Happy New Year!!

Hard to believe that we're once again at the end of another year!  It's been one that has seen a lot of change for me personally and I plan to continue that into the new year.  We've had some wonderful times as family and have some big things coming this year as well in terms of change for sure. 

As a result of the craziness that may ensue this year along with all the everyday stuff, I'm hoping to complete Project Life this year.  The idea is that you take a picture a day for a year and document it with journaling as well.  I'm not going to stress about this and just fill days I miss with suff of the kids, but I think might be a fun project for us since I haven't been scrapping as much lately (though I plan to do more of that in 2011 as well!).

This has been the big change for me personally.  I got tired of being tired and worrying about my health, so I did something about it.  I went back to Weight Watchers in July and have lost almost 60lbs since going back (though have put a few back on over the holidays!).  Need to get back at it because I plan on losing more in 2011 and I'd love to get to goal!  I know it'll be hard work, but I'm looking forward to the challenge to be honest.  And nothing can replace how much better I already feel, so bring on 2011!

As for our family...

- George continued working for the city and is doing very well there with a possible promotion in 2011
- I'm still taking care of Sophia and Matthew, but it changed to 5 days a week as of September this year when Tracy got a new job
- also working at the store and teaching a lot of classes!  Fun stuff!
- Kyle started Grade 2 and had 2 new teachers as well as being in a 2/3 split
- Nathan continued at the preschool and is doing well
- we thoroughly enjoyed the Olympics earlier this year and George volunteered!
- I was lucky enough to see one of the Olympic speedskating events since Tracy and Brian won an Olympics package!
- continued on the PAC at Kyle's school as the Emergency Preparedness rep
- celebrated my 40th birthday in May!

- we had an amazing birthday/retirement party for dad!
- the boys opened bank accounts

- Kyle started karate and has laready passed his first grading and has a new belt

- poor Nathan spent the last few months of the year sick with everything from bronchitis to ear infections (though we think he's thankfully finally feeling better now!)
- We went to see The Wiggles again with Tracy, Brian, Sophia and Matthew as well!

- enjoyed many wonderful family get togethers!  Above picture is from Easter.
- it was a year of Star Wars and Lego (or both combined!) in our house this year!

We've had a fun year full of wonderful of wonderful memories.  The boys are growing so quickly that I sometimes want to be abe to slow time and just enjoy every single moment and while I can't do that, I can take the time to appreciate what is - right now! 

Here's to an amazing 2011 everyone!  Happy New Year!



Cheers,

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Good Morning!  Merry Christmas!

Yes, it's a little after 7am here and the tree is all done and we're busy building Star Wars Lego.  OK, the boys are doing that and I'm sitting here with my coffee! 

Kyle was first up at 3:30am this morning wanting to do the tree and we managed to hold him off until 6am.  I'm not sure that he actually slept any more, but at least we weren't up then.  I don't think I slept much after about 4:30-5ish since I had the boys in my bed rolling around and trying to sleep.  Nathan actually slept more after coming in, but Kyle didn't.  George went and slept in Nathan's bed for a bit!

Kyle was so excited when I told him that we could get up!  I asked him to go wake George and he did, but then he went flying into the living room - without us!  No pictures!  hee hee  I got him to come back since Nathan wasn't even awake yet.  Once Nathan was awake, he did the same thing as Kyle and went shooting into the living room without us.  Once again, no pictures!  I know, it's not that big a deal, but it's just funny for me. 

We all went in and opened stockings first.  Santa did a wonderful job of finding lots of little things we needed.  I even got a Build-A-Bear card for the Rudolph I wanted!  Yes, I wanted one!  After stockings, I went and popped in the Overnight Apple Cinnamon French Toast casserole I made last night.  I hope it's good and it sure smells good right now!

Then, it was on to opening the presents under the tree and it was a whirlwind.  Of course, with Kyle leading the show, all went smoothly, but he was whipping through his presents!  Kyle kept handing presents to Nathan to open and poor Nathan couldn't keep up.  Kyle had stuff ripped open, ooohed and aahed and moved on to the next one.  And they were both seriously spoiled as usual.  Santa was good enough to bring them the Star Wars Lego they asked for and that's what they're working on now.  Thinking it'll be a bit of a long project.  Kyle is also dying to play the online Lego Universe game we got them, but that'll have to wait for now since it had to be loaded on the computer and everything. 

George and I got spoiled this year too!  I got Old Navy gift cards since almost none of my clothes fit anymore, some bath stuff, a small box of chocolates and an iPod Touch!  How cool is that?!  Lovin' it!  I can't wait to have some time to play with it!!  I broke down and got George the XBox 360 he wanted and Santa brought him a router since the one he had was broken.  He got some other odds and ends too, but those were the big things.  All of us spoiled for sure!  Once again!

It's funny watching the boys because it's like they can't concentrate on any one thing for more than a minute.  They played with Lego for a bit.  Then Nathan had his Dinosaur Train toys out and all talking to each other.  Kyle pulled out the hot air popcorn maker and put it together.  Now they're trying to figure out the walkie talkies that Tracy and Brian got them.  No attention span whatsoever here!

Well, better go check on breakfast and see if I can play with my iPod for a bit!  Need to make my candied yams as well and then we'll be going to Uncle Steve and Auntie Laura's for dinner to everyone.  I feel like I need a nap already!

Hope everyone is spending the day with family and friends!  Enjoy!
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
Cheers,

Sketches in Thyme Guest Designer!

I'm very proud to say that I was the guest designer today for Sketches in Thyme!  The card above was my submission for the sketch challenge and I had a lot of fun doing this!  Check out the link and see all the other fabulous work by the design team!

Cheers,