Ice Skating

Christmas break is almost over.  I'm sad about that.  I love having my kids at home.  I love not having homework.  I love doing festive things.   I haven't been feeling well.   It's been a while since I have felt well, so I don't do a lot of active things with the kids these days.  I was however able to go watch the kids ice skate today.  I'm so glad they all had such a fun time.  Hopefully by next winter I will be able to join them!  :)

CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Christmas is such a magical time of year.  It is a time that makes me happy.  Baking, shopping, pictures, smiles and laughter.  The older I get the more I am able to think about the real meaning of Christmas.  I love thinking of little baby Jesus and all that that means.  It means I get to live with my family FOREVER.  It means I can be forgiven for all the things I don't do right.  It means I have a Heavenly Father that loves me... a lot.  My little family means everything to me and THEY are a gift I get to cherish forever.  Isn't that cool?

Sooo, here is a slew of Christmas moments this year.

Making our traditional Christmas treat!

Decorating the Christmas Tree!!!

pictures to put on Christmas cards

Christmas creations--Darin won't let me call them ginger bread houses because he feels it takes all the creativity out of the experience.  :)  I love making these with the kids.  :)  I had an AWESOME frosting (glue) recipe made with egg whites.  It was super sticky--super awesome!

Christmas Sunday!  Aren't they lovely?

Can we LIVE in our Chistmas Jammies?

 

 Christmas Morning movie!  :)

This was a bit of a tough Christmas for me.  Since having my gallbladder out last year, I haven't felt well at all.  Constant nausea, dizziness, and a slew of weird things.  My body just doesn't want to function and I'm uncomfortable and struggling.  Although not feeling well, I was able to be with it enough to enjoy Christmas morning.  I love my crew!

Bell Choir

J and Lo were able to play in a bell choir for our Christmas Sunday program. They did a great job and loved participating. This was taken at one of their practices!! :)

Friends and Playdates

A few months ago, a sweet family moved into our ward and has a cute cute girl Meg's age.  They have been such great friends.  :)

 Dress ups ROCK!

Meg took M to dance class with her one day.

During one playdate, they decided to play birthday party!  :)

Your HOW old?

Happy Birthday to ME!!!  This has been a rough year.  I had gallbladder surgery last September and haven't really felt well since.  Constant nausea and dizziness is the name of the game.  I've been to dr.'s and had test after test and nothing is wrong.  My uncle had a similar experience after his gallbladder surgery.  It took 2 years before he could eat anything besides oatmeal and grapes.  While on one had this is a bit discouraging.  2 years is a long long time to feel soooo bad.  HOWEVER, it is also a source of hope.  I will feel better.  I will get better.  In the meantime,  I have cut all fat out of my diet and am taking some supplements to help with the nausea.  Some days are horrible.  Other days are o.k., but I'm almost always uncomfortable.  I have a new found sympathy for anyone with chronic health problems.  It has been a mental, physical, and emotional challenge most every day.  I'm about 1 year down, hopefully only 1 year to go before I'm back to 'normal'.  WITH that said,  I wasn't feeling well enough to make my cake this year, so D made my cake :)  The kids wanted an igloo cake! :)  I'm glad that the kids were still excited for my birthday.  :)

Soo, happy birthday to me.  And hopefully next birthday will be even better!  :)

Happy Halloween!

My Awesome sister and her family moved to the neighboring state and we are THRILLED!!!  We all got together for Halloween.  We trick or treated, made caramel apples, and watched Hotel Transylvania.  I love family!  :)

Let's DANCE!

Meg is taking dance again this year and LOVES it!  She likes tap dance the best right now.  She loves being with the other girls and enjoys being social.

She got to dress up for Halloween and this is the costume she picked.  She is such a fun, happy, little one!  :)

I took a few pics and video of Meg during observation day.

This free scrapbooking design created with Smilebox

Walk through the Woods

Our family REALLY likes to walk through woods.  We like to find new trails and go exploring.  This mostly happened on Sunday afternoons.  Sunday walks as a family are great.  Anyway, I found a few pictures on my phone and thought I'd share them.  :)  I absolutely love watching my kids explore the freedom of the woods.  There are so many times we are teaching them how to act/where... It's just nice to see them be kids!  :)

I think this is Ceasars Creek?

 I think these are the woods close to our house.

 Little Miami River

 I can't remember this place.  It was a new place.

Back to School!

Meg has been waiting for this day for MANY years!  She is so excited to get on the bus!  I'm excited for her.  She is one happy kindergartner!

 

 J and Lo are in the same school this year.  They are happy to ride the bus together this year.  4th and 6th grade.  Crazy how quickly they are growing up.

 Zander is so excited for 1st grade.  H is excited to eat lunch at school this year and thinks his new shoes are AWESOME!