugs and love,

Santa Claus

PS: In all of this fun don’t forget we are celebrating the greatest gift of all: the birth of Jesus. God’s gift to the world.

Children's Place Jeans

Sorry..... My cousin contacted me today and wants these jeans for her daughter!

Kayla has been growing so much that I had to get her all new jeans a month ago. I just bought her some children's Place jeans at the beginning of the summer. They are still in excellent condition. So I have 3 pairs of Children's Place Jeans that are size 4T and a Children's Place jean skirt size 4T. If you or if you know of anyone that would be interested in them I would like to get them off my hands. I have a price of $2 on each. I would appreciate it if you would contact me by my email kocher4@psbnewton.com. There will be no Shipping. Thanks

NCHS Pops Concert was AMAZING!

The NCHS Chorus

Mallory Bolander and a Rauch boy(an old song, can't remember). He also did a country solo. He had on a black shirt and a black coyboy hat. Very cute!

Kayla and Mallory Bolander (her swimming teacher)

Katie Probst (I babysat for her when she was a baby) She is HILARIOUS

Kayla sitting in her seat

I did Jamie Mahaffey's hair for the concert. We decided that she looks like Barbie!

Jamie sang a duet with a Frichtl girl..... Does She Love You

A song by Taylor Swift....Kayla's favorite singer

She also sang another song, but I can't remember.

The kids did a GREAT job. We really enjoyed it. It was funny and they are ALL so talented. They also did "commercials" for us. Can't wait for the musical in April 16-19.

I've Been Tagged!

I have been tagged by DeAnn at Life is Good...

So here are the rules...

1. Post the rules on your blog
2. Write 6 random things about yourself
3. Tag 6 people at the end of your blog (or however many you want)
4. If you are tagged, just do it, and pass the tag along!

Sorry I'm a little behind, I had to think about this post for a while!

1. I love sports.... Volleyball, basketball, softball and my biggest love is Newton Eagle Football.

2. I too had an illegal consumption at the age of 18. I was on a date with Scott. I told my dad I was going to Bierman's cabin... I had no intention of staying there. We had plans to go to Doug Weddell's party. While we were leaving the party the cops were on there way, we met them. We brought someone back to town and later on we went back to get my car. The cops were still there and the pulled us over. I got to ride to the station with the police officer. I blew a .07. The tickets got dropped later because Hoffeditz was up for re-election. He lost..... they brought the tickets back up...... they dropped them again after a court appearance. Thanks Peg for the moral support.

3. I have a tattoo on my left hip.... it's a sunflower. It was a college thing!

4. I absolutely HATE to wait on someone (usually my husband).

5. I used to be a neat freak, then the kids came along. Now I'm not a freak, but it drives me crazy to have a messy house with toys everywhere.

6. When Scott and I were dating and first married, I had NO patience. I still don't have the best patience as the kids will tell you, but I have came a long way.

I tag... Martha, Mary, Lea, Peggy, Cheryl & Sara B.

Way to go Josie!

Today, my mom, Kayla & I went to Mattoon to see my niece Josie Meinhart compete at her Gymnastics meet. She did AWESOME! She placed 1st on vault, 2nd on uneven bars, 1st on beam, & 3rd on floor. She got a trophy and placed 1st All Around!

Way to go Josie, we are so proud of you!

I wish I had a picture of Josie from today, she had her best ever meet today!
Love you bunches, Josie!

Happy Anniversary!

Today is Steve & Dawn Meinhart's anniversary. Hope you have a great day! Love you guys!

Trick or Treating 2008

My kids had a great time Trick or Treating this year. We only went to 7 houses on Thursday night, just around our neighborhood. Our buckets were full....overflowing actually. We had to start using Kyles football helmet. Friday Kayla's pre-K class had a Halloween parade, they went through some of the classrooms in the high school and she got another bag of candy. Today, we went to my grandma Pruemers (their Great-Grandma) and my mom and dads. I didn't feel like fighting them to put their costumes on so we just went in out street clothes and said "trick or treat". They didn't care. I think we are good until next Halloween....What do you think! Hopefully mom can stay out of it!

If you can't tell my the pictures, Kayla is an Illini Cheerleader and Kyle is an Illini football player! GO ILLINI!!! (Christmas presents from 2007)

This is my first video, hope it turns out.

