Christmas 2009

Look what I spied! We tell the kids about the real man who was like santa we don't pretend. We have fun with Wil dressind up though.

Nathan got tangled up while helping decorate a local church with the scouts.

Molassass snow candy like Laura Ingalls had. We didn't like it. We're spoiled these days!

It was very different this year in many ways. There were enjoyable times and moments that didn't pass quickly enough. Our family Christmas party was cancelled due to a snow storm, Jodee had eye surgury and was still recovering, and we missed dad as this was the first Christmas without him. It was nice though with food and gifts unexpected. The kids were all good and happy. My joy comes from the real reason for Christmas, JESUS and just knowing that he is all that really matters.

We managed to stay out of stores and the commercial craziness pretty well. I can't complain about the business, although to know that so many people rush and over do this holiday, it left me feeling like I was missing something. However, the cookies were made and the presents wrapped and the gatherings were had. The decorations were lovely and well, it was a nice Christmas. I am sooooo ready to move on. Spring is my favorite time of year and I look forward to it as I write my resolutions. This year I shall post them...it could possibly help me keep them knowing others can keep me accountable. Last year I wanted to start to learn to play the guitar..this year I shall as I got one for Christmas.......

I just realized!

It has been 1 year since I started this blog. Thank you Wendi for getting me going! It is a great photo album of the year for my family to share! I must say i am proud of myself for sticking with it and i hope to spend maybe just a little more time on it in the next year! : )

Elianna's first Christmas!

She's already pulled the tree down and survived! Elianna is so curious and taking the whole world in. Today she hung out while her older siblings helped wrap gifts as a fundraiser in the mall for 4H, yesterday she slept nearby while we all went iceskating. We had a blast! Morgan was awesome! He was a madman on the ice! If he fell he got right up! It was a little scary!

Nathan wa slow and steady! He did really well! I think that is Kailey down behind him!

They had these cool PVC pipe walkers that Ben and Kailey could learn with. They didn't need me! I was ableto have my hands free!

I was not expecting even Ben to be so independent on the ice! Best thing was .......this was also a fundraiser for 4H and so it was nearly free!

We didn't wrap a ton of presents but enough to learn. It was fun. I think I can get Nathan to help me do some wrapping if he can keep some secrets!

Elianna is 6 months old

She's wearing a vintage dress that Kailey once wore.

Her schedule has drastically changed in the past few weeks. Milk is just not cutting it and she's not sleeping through the night like she has her whole little life! I've lost some sleep and some hair but things are starting to look up again! it looks like were beginning to figure out her big girl schedule. She tends to like fruit best like most babies. Rice was too harsh for her system so we had to go with oatmeal. She is still not waking up as happy as she used too but we're getting there. She is a very happy baby and still can sit quietly through church : )