2010.....Here I Come!

I have been a slacker at updating my blog, which is obviously why I am months behind. It's the beginning of May and I have just finished 2009. I will celebrate this accomplishment and now start the new year (which is almost half way over...ha!)

Since I am so behind in my scrapbooking, I decided to start a blog for the simple purpose of journaling. This way, when I finally get around to compiling the kids scrapbooks, I will have a little information to go along with all the photos I have taken over the years. There are many types of blogs. Mine is neither creative or insightful but merely a way for me to keep some type of order in my chaos.

I haven't tried to print out my blog. Have any of you done this yet? If so, could you give me a few pointers on how I do this? I would appreciate any help I can get.

Let the 2010 blogging BEGIN.....!

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2009

Christmas morning comes way too soon after staying up late the night before. Jared and I usually tell the kids they have to wait until at least 8 a.m. before they wake us up and believe it or not they usually accommodate our request (they do come in 2-3 times to make sure we haven't changed our minds).

Look what Santa brought for us! We must have be nice and not naughty.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Wishing you all the best this holiday season.

We have been so blessed with loving family and friends. Thank you for being part of lives and helping us as we "Enjoy the Journey".

CHRISTMAS EVE 2009

We had a wonderful time on Christmas Eve, sharing food, fun and memories with our friends.

The Draney family invited us to spend the evening with them.

Bailey and Tatum - OUR ANGELS....Tatum's smile looks a little devious ;)

A Draney family tradition.....playing Christmas music with pipes. Everyone enjoys participating in the fun! And....if everyone does their part, the music sounds pretty good.

Another fun tradition....dressing up for the nativity play. Jeanine got pretty creative with the wisemen costume - a lamp shade for a hat and pink pants for Porter :)

On our way out the door, "Santa" dropped by with a treat for the kids. The Draney's neighbor, Larry, got into the spirit of the season. My kids all knew who he was but played along and had a good laugh.

After we got home, we opened up our traditional Christmas Eve gift (pajamas) and a new Christmas book. I love when my kids cooperate with each other during our "mini" photo shoot to try and get everyone looking at the camera and smiling at the same time. I realize they actually can get along.

Winter Fun 2009

Can you believe it...St. George opened an ice skating rink this year. The Dixie Igloo. The kids had fun going with their friends and trying out a new sport. They got the hang of things pretty fast. Bailey wanted to attempt it but I don't have the skills to keep myself upright let alone a 4 year old. Bailey and I hung out, drank hot chocolate and watched the kids enjoy the rink.

ICE SKATING

Abby and Sarah

Kelsee and Amelia

Maddy and Abby

GINGERBREAD COOKIES

Another tradition we have started over the past couple of years is making gingerbread people. Our Aunt Karen did this one year over the Thanksgiving holiday. Bailey had so much fun that we have continued the tradition. It's fun to give the kids a plain cookie and watch them use their imaginations and creativity. Bailey wanted to make a princess gingerbread person. She said it's not as fun to decorate boys. They don't wear skirts or crowns. Too funny!

Bailey, Abby and Maddy enjoying the holiday season.

Christmas Performances

December is always a busy month. Besides the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, the kids have been practicing for their Christmas performances to share with family and friends. Here is a little sampling of the month of recitals, concerts and plays....

Kelsee's Orchestra Concert

Abby's band concert...she chose to play the clarinet this year.

Bailey's Christmas play at preschool

All the 3rd graders in Maddy's school presented the Christmas concert this year. Maddy's group did a great job. She has come a long way from her preschool days and hiding behind her teacher and her friends.

Madison...first year of piano

Abby...third year of piano

Kelsee....sixth year of piano

Jared's family came down to watch the piano recital. They girls did a great job. It is nice to see all they have accomplished since the beginning of the school year.

Thanksgiving 2009

For Thanksgiving this year we stayed in St. George. Jared was working Thanksgiving morning so the kids and I went over to the Draney's for crepes. We then decided to go on a hike. The weather was beautiful. With the turkey in the oven, we headed off to Snow Canyon. It was nice to get a little fresh air and exercise before a big turkey dinner and a little snooze.

Happy Thanksgiving!

PLAYING CATCH UP

I have been a slacker with my blogging. I sat down 20 minutes ago to organize my photos and start the process of "catching up". Feeling peaceful and excited I began my first blog only to have one of my children come home from school and start freaking out at her sister for taking her stickers. I had peace and quiet....then it abruptly ended. I am hoping to catch up with 2009 by the end of this weekend. For now, I guess I will go take care of the sticker fiasco. I didn't know stickers became more important than people but then again...I am not a kid. :) I will take a couple of deep breaths...one....two..