Seminary Party

 

On the first of December, we invited Leonard's seminary class over for a Christmas party!  We introduced them to the best card game and to Len's shame, he never became  the Great Dalmuti.

 

Silly Tasha hiding her beautiful face.  Don't worry, I have some pics of her from Christmas Eve that will be on here soon.

 

Gavin likes the pretty ladies!

 

We spoiled them!  Not only they did get their monthly cupcakes (cherry this time), but they also got mint brownies, and tons of dips to go with veggies, crackers, apples, french bread, potato chips, and tortilla chips.

Thanks for coming guys, we have another party in store before spring break!

Cupcake Girl Blues

Now that the holidays are over it's back to eating healthy.  Don't get me wrong, I like eating healthy, BUT (yes, I have a big but- ha ha!) I  L O V E  love sugar, and I miss it so much!!



*So frustrated!  Blogger won't let me post the funny picture (or ANY picture) that goes here- ugh!!  So I obviously, got the picture posted.  Internet Explorer still won't let me do it, but Mozilla Firefox will.  Good luck to my other friends having problems with posting pics!

3 Thumbs Up!

We had wanted to take the kids to see this before Christmas, but of course our busy schedule prevented it.  We took them on New Year's Day and we all loved it!  I think when it comes out on DVD we're going to have to add it to our collection.

Later on New Year's Day, Len and I went on a date to see Les Mis.  This was the third time I've watched this tale and I bawled my eyes out, just as I knew I would.  Good thing I didn't wear any make-up!  I have not read the book yet, but I've seen the 1998 movie version, the musical at the Queens Theatre in London, and now the 2012 musical film.  I think this was my favorite rendition.  "To love another person is to see the face of God."  Amen!

Before Christmas, Len and I got to go on another date to see The Hobbit.  I loved it!  Of the 4 major books set in Middle Earth, this was my least favorite, but the movie was fantastic!  So glad that so much of the history of Middle Earth was added to the story.

12th of 12 = Happiness and Hope

As my previous post mentioned, I earned 9 out of 12 rewards this year.  Those 9 rewards gave me the above nativity.  It is so beautiful, I am in love with it and think it was way better than a gym membership!  In December I gained some more holiday weight and still have 3 "months" of weight to lose.  I'm okay with that.  In this new year I will continue in good eating habits (as much as possible, while still indulging every once in a while) and hope to finally reach my target weight.  And look below- there are some new pieces to add to my nativity when I reach each of those goals:

Zampognaro

Peace on Earth

Little Shepherdess

 

I am in a bit of a time crunch, because we hope to grow our family some more this year.  Some people think I'm crazy working so hard to lose weight, just hoping to get pregnant again.  I think it's the best thing.  I want to be healthy now, so hopefully the baby and pregnancy will be nourished and strong.  And maybe I'll be able to lose that pregnancy weight a little easier too.  Wish me luck (with everything!)

11th of 12 = Yo-yo

If the holiday season is enjoyed properly, then a little weight will be gained.  I did just that- enjoyed and gained weight, ha ha!  I was also able to shed it off again in November.  I was bummed that I wasn't going to earn all of my nativity for December, but then I realized I had earned 9 months, so I did earn 9 boxes of Willow Tree, woo hoo!  Now those 3 Santa's I bought through out the year were not earned, but who cares?  it's Christmas!!

We celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving in America, so let's celebrate American Thanksgiving in Canada

Leonard took the day off from work and the kids played hookie from school so we could celebrate Thanksgiving again!  We are thankful for:

Our home and how pretty it is;

Sweet potato casserole;

My family;

Home-made chocolate-chip cookies;

That I can read my Toy Story book;

That I can play on the computer;

 

That I can read & write my letters & numbers;

Dora & Boots;

My family taking such good care of me;

That I don't eat baby food anymore and I can enjoy this feast;

That I can still provide for my (large) family's needs;

New Star Wars movies being made;

Travelling home 3 times this year;

Wearing "skinny" jeans (although they might not fit after dinner,

ha ha!).

A little decor,

and a little food.

You show how thankful you are by how much food you fit on your plate!  (I had to get another plate for my pumpkin pie.)

Best photo of the night, Noé draining the last of the sparkling cider.  Love that Barbarian Princess!  Love my whole fam!!

Sneaky

Noé will sneak my camera, and then I'll find cute pictures like these on it.

(November)

Proof

that Teague is a tornado!  That boy can dump toy baskets, strip couches of their cushions, rip books off shelves, and move tables & chairs in no time at all- ugh!!

(November)

Crazy Hair

Noé's dance studio had Spirit Week.  Her class had Crazy Hair day!  I whipped her hair up into 6 little pump knots.

I convinced her to sleep in the knots and the next day she had HUGE curls.  This girl has A LOT of hair.  Love it!

Her zany dancemates.

(November)

Someone was good

Noé had been very helpful with her brothers, so for her Daddy-Daughter date, Len took her shopping.  The LaLaLoopsy Dolls were on sale for half price, so Noé scored one.  You deserve it sweetie!

(November)

The Beaters

are best for licking

 

and for getting great smiles! 

(Sometime in September)

Oh no, we've entered the TEENage!

Ha ha ha, happy 2013 everyone!