Reflection

Happy New Year to all who read this! New Year, New Layout.I want to encourage you to not be afraid to leave a comment. Just say HI!

Mark and I decided to spend New Years at home with each other and it was one of the more fun times we've had. It confirmed our theory that as long as we're together we know it'll be fun. It also let us reflect over the good and bad of 2007 and come up with some plans for 2008. Of course losing weight and eating right is at the top of our list we made sure to get some real goals down, both financially and spiritually. We want to find a church we like and make it a habit to go, not wake up and decide that going to bruch would be so much more fun!

New Years day we held brunch at our house for the Douherets, Pasquals, my parents and grandma. The kids played outside all day with cars, bikes, scooters, poppers and lots of food. It was the kind of day I loved when I was a kid. The day you felt like you can run free. We of course made time pass with a friendly game of black jack which lucky enough, Mark won the pot. We bought this dealer visor in vegas and couldn't wait to pull it out. My grandma was here for a week visiting from Texas and it was nice to see her with her great grandkids. Although she only speaks espanol, they seemed to get by just fine. Cookies and candy is internationally known.

Christmas

Oh to be a kid again. The excitement of knowing that Santa came is such an enjoyment as a parent. Mark and I lay awake at 6:00 in the morning expecting our kids to come running but instead, we lay. And lay. And lay. Fianlly Drew wakes up and we beg her to go wake up Peyton but she demands milk. Sigh. This has happened every Christmas. Peyton is up late Christmas eve so he sleeps in longer than we can and we lay in bed waiting to hear his footsteps in the living room then hear them charging into our bedroom. Maybe next year. They were both extememly excited about what Santa brought and we even learned that Drew isn't as much of a tomboy as we thought. It turns out that if you buy her girly things she'll play with them. She loves a tea set that my boss bought for her and Santa gave her a stroller with a Dora doll that she pushes all around the house. Not to mention the plastic dress up shoes and hot pink cell phone. I really do have a little girl! Peyton was very happy with his cool new sponge bob skateboard amongst the gazillion other things he got, but he couldn't wait to put on his chef's gear and help dad cook breakfast. No, that is not a knife he's holding but some kind of skinny spatula. Unfortunately, kitchen utensils aren't my thing.

Catching Up

Well, time completely flew the last 2 weeks so I have some catching up to do. So much to write about, so little time. We started off our Christmas with a wonderful dinner/gift exchange at Jen and Christophe. The kids were so excited to open presents but they very nicely posed for a pic so I can blog it! And of course afterwards they sat with all of the goods before running off to play the new game, try on the new clothes or hat. The house was decorated so pretty they had a nice tree that gave off scent compared to ours which dried out and drooped. I think the scent of the tree helps getting into the Christmas mode. Maybe next year I'll buy a pine scented candle to help my mood. I was getting a little bah humbug-ish but this party helped me snap out of it and get into the spirit of things.

Mark and I under the mistletoe. Oh wait, there wasn't any!

Drew posing in her new p.js, thanks danielle!

End of an Era

Well, the time has come and we are now a crib free house. It's been 5 years we've had that crib and I can't believe we don't have to use it anymore. Drew has moved into her "big girl" bed and is pretty content so far. It's the cutest little Pottery Barn toddler bed that my cousin handed down to us. It is so tiny and low to the ground that we need to but some furniture so the rooms doesn't look so empy. It's only been 2 nights but she goes down easily and never gets back up. We'll see if it lasts but it's been nice. It's funny to hear her little foot steps at 5:15 in the morning running to our room and asking if she could watch Dora. I know I won't think it's funny or cute on Saturday morning when I can finally sleep in. She was really excited when she saw it and her afro looks exceptional in the pics don't you think? During the week I don't gel her hair so it seems to "fro" out but the weekends when we have things to do I always try to put some effort into it and it usually looks pretty cute if you ask me.

On Sunday's we usally turn off the TV and blast the music. We decided to put on mexican music and the kids went to town dancing with each other. It was the cutest thing. We're planning on buying a new camera that films little videos so we can do a better job documenting. For now the pictures will have to do justice.

Decorating

Now that everyone is healthy (Drew finally got over the flu Wed) we started decorting for Christmas. I can't believe how fast it's coming. We got a small tree this year to put on one of our end tables. We were afraid the dog and Drew would knock it down. Sure enough, the minute we put some ornaments Drew was jumping up trying to grab them but they were out of her reach. We're done shopping for all the kids we have to buy for so that feels good. Now, it' on to the adults. It seems like it gets harder and harder each year. Every year I swear I'm going to be done early and every year I wait till the last minute. I'm starting to become the scrooge and complain that I wish I didn't have to deal with Christmas this year. The line, the money, the wrapping....Of course, Christmas morning I'm wide awake at 5:00 dying for the kids to wake up and run to the living room to see the goods. That makes me forget about all the headaches and stress and reminds me that it was all worth it.

