Malachi's book

So excited The Earth's Elements is just days away from being on the Market. Malachi has written a 263 page adventure novel. It is full of excitement, adventure and action. It took him only four months of writing and is incredible for an author his age. You have to check it out!! We were so excited to get together with two brilliant artists to create the cover. Here is a sneak peak of what the book will look like.






Be sure to check out his blog at jasonmcclainseries.blogspot.com Take a poll, read the book summary, and enjoy a snip of the chapters. E-mail him if you would like to order a copy. Retail price only $15.99 malachimakely@yahoo.com

Makely Garden Part 1

We love the spring. Not only is it baseball season but it is time to grow our garden. A few weeks ago in Sacrament meeting at church I was reminded of the timely counsel of President Kimball he repeatedly emphasised to grow our own gardens. "Get together with others and seek permission to use a vacant lot for a garden, or rent a plot of ground and grow your gardens."

So we set out to grow our garden again. Each family member will be given a row to till, plant and sow.





After working the soil we took a trip to Home Depot to pick out our plants. Each person will be incharge of growing two types of plants here is what we chose.

Faith- Sunflowers and Cucumbers

Malachi- Jalapeno Peppers and Artichokes

Hope- Carrots and Cucumbers

Ephraim- Sunflowers and Carrots

Gideon- Carrots and Stripey Tomatoes

Samuel- Onions and Chives

Mom- Cherry Tomatoes

Dad- Big Beef Tomatoes

Some of these veggies we have never grown before. I guess we'll see if they work.

Along with the garden we are also growing 4 kinds of grapes, Nectarines, Apricots, Plums, Apples, and Lemons.

We are excited about our garden and hope the birds stay away!!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Make a Smilebox invite

Holiday Re-cap

I thought I was totally prepared for the holidays. Isn't it funny how they still seemed to catch one by surprise? Here is a re-cap of what took place here at the Makely's.

We had a nice Thanksgiving with the Makely family. We were happy to see some of the cousins from out of town. I was happy to have my annual crafty gift done in time to pass out at dinner. I made a fun Christmas Count down. For the 12 days of Christmas our family turned over one square each day and did what the calendar said to do. Some of the things that we had to do were: Share a Christmas movie, drink hot cocoa with marshmallows, give to the homeless, and so forth. I think doing the count down helped us focus on the real spirit of the holidays.

All my shopping was finished on Black Friday. Christmas cards were printed and ready to go by the 1st. Thanks to my mom helping me get them printed. I think next year I will skip the whole "homemade" look and go with the store bought cards everyone else does! "Homemade" somehow always turns out to be a little more than what I bargain for!

It just isn't the holidays with out the Annual Winter concert. We enjoyed Malachi's Christmas concert on his clarinet. I am amazed at how well he is playing already.

Seven Christmas Parties, One really big successful Bishop's Open House, Christmas Eve pageant and we finally made it to Christmas!

Faith had a very Juicy Christmas, Malachi had everything Harry. Hope really wanted a violin and Santa came through. We are excited to see her talent blossom. Ephraim and Gideon have new RC cars that make walking in our house a little tricky. Samuel was happy playing with what ever was left on the ground. He was awfully proud of himself when he learned to open chocolates that had been emptied from sibling stockings. Our family was thrilled when Santa left a new Wii for us under the tree. We have really enjoyed playing games together.

Christmas was all we had ever dreamed. Everyone got what they wished for and a whole lot more. Mom and Dad can't wait till all the batteries die and our home becomes quiet again!

Basketball Training

So, our boy has finally decided to walk. We contribute his success to the........BASKETBALL!! I know our sporty friends will be thrilled! He spots a ball and picks it up, walks one to three steps and throws it. Occasonally he dribbles it a few times before the toss! It is cute to see him try to walk with such a large ball!