Fall Cleaning

This past Sunday I sat in my recliner and studied about muscle tissue...real exciting! But I kept looking around at my living room and kitchen thinking ... "man I need to clean". I really couldn't concentrate on my A & P because of how dirty my house was. So, Monday I went to school and took my test (that I was not feeling so good about). On my way home, I thought, I wonder what mom's doing? So I call mom and asked her "what are you doing?" She said "I'm cleaning my cabinets, why?" I said "Do you want to come over and help me clean mine?" She said "sure!" I got my garage, living room, kitchen & the kids room all clean. I mean, walls washed, windows washed! Deep Cleaning. I feel sooooo good! The minute I walk into my house I can feel it!

Thank you, Mom. You are the best! I owe you.

I have friends that have lost their mothers and I feel so sad for them. I truly don't know what I would do with out my mom. I don't take her for granted anymore (except for fall cleaning). Mom even said "We haven't spent any time together in a long time" Whenever I need her she is there and I think she could say the same about me!

New Flat Wallet

I bought me a new brown flat wallet today from Sarah sellz! Check her out at www.sarahsellz.blogspot.com . I love it! Thanks Sarah, for going out of your way for us girls at Shear Madness! We love our new stuff.

New "used" laptop

A month ago, my dad met a guy who works on and sells used laptops. He decided he need one so that he could sit in his recliner and search the net =) So we got him hooked up with one. One day I needed to get some homework done at work so I borrowed his laptop.....well that led to this.....

I am now the new owner of a "used" Dell Latitude laptop! Despite a minor problem I think it will work out nicely. (It only had a CD drive, but my Microsoft Ultimate program is on a DVD. He is shipping me a DVD drive as I am posting this) If not for homework, definitely to check my blogs ;) He He He

Our trip to Pumpkin Works

A couple of weeks ago, my good friend Beth & I and our children (Kayla, Kyle, Seth & Wade, poor Wade didn't make it in any of the pictures) went to Paris to visit Pumpkin Works. The kids had a blast! And we thought they would sleep on the way home......are we stupid? =) Here are some of the pictures. (if any of you noticed the time of this post, I know, I should be sleeping but my damn allergies are keeping me up....again!)

I also got a wild hair that weekend to bake a pumpkin pie, It was GOOD. We also made Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies, our favorite!

Happy Anniversary!

Well, today is our 7th Wedding Anniversary. I can't believe it's been7 years already! I must say It has been 7 wonderful years. Happy Anniversary Scott! I Love You!

Okay, so we had a pretty good weekend. Friday night Kayla and I went to Wal-mart...grocery shopping, while Scott and Kyle went to the field to shell corn. Saturday I invited my niece Brooke and nephew Marc over to play. Which turned out to be a great idea..... I got my house cleaned, laundry done, crock pot pizza made for the weekend meal & I got the yard mowed! The kids played really well and had a great time. On Sunday, Kayla and I went to the Covered Bridge Festival with Clara, Amy, Kaiden, Nancy, Natasha & Josie while Scott & Kyle hauled beans with the 2-ton. Kyle had a BLAST. Scott said he did really well on the 1 1/2 wait in line at Ste. Marie!! =)

The highlights of the trip was:

1. The Hannah Montana Wallet for $3

2. The Fighting Illini Hoodie

On the way back we stopped in Terre Haute and did some shopping there too. We got Kyle some new jeans from Old Navy and Kayla a new winter coat (50% off) at Sears.

As for school this week, I have my 2nd muscle test on Thursday. I got an A on my first muscle test and I got an A on my midterm exam in my medical Term online class last week! Next weekend will be a little different...I have my chapter 7 test in Anatomy on Monday so I will try to study most of the weekend! That's all for now!

Hope Everyone has a good week!

Here's the exciting post I promised

These are a few pictures that I took a few weeks ago. I sent them to walmart and had a few of these printed off. We hope everyone is enjoying this great weather!

Whay to go Eagles!

Awesome Win Eagles!


What an exciting football game last night. We are so proud to be Eagle fans! I wish I had taken my camera. Scott and Kyle attended their first football game of the season last night. We sit two rows from the top and Kayla feel asleep while I was holding her. So I layed her down on Kimberlin Wallace's Letterwomen's jacket on the top row and she slept through the most exciting part of the game....overtime. We were late, so we didn't get to see the seniors introduced. Just want to give a shout out to # 75 Dusty Lindemann, WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU! We are so happy you give it your all and stuck it out! YOU ROCK!

I got an A on my last bone test. Now we have started the muscles. ugh. I have a midterm exam on Wednesday in my Medical Terminology online class and the muscle test 1 on Thursday. It's going to be a busy week of studying......and weekend...... I have to get an early start. Hope everyone has a good week!

