Happy New Year...

Well another year has passed us by and what a year it has been! It's amazing all the stuff our family has gone through in 2009. Stuff you never dream you would see your family go through, but did. All I can say is God has been so merciful and so faithful to us. To be honest I'm so glad this year is over and the new year has started. We all need a fresh new start. I won't make any New Year's resolutions because I never keep them. Instead I will simply resolve to do the best I can by eating healthier, exercising more, avoid procrastinating, spending less time on the internet and more time with the kids, visit my parents more often (how hard is that, they're only 5 minutes away!)

I'd like to tell my family and friends who follow my blog that I love them dearly and hope and pray that the new year is full of wonderful blessings and much joy, happiness and good health.

Trying out my new lens

Feliz Navidad!!!!!

No matter how many times we've done this I never get tired of watching the kids faces and their reactions as they open their presents. I was pleasantly surprised myself when I opened my gift from Ernie. A beautiful EF-S55-250mm lens for my 50D Canon. He took my picture but it was a close-up and I don't do well with close-ups and no make-up on. But suffice it to say I was VERY happy!!!

Christmas Eve with my parents

 

Decorating a Gingerbread House with Nikki

I didn't want to risk building a gingerbread house out of graham crackers. It'd fall apart too easily and that would have surely send my drama queen over the edge. So instead I bought a pre-made house from Wal-Mart for only $10. All you have to do is add the frosting and decorate it anyway you want. This was tons of fun.

 

First Gingerbread House

Lindsey and Nikki were invited to a gingerbread party. Unfortunately Nikki's house fell apart when she got home and was inconsolable. It was the second time this happened. The week before she made a small gingerbread house at school but it too fell apart just as I was picking her up. She cried the whole way home. She was more upset at the fact that I didn't get to see the finished product than the fact that it fell apart. I promised her we'd build one together at home.

The pictures below are of Lindey's first gingerbread house. She was quite proud of herself and took pictures from every angle as you can see.

Nikki's Christmas Program

She was so uncooperative and refused to stand with her friends for a picture

Can you find Nikki?