Christmas 2009

Well here we go. I think that posting about once a month is all that I have time for. I keep meaning to post more often...it doesn't happen. Oh well.

So here is the post for December.

At the beginning of the month we went ice skating with little E's Cub Scouts. We had a blast! Big E decided to hang out with his friends instead so there are no pictures of him here, but little E and J had a great time.





Dad even got in on the act.




A couple of weeks later we went to see Santa. Little E and J were so excited! They asked him for the same things they wrote to him about earlier in the month. Little E wanted "Hulk Hands" and J wanted a "Hannah Montana" plate. Why she wanted a plate I'm not sure, but she was very specific about it.

Big E wanted the usual 14 year old boy things, T.V., DVD player, cell phone, Xbox 360, etc...




In the midst of all things Christmas my best friend Kim had her "29th" birthday. We all went over to her house and celebrated. This time was different though because there were no kids. It was kind of nice, but a little odd that we didn't have to break up any arguments, see what the kids were up to, you know the normal stuff with kids. Because of it we got a little crazy.







On the morning of Christmas Eve the kids decorated 120 sugar cookies. the pile went from looking like this.


(adorable child included)

To looking like this.



We then got dressed and went to my parents house for my dad's birthday/Christmas. my dad has a Christmas Eve birthday. So we always have his birthday before we have Christmas. We all gathered around and watched him open his presents.



We then had the big Christmas dinner. I snapped a picture of the table before everyone sat down to eat.




And another one after we were seated.



We then all went into the living room to open the presents. There was my sister Bridget and her family.



My sister Holly and her family.



My brother Pat and his family.



Uncle Juan holding holding our niece Ellie.



And of course my family.




I can't forget the 2 people who created all of it, my parents.




I love this one of Keira trying to feed Ellie.




One last one of Kris and big E.




I will have another post in the next few days showing our Christmas at home.

New house update

I realized today that I haven't put up any before or after pictures of the new house. Keep in mind that it is still a work in progress, but things have changed dramatically.

Front of house before



Front of house now




Backyard before





Backyard now





As you can see, a lot of work has already been done. Who knew there was an actual yard under "the jungle"? Ben & Big E have done so much work. I am so proud of them both! I will post some pictures of the inside some other time.

Why?

Why do I have such a hard time keeping up on this blog? I always have every intention of updating every week and then the next week will come and I realize I haven't updated again. Oh well, such is my life.

A couple of weeks ago my sister went with my family and I to a wonderful store here in town. It is a nursery that goes all out for Christmas (as I think we all should). She brought her beautiful daughter (whom I think looks like Snow White).



I just love her!!!

Anyway this store is amazing. Every nook and cranny is decorated in a different theme. One is baby themed, one is dog themed, one is sugarplum themed, you get the idea. I took a few pictures, but they do not do this store justice. Enjoy!!

Halloween

I know this post is a little late, but as always things have been a little busy in our house. We had a wonderful time. Big E took little E & J around our new neighborhood and then we headed off to our friend's house for some trick or treating and a Halloween party after. Big decided to stay the night with one of his friends and hang out around our little town with all of his friends.

When we got to our friend's house there were a ton of kids. It was so nice to go with everyone. I had to make sure I got a shot of all of the kids before we headed out.




This little guy didn't want to stand with everyone else.

After hitting up the whole neighborhood we headed back and decided to party down.

Football, football & more football

Big E has been playing football for his school this year. He has been amazing! We just moved to this town and no one knows us. Today was his last game and people who we have never met are screaming out his mane in congratulations. I am so unbelievably proud of him. On this his last game he blocked many plays and even made a touchdown! I would have taken more pictures, but I was busy cheering him on with the rest of the crowd. I hope you enjoy.

Costumes

We went out and got the kids their Halloween costumes. I love that Walmart has them so cheap. We do a lot of Walmart shopping for the price factor alone. I can give you a sneak peek at their costumes.

I'm Back!!!

This has been a very busy summer for us. Over the course of the summer we have begun to purchase our first home.



Keep in mind this is a before picture. I took this when we were first looking at the house. Lots of improvements have been made since. I just haven't had time to document the progress.

We have also had 3 birthdays. J turned 6 in July.




Big E also had a birthday in August. He turned 14!!! He is growing up too fast right before my eyes. He has joined the football team at school this year and is doing wonderfully. I don't know all of the football positions, but I do know he is always starting.





Little E has also had his 7th birthday in October. The time is going by so fast.





Well that is all for now. I will be back again more regularly. I promise.