A look back

Since today is the last day of 2008 (still doesn't seem possible), I thought I would do a look back at the year.

What a year it has been!

Cody and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary on May 1st. It really doesn't seem like 10 years have passed already. We didn't have a baby sitter, but I still tried to make it special (like I try to do everything). We had a nice dinner after the kids went to bed.

I finally got rid of the Explorer and became a member of the minivan club. Cody sold his car, to get a motorcycle (thanks to gas prices) and then a used Jeep Cherokee (which he loves). Now, he's talking about selling the motorcycle. Which I have to admit I'm really happy about because I hate the feeling I get everytime he gets on that thing. I hate the worry when he's running late from work. But, at the same time I feel so guilty because he really likes it.

I've watched my kids grow up into little people. I think that is one of the most amazing things ever. We love this stage, but at the same time it's driving us crazy.
Rylie has lost two teeth, which means she's growing way to fast. She's reading, writing and just a smart little girl. She's not into the little kid stuff anymore. Make way for Hannah Montana and all those other girlie things. No more little kid movies for her. She's cut her hair and developed a teenager attitude to go along with it. She loves her gymnastics. She takes 2 classes a week because she's on the developmental team (hopefully she'll start competing next year). Gymnastics is all she wants. She told me one day that her dream was to go to the Olympics and win a gold medal on the bars. So, look out 2020 Olympics because here we come.
Chase, wow he's just all boy. He went from playing what the girls wanted, to getting into the boy stuff. He's into golf, baseball, super hero's and skateboarding. He loves skateboarding. Although we think he's a little too young for a skateboard right now (he does have a scooter and we'll revisit the skateboard idea in a few months). Cody does have him all decked out in his Tony Hawk stuff, which he loves. He's got Tony Hawk shirts, pants, jackets and shoes. He looks so cute. And then Cody makes his hair "stand up".
Preslie, wow what can I say about her. She gets meaner every day and I mean every day. She's the bully at home but at school she lets people bully her. She's too timid at school, which is very funny. She has her own personality and attitude. It's really quite funny, of course not at the time. She will be the one giving us the run for our money. She's in gymnastics and seems to really like it. She's pretty good at it too. We started her in speech therapy and I hope we'll see a change soon. Although, I can always tell what she's saying (or almost).

Cody has been accepted to his first CRNA school and we're waiting to hear from another one. I'm so proud of him. Of course, this means another move in our future but I'm ready for it. I kind of like the moving around. He moved back to the operating room a few months back and he's so happy. He just did not like working in the ICU. His number one love is the operating room. Guess it's a good thing he's going to CRNA school. I love seeing him talk about his work again and being happy when he comes home and not so tired.

Me, I've been busy with work. I didn't think I'd enjoy working with a bunch of 5-6 year olds but I love it! I've decided this is what I want to do. I want to teach kindergarten. So, once Cody gets done with school then I hope I'll start school.

Undecided

I still haven't decided on dinner tomorrow, but I'm thinking something maybe with chicken. I might do stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer. I'm also going to do something individual for dessert. Kind of a made to order thing.

I have been cleaning and rearranging the living room furniture. I've got the living room and kitchen done and I'm working on the bedroom now. Things look so good the way I've got them right now. Of course, it won't take long before the twin "tornado's" destroy it.

The weather was wonderful today. The kids spent most of the day outside while I did all the cleaning. They love being outside. We also went and washed the van today.

Dinner?

So, I'm trying to figure out what to make for dinner tomorrow night. Cody has to work but I really want to make something from my new Top Chef cookbook. I have been going over that cookbook in every direction trying to decide on a recipe. They all look sooooo yummy! I'm going to make something different for the kids, so I'll be searching for kid recipes.

I've already gotten the New Year's hats, little blowers and leis. I've got the sparkling juice with the plastic champagne glasses for the kids. I might pick up a bottle of wine for Cody and myself. Not sure yet.

Opening presents

New haircuts

Little Drummer boy

Singing Queen

I'm rocking it, mom

Baby Brinley

Nana's house

Christmas morning picture

Wow!! Where did the year go?

I can't believe that in a few days we'll see the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009. This year has flown by.

Christmas treated the kids very well this year. We started our holiday off by making the annual Christmas Eve get together at Cody's aunts house. Cody did have to work part of the morning, but was able to make it to Children's Christmas Mass. The kids were adorable. Chase was a shepherd. He looked so cute standing up at the alter looking at the nativity. Rylie and Preslie were beautiful angels, as always. We came home, put the reindeer food, santa key and carrots out. Preslie insisted that Santa wanted Oreo's this year, so we left those out.

We actually got to sleep in on Christmas morning, 7:30am. It was wonderful. I love listening to the patter of the feet and the "oooohs and aaaaahs". They love the Rock Band that Santa brought, of course I think Cody is having more fun with it then the kids. Chase loves the drums. He hits them together and says "1-2-1-2-3" and this morning he was showing me how he could spin them. Is this what my future holds. He say a drum set at Sam's the other day and told me that was the kind of drums he wanted. Preslie loves the microphone. She loves to sing (just like her momma). Rylie loves playing with her acoustic Hannah Montana guitar. We tried to do a little more of a toy free Christmas this year and it worked out great. The kids got things that they really wanted and less toys. I think we only got them 2 toys apiece. Right now, the hits in our house are the Spiderman and Princess Scooters for Chase and Preslie and the roller skates for Rylie. They also love their mp3 players from Nana. It took us awhile to get them off Chase. Cody admitted that he wasn't sure how he felt about them getting those (my idea) but then said it was a great idea. We keep them in the car and the kids love listening to "their" music.