We are at a stand still

Kyle is kinda at a stand-still with his potty training.....He is still having one or two accidents a day. The thing is, He tells me at home pretty much most of the time, but he won't tell Linda or anyone else. So, I guess we just have to wait for him to decide. We bought him a new 1/16 th scale CASE IH toy tractor from Newton Implement and told him he could have it if he didn't have any accidents......Well, last night I told him if he was going to pee and poop in his underwear I was going to have dad take the tractor back to Jerry (owner). So, Kyle got on his cell phone and "called" Jerry and he said this " Hi Jerry, My daddy is going to bring the tractor back, cause I not pee in the potty, bye" Too funny! On a good note, there has not been any more biting!

I took my first bone test last Thursday and I got an disappointing B. And I had the Unit 3 test on Monday and got another disappointing B. But I am still getting an A in my class. I am now studying for my second bone test, which is on Thursday. Then we are on to the muscles.

Well, that's it for now. Hopefully I will have a exciting post later in the week.....wait and see!!!

Great weekend

Just thought I would give an update. Kyle is not biting......as much.....other than his sister anyway! Our potty training is going OK. He is still having a couple accidents a day, All in all that's not bad. Harvest has officially started this past weekend. So we will not be seeing Scott as much. I usually take the kids out to the field or farm in the evenings to see him and to get a ride in the combine or the 2-ton. Kayla and I went to Lanna McClures wedding this past Saturday. It was a beautiful day. She got married out at CIPS Lake. What great weather for an outside wedding. Things are really slow at work during the months of September and October, which is a good thing. I have a bone test on Thursday this week, so that gives me lots of time to study. I don't know if any of you watch Army Wives on Lifetime on Sunday evenings, It is my favorite (only) show I watch. I was having trouble staying awake last night to watch it. And when it finally came on at 9:00.....it was a rerun=( Good thing i guess... I got to bed early. Next weekend is Homecoming at Newton, so I have to work that afternoon in Newton. Saturday we have a big wedding party coming in at The Main Cut. I think this is the last wedding for the year so that means no more Saturday work days! yeah, yeah!
OH, Kayla had the pleasure of having Mrs. Meinhart for a substitute teacher on Friday last week(at the high school pre-k). Mrs. Meinhart is my sister-in-law. Kayla was so excited. She told everyone! So a big shout out to Mrs. Meinhart! Kayla said you were a GREAT TEACHER! Well, that's all for now. Hope everyone has a great week! Say a prayer for me and my bone test!

Kyle's a big boy

Just want to say that we are trying to potty train Kyle. We are doing fairly decent, better than 50% or even 75%. He still has his days, but if he starts being a big boy, he has a new CASE IH tractor waiting for him. Say a few prayers that all goes well......I think I may need them =)

Pay Backs Suck!

So, since about spring, we have been having trouble with Kyle biting at the babysitters. He likes the taste of Wade Zumbahlen. We told Kyle that if he bit Wade again he would not get to go to the farm with dad to plant (spring time). Well, it worked, or we thought it did. We finally thought we had that "phase" over with. Then along came a new kid, Jackson. On Wednesday of last week (i think it was Wednesday), Kyle bit Jackson right above the eye. Jackson's mom was not happy.... I was NOT happy...... Kyle was not happy either when I put dish soap in his mouth. We gave him a good talking too and sent him back to Linda's on Thursday. When I picked him up that afternoon, Linda said "he tried to bite Kayla 3 times today". Now, the way I figure...What did Kayla do first? But, non the less, he can not bite anyone, not even Kayla. So more talking and back to Linda's on Friday. Friday afternoon I went to pick up Kyle at Linda's again and I asked Kyle if he was good today.....Kyle said " Wade bite me" I said "What?" Kyle said "Wade bite me" I looked at Linda and she was shaking her head up and down....yes. FINALLY... HE GOT A TASTE OF HIS OWN MEDICINE. I have been waiting for this for months. Now, some of you may ask....Why didn't you bite him? I did...He laughed at me.....I really did bite him, HARD. Well, Wade got him good. He even drew blood. Linda said Kyle tried to bite Wade first and Wade got away and then Wade went after Kyle. Saturday the kids were playing in the living room and Kayla pissed him off and he went after her to bite.....I grabbed his arm and asked him if he was going to bite Kayla and he said "yes" so I bit him on the arm. He cried. I didn't even feel sorry for him. I also told him that if he even tried to bite anyone that I would bite him when he got home. So, all weekend we discussed how Wade bit him and how bad it hurt. Today, I put Kyle in the truck to go to Linda's and said "Bye" to the kids and said "Kyle remember...no biting....if you bite, I bite. They had a good day at Linda's today! No biting. Please put in a prayer for us the rest of this week =;) I hope you enjoy the pictures ;)