Christmas was busy as usual. It wasn't all I had hoped for, to be honest. We were trying to get over our tenant who was threatening us, one of our loved dogs died--which felt like we'd lost our own child. We were busy from one Christmas thing to another, Andrew sung in a choir for the stake Christmas program. I made a traditional turkey dinner for 60 people for a RS x-mas meeting, pretty much by myself with a few exceptions of having some helpers warm up food and using others ovens for 6 turkeys (however i prepped, seasoned and delivered all the turkeys to be cooked). And on top of that I was trying to get ready for our upcoming LDS Pioneer trek the week after Christmas. AND make sure there were presents under the tree and exposing Abby to all the Christmas traditions I like to do.
It was stressful, and as much as I tried to NOT make it stressful it just became more stressful. I'm glad that it's all over.
Christmas eve, we got to spend with our good friends the Lawton's. We played games, ate dinner, and read Christmas books. Then on the drive home we read the scriptures of Jesus' birth. Once we arrived back in Maricopa (the lawton's live a good hour and a half + away), we delivered cookies to friend's doors at midnight Christmas eve. That was kind of fun, I think I liked delivering cookies that way at that time.
Christmas day was nice and sort of relaxing (minus the stress of the Trek). The house was picked up, we opened presents. I enjoyed watching my 3 year old learn the surprises and traditions of Christmas Day. My cousin, John Lawrence's family sent us a Christmas card with a picture of Santa by the tree with all the presents underneath it. Abby carried that picture around all December, continually asking me if this was going to happen to her (having Santa come and presents and what not) I told her yes, it would happen. Christmas day came around and she pulled out the card that she'd carried all around. She looked at the card then looked at the tree and the presents and said.... "MOM, IT'S JUST LIKE THE CARD!" phew! mission complete! :) That night we had friends come over and eat some delicious ham with us for dinner. And called it a night.
Here's a few pics of Abby with Santa. I don't know where all the other Christmas pictures went ? maybe I didn't take any-- which is hard to believe. I've been having picture problems lately :(
20 February 2011
Andrew's birthday.
Oct 1, was Andrew's birthday. I know, this should have been two posts before the last two but oh well.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
He's now TWENTY-SEVEN! He's getting so old! ;)
He's:
For his birthday abby insisted that he needed PINK balls to play with.... i don't know where that idea came from. I think the git was more for herself than dad, but that's what she wanted to give him.
Here's some pictures of him opening his presents.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
He's now TWENTY-SEVEN! He's getting so old! ;)
He's:
- sweet
- kind
- handsome
- sexy
- fun
- goofball
- loving
- helpful
- smart
- forward thinker
- giving
- bold
- strong
- talented
- good kisser ;)
- faithful
- spiritual
- forgiving
- patient
- understanding
- open minded
- always trying to improve things
- instinctive
- charming
- intuitive
- logical
- friendly
For his birthday abby insisted that he needed PINK balls to play with.... i don't know where that idea came from. I think the git was more for herself than dad, but that's what she wanted to give him.
Here's some pictures of him opening his presents.
November...
So in November, we got to go to San Diego and relax from a stressful two and a half months of having tenants living in our house. They chose to leave during our vacation to SD. We used our vacation, as a time to enjoy, Grandma Cowles, A. Eileen, Daniel's family and the Robertson's. As well as, unload the frustration, stress and to get away from the disappointment in our tenants.
As always, we love to see family and it seems like it's never long enough. I'm not sure if I have any pictures from the visit, but thank you family for welcoming us.
We had a turkey dinner at the Robertson's the Sunday before Thanksgiving which was pretty much or thanksgiving. We sort of had a Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving Day but Andrew had to work so it was really low key. We had a little bit of turkey, mainly because it was so cheap and I bottled the meat that evening... That was about it.
For the month of November though, I wanted to write down something I was thankful for each day until Thanksgiving. Here are 25 things I am thankful for:
As always, we love to see family and it seems like it's never long enough. I'm not sure if I have any pictures from the visit, but thank you family for welcoming us.
We had a turkey dinner at the Robertson's the Sunday before Thanksgiving which was pretty much or thanksgiving. We sort of had a Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving Day but Andrew had to work so it was really low key. We had a little bit of turkey, mainly because it was so cheap and I bottled the meat that evening... That was about it.
For the month of November though, I wanted to write down something I was thankful for each day until Thanksgiving. Here are 25 things I am thankful for:
- My family, who love me, understand me, tolerate me, and help me though life.
- The gospel of Jesus Christ, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the strength, help,courage and knowledge it gives me each day.
- My house, a shelter from the outside world. A place where I can find peace and happiness and decorate it however I want. :)
- Cars that run and get me from place to place so that I can live where I live and go where the world takes me.
- My puppies, who keep me happy and entertained.
- My friends who keep me on my toes and show me that you do need to clean out your fridge and dust and go to the park every once and a while. :)
- My garden and green thumb husband who makes sure my citrus trees don't die and leave with beautiful flowers and trees to use and look at.