Friday, we headed into town with the intent of doing a little shopping. Of course, we got a late start so we didn't find much stuff. We went out again yesterday and I got a couple of new shirts, a new purse, wallet, perfume (Dreamer by Tommy Hilfiger), new boots (brown this time) and a new bra. Oh and I finally got myself an mp3 player. Yea, now I can listen to my music around the house. Cody got a new game for the PS3, a new shirt and a new jacket. I think he may have gotten something else but I can't remember.

The girls decided they wanted a haircut yesterday, so we also did that. Rylie wanted to go to a bob again and Preslie wanted a cut like Rylie's. Of course, I just let her go to her shoulders. It looks great on P and I think we'll keep that her length. Rylie looks cute as well. It makes her look older and I'm not sure if I'm ready for that.

Cody and I took down the Christmas decorations today. I usually wait until the New Year but I just wanted to get it done today. I love the Christmas decorations but it's great to have my living room back again. I'll be moving the stuff up to the attic tomorrow and moving my tables back into the house. This next week I will be spending it getting rid of a lot of stuff and doing a lot of cleaning, since I go back to work next week. I want to reorganize my bedroom and get ahold of the kids room (of course I'm afraid to go in there).

The best way to spread Christmas cheer

is singing loud for all to hear.


You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout I'm telling you why Santa Claus is coming to town

He's making a list And checking it twice;
Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town

He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good So be good for goodness sake!
O! You better watch out!
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why

Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good So be good for goodness sake!
O! You better watch out!

You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town!

Christmas vacation

YIPPIE!!!!!!!

I am so excited to have the next 2 weeks off. The past week has been hectic and wild. The girls had gymnastics on Monday, on top of our rain/sleet mix that was coming down. I think it rained and we had a little sleet on Tuesday. That was a very long day. We had a PTO meeting at school and Rylie was getting her WWJD award for the first quarter. Of course, the OR was busy. Which meant Cody couldn't get off work until late. He actually showed up a few mins before Rylie got her award. But, I had to work (help the kindergarten get settled) the first part of the program and then sit through the Christmas program....all with 2 four year olds who were tired and ready to go. I don't think we made it home until close to 9 that night.

Wednesday was another busy day and of course, Chase and Rylie had gymnastics. The weather had cleared up, but it was still very cold. Thursday was just a bad day from the start. Cody had his interview in Little Rock with Wesleyan. He forgot to take the trash out, which meant I got to do that along with get myself and 3 kids ready for school. He took my van and I had his Jeep. Oh, that ride was horrible. The kids were right beside each other. And that means, they yell, scream and hit each other. Yes, not a fun 30 min trip to school. After school I had to run to the store and pick up books for the twins pre-k Christmas party from the PTO. Rylie had gymnastics, again (her make-up class for next week). I had to deal with the twins together during this time and try to keep them occupied because Cody still wasn't back yet. The kindergartners were just wound up yesterday and my nerves had just been completely shot by the time I got home (remember car ride). I also had to bake 3 dozen cookies for the school Christmas lunch. Mental note, next year.....buy cookies!!!!!

I did take some of my frustration out on my husband. I know it wasn't his fault but I was tired and I didn't want to deal with the kids by myself anymore. Heck, I went to the bathroom for the first time yesterday at 6 pm last night. That's how busy I was. Cody put all his receipts on the computer, which upset me. He got to have a nice sit down lunch at a nice restaurant with quiet. Ya, that didn't settle well. But, he left his Christmas bonus (a wal-mart gift card) and $10 cash on the computer. He was giving them to me so I wouldn't be mad at him anymore. Isn't that sweet? I thought so, but I couldn't take it because I'd feel guilty. It made me feel better for him to take it back because I've got a check from my grandma for Christmas and I plan on using that to buy a new pair of shoes. New shoes make me happy. I love shoes. f

Today has been long overdue. I'm ready to relax and not do to much. I'm ready to get my house back in order and organize a few things. I'm ready for Christmas. Of course, I'm sure the kids will be driving me crazy before long. I think I'll see if Cody wants to go drive around tonight and look at Christmas lights. I know the kids would love that.

Christmas movies

I think I've almost seen every Christmas movie ever made. I love watching these movies. I can tell you the characters, the plots and sometimes even do the movie word for word. It doesn't matter what it's about and if it's cheesy or not, I have to watch it. And, I don't watch them once or twice a year but probably about 3 times. ABC family has some great shows on and so does Lifetime.

Happy Birthday

To my dear sweet husband, my soul mate. I'm so glad you caught up to me:):)

I love you more then you'll ever know.

Buddy the Elf....

we now are the proud owners of one, Buddy the Elf. He made the journey from the North Pole to keep a watch after the kids and report back to Santa Claus. He leaves during the night and will appear in a new location the next morning. Then, on Christmas Eve he will go back to the North Pole until next year when he'll come back and start the process all over again.

I must say, the kids are very interested in Buddy. They know they can't touch him because they will take his "magic" and then he won't be able to get to the pole. I've told them that they can only look at him. Rylie keeps looking at him and wondering how he can sit so still. She thinks his cheeks are getting redder and redder and she just laughs at the way he's holding his hands. It's priceless.

Long awaited pictures!!

I know everyone has been waiting on pins and needles for these pictures...hahahaha.

The first one is the Christmas cupcake ornaments that we made. The kids had fun "decorating" them. Then, we have the stockings and the tree. And one of the kids with their finished gingerbread house.