Today was our last soccer game and we lost. The kids were pretty upset but they got over it once they got medals. I of course forgot my camera so I have nothing to mark the occassion. We're having our end of the year party on Wednesday so I'll have to make a note not to forget that day. Tonight we're going to an adult only Wine Party at our friends The Hershbergers. I love going to their house and not having to worry that Drew might fall in the pool is going to be an extra bonus!

Peyton lost his front tooth Wednesday at school so here he is Thursday morning still trying to open his eyes. He called us from his room and didn't want to get out of bed until he re-enacted how he felt the dollar under his pillow and how it woke him up. Wouldn't it be great if there was a diet fairy who left a dollar under our pillow for every pound we lost....

Drew posing in her new Pj's

The Vegas

We're back. Vegas was fun, relaxing and unbelievably mellow. We weren't in party mode and went to bed pretty early every night according to Vegas standards. We got there on Friday afternoon and had a ton of fun but when we called to check up on the kids Saturday morning our trip took a turn. Both kids had been throwing up and not keeping anything down. My poor mom sounded so tired and was trying to talk but with both kids crying it was hard to hear. We wanted to come home but she assured us she could handle it so we continued on but it was hard since the sound was lingering in our heads. We walked the entire strip and took some fun pics along the way. All in all, I was so happy to go and get away. I can't wait till next time. We met up with Santa and made sure Peyton and Drew were on the good list. Peyton was very happy to see the proof and is counting down to Christmas eve....

Off to Vegas

We're off! We'll be back Monday with good stories and pictures. I'm gonna be the ultimate tourist this time. Lots of pictures, margaritas by the yard, anything to make Mark embarrased.

Not enough time

There is not enough time in a day. I feel like I'm constantly running to keep up and by the end of the day I'm laying in bed thinking of what the first thing I have to do is because I didn't get to it the day before. I'm sure it's just the holiday stress. So, to catch up on a few things, Peyton got his kindergarden and soccer pics. I think they turned out so cute. He normally doesn't show his teeth but since his front ones are about to fall out he loves to show them off all of a sudden. Sure, being a thumb sucker doesn't help with his overbite but what kid doesn't have braces nowadays. By high school he'll have a colgate smile!

So it was a goal to have our Christmas cards ordered and mailed before we left this weekend. Here are some of the results of trying to get the kids to smile for the camera at the same time. It was a much better experience than last year but I'm still a big fan of last years card. Most people loved it and even called to tell us how funny it was but some but some hated it. My reasoning was that it was my reality at the time, we're not a picture perfect family and that was the best I could do after hours of trying. Looking back at it makes me laugh.

Confession

I need to confess. I'm a greenbean casserole junkie and I completely overdosed on it this weekend. I've been eating it since Friday for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack and in anywhere between. And now, it's all gone and I'm having withdrawls. Mark promised to make sure to make it more often during the year so I won't overdose next year. On the bright side I very carefully stepped on the scale this morning, peeked through my fingers and let out a sigh of relief. I didn't gain a pound during my weekend binge and and debating on making this my new fad diet. If there is a cookie diet there could be a casserole diet.

We had a good time with both of our families this weekend but not many pics. My Uncle Ruben came and took some really good pictures that I'll post when I get them. Peyton made so much artwork at school that we made a collage on our big empty entryway wall. He was very excited and made sure everyone noticed it when they came in. The other pics are from Jen and Christophe's house Thanksgiving day. Dinner was fantastic and the company couldn't be better. This is Drew with Christophe's nephew Arnaud. She was happy to pose with him and sat next to him most of the night.

Jesse and the kids

Jen Martha Douheret Stewart

Happy Thanksgiving

It's Thankgiving and I'm so excited. Turkey, Green bean casserole, stuffing, I CAN'T WAIT! It's the start to the holiday season and the most wonderful time of the year. Isn't that a song? Mark works today so we normally celebrate on Friday with our families in Tehachapi but this year they're headed out to the desert. You can't pass up this gorgeous weather.

We're lucky enough to get to celebrate today at Jen & Christophes house. This is our 4th year going there and it's become a tradition I really look forward to. Thanks Douherets for having us once again.

Just a quick couple of other things I'm Thankful for:

My Wonderful Husband. 11 Years together (7 married) and we're still going strong.

My 2 Kids who make me laugh more and more (on the days I'm not pulling my hair out)

Our Home and neighborhood. We have the best view of the mountains.

My Job (most of the days)

Kiddie Kollege and Desiree (Drew's daycare,who I don't have a picture for)

And of course all of our friends and family. If I put pictures up of all of them this could be the worlds longest post. I'm thankful that I have so many of both. I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving and enjoy the day with your family.