- Programs (Blogs, Face book, Twitter) that allows me to communicate to family and friends without having to hold a pen. :)
- Computers/internet that keep me thinking, learning, and up to date on life.
- My cats that warm me when I'm sick or cold.
- My testimony of Jesus Christ.
- The warm weather and the fact that I don't have to drive in the snow! thanks goodness!
- My husband, I know I said family, but he gets a special one. I sure do love him!
- Abby's little thoughts she shares with me as she learns and grows
- My health and my family's health. I'm thankful that I am able to get up and walk and do that things I need to do each day.
- The temple and the peace, love, happiness and knowledge it gives to me.
- A job, that Andrew can work and bring home income and put the food on the table.
- a great church ward family that uplifts and makes me feel the Saviour's love.
- a wonderful, entertaining childhood I was given, with great examples to try and follow.
- a knowledge that there is a world outside of the united states.. and how how i miss it!
- good food, and the fact that i can cook it! I hate having bland same thing each day food, I'm so glad I can cook and switch it up!
- Having a house to myself and my family and not having to share it with any one else!
- having the convenience of quick fast water, food and electricity.
- Having a grandparent that my daugther can meet and love
- Reese's chocolate. :)
Halloween
Then there was Halloween. Abby was a... fairy/princess/whatever. :)
We kind of had a bummer Halloween, but I'm ok with that. Halloween came on a Sunday and I didn't feel it right to go out and trick or treat on Sunday. I don't mind handing out candy and being friendly with neighbors, but on Sunday, it's just not a sabbath day holy activity to me, so we didn't go out.
However at music makers, a singing group I often take Abby to, they got to go to that in costume. Then we had a ward trunk or treat and she got to wear her costume again. However we came a half hour late to the trunk or treat (it was because of confusion. I thought we were eating the first hour then trunk or treating the second hour-- WRONG. ALL the candy was gone by the time we got there.) :( So we missed out on candy this year. Oh well, we had a bunch of our own that we were going to hand out but didn't because we were late. It was alright though, all she cared about was that she got to dress up. Here's some pictures
We kind of had a bummer Halloween, but I'm ok with that. Halloween came on a Sunday and I didn't feel it right to go out and trick or treat on Sunday. I don't mind handing out candy and being friendly with neighbors, but on Sunday, it's just not a sabbath day holy activity to me, so we didn't go out.
However at music makers, a singing group I often take Abby to, they got to go to that in costume. Then we had a ward trunk or treat and she got to wear her costume again. However we came a half hour late to the trunk or treat (it was because of confusion. I thought we were eating the first hour then trunk or treating the second hour-- WRONG. ALL the candy was gone by the time we got there.) :( So we missed out on candy this year. Oh well, we had a bunch of our own that we were going to hand out but didn't because we were late. It was alright though, all she cared about was that she got to dress up. Here's some pictures
Gymnastics
Abby started gymnastics in September. For being 3 and all she's done pretty well. I've been impressed. I hope she continues to enjoy it.
(Katie can correct me if I'm wrong, but from the photo you can see it was taken by Amy Jamieson Photography for Desert Star Gymnastics. She posted this picture on her face book page and wouldn't let me see it. Then finally she let me see it but she wouldn't let me tag myself in it so that my friends and family can see it. I understand wanting to protect your photos and copy rights and such, but if you're going to put a picture of my child up on face book with out my permission, I'd at least appreciate tagging me in it, so that i know about it and can share. Maybe that's wrong, but don't put the picture up at all if you're going to be picky about it. Any who, that was a side tangent)
She can now walk across the beam without help. She's improving a lot, and I love to watch her grow in this! It's already helping her motor skills in her daily life. Yay!
and here's some pictures. not the best but you get the idea.
Slideshow of some gymnastics pictures, taken when she first started.
(Katie can correct me if I'm wrong, but from the photo you can see it was taken by Amy Jamieson Photography for Desert Star Gymnastics. She posted this picture on her face book page and wouldn't let me see it. Then finally she let me see it but she wouldn't let me tag myself in it so that my friends and family can see it. I understand wanting to protect your photos and copy rights and such, but if you're going to put a picture of my child up on face book with out my permission, I'd at least appreciate tagging me in it, so that i know about it and can share. Maybe that's wrong, but don't put the picture up at all if you're going to be picky about it. Any who, that was a side tangent)
She can now walk across the beam without help. She's improving a lot, and I love to watch her grow in this! It's already helping her motor skills in her daily life. Yay!
and here's some pictures. not the best but you get the idea.
Slideshow of some gymnastics pictures, taken when she first started.
Some how I need to end 2010....
It's been far past due... an update that is. I was hoping I would have gotten it done several weeks ago but the inability to post pictures has discouraged me and sent away. Alas, it's time to conquer the big monster, the blog/family journal.
What has happened since I last truly updated my blog.
(Posts to follow)
What has happened since I last truly updated my blog.
(Posts to follow)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
