New Camera

For Christmas (sorta) we bought a new camera. It is really an incredible camera and does alot. It is one of those cameras that you threaten the kids that if they touch it all their fingers will be broken lol. Jimmy really got some great pics of the girls at their soccer game last week and I am sure we will get some more tonight. Its great to get such close pics and be in the stands, I can only imagine how great they will be when we are only on the sidelines. It also has a stand and timer so next year we can get our Christmas picture done earlier because I won't need to con someone to come take it *yeah right*. I am starting to get the hang of it but Jimmy does much better with it so far. It even takes black and white photos which I think is so totally cool, I love black and white photos. We even paid for the extra insurance since with 6 kids you never know what will happen and it isn't one of those wal-mart specials that we normally get.

I loved taking the camera to Jillians first band concert and it would have taken great pics if she hadn't been behind the tubas (go figure) so most of her pictures are just one half of her. I mean the tuba is bigger than she is!

Hopefully soon I will get some pics on the blog for you to see. I know, you are waiting with baited breath (was that spelled right?) Oh well.

Resolutions

There are so many things I would like to resolve myself to do in the next year, but part of me realizes that most of them won't ever really get done. Still, I make them in my head and not on paper so as to not completely disappoint myself come next December 31.

1. I want to read the Book of Mormom through again, and not wait until November to do it.
2. I want to lose weight, don't ask how much, and get into shape so I can keep up with not only my kids but my husband.
3. I want to be a more patient mother, wife, daughter of God
4. I want to bring my wii fit age down to my actual age
5. I want to be able to go on the youth trek in April and not die in the process
6. I want to better organize my finances and my home
7. I want to get better at our blog, since I have no knowlegde on what I am doing

I could take up a hundred pages with the wants but these seem actually doable in my future.

What are some of your resolutions?

SO FUN

We had such a busy and fun month! Jordyn turned 9 and had a puppy party. We made bone cookies to decorate and the girls wore puppy ears and made necklaces and ate hot dogs wrapped in croissants.

AND THEN! We had a snow day. Yes, a snow day in Las Vegas. The kids ran around outside making snowmen and playing until they were frozen. Good thing we have a fireplace or every jacket they own would have needed dried.




Jessica decided to make some candy from scratch for Christmas and everyone who tried it loved it. In fact, she had to make more so dad could take them to work on Christmas Eve.

Christmas really could not have been better, with family around and watching the kids tear through gifts. It definitely looked like the Christmas tornado hit our house. I wouldn't have it any other way.

We all then loaded in the car and headed for San Diego to visit yet more family. We were able to see alot of family that we don't get to see very often.

Most of the Christmas cards got out (still waiting on some addresses) so I think we did ok.

I think the best part of the month is the special feeling you get by constantly remembering and celebrating our Saviour, His birth, life and resurrection. To hear your kids tell you that it isn't about santa or presents but about Him. I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father and what was done for us so we can eventually one day return to Him.

Now we wait for the new year and the many changes to take place. My teens are going separate ways this year and mom and dad will be hanging with the young'uns as it should be. What, you thought we would venture downtown - Don't make me laugh.

Thanksgiving

We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. Although we were less some family members we really wished would have been around we enjoyed being with the family we could be with here in town. The weekend was a lazy one basically if you don't count Johnston falling, hitting his head and ending up with the flu right after lol. We were able to get alot of stuff done around the house that has been waiting to be done and I even did ALOT of shopping for Christmas on saturday before the JT incident. Saturday night Jessica, Jeana and I went to see Twilight. I have to admit, I wasn't exactly dying to see it. I mean, I had read to books and they were really good but the movie seemed so tweeny and well... I'm not lol. It was really good despite and I think I enjoyed the time with my girls more than the movie. It is so fun, the conversations we have when it is just us and the inside jokes we end up with. As much as I miss them being small I am having fun with them at this age too. Of course, hormones are always around, but this year it seems to take a back seat to fun.

Blog Title Block

I have alot to talk about. I have gotten on our blog tons to post. I have even begun the writing. So why, do you ask, have I not posted? I couldn't think of a title. I know totally odd! I guess when you read alot of blogs and see how cute they all are and the writing is fantastic it makes you wonder why you even do it. I finally realized that I do it for me. I love using this blog to put things online that I could forget later. It is also a great way to keep our family who doesn't live near updated on us. So, when the titles start getting boring and just restating the obvious, know I am trying lol.

Well, the news on the soccer front is good. Firstly, Jessica and Jeana both made the EHS JV soccer team YAY!! We are so excited! I don't know which excites me more, them on the team or that they are on the same team and play at 4:30 instead of varsitys 3:00 which would not work with my kid pick up schedule. We just finished our season of league this past saturday. Jeana got her first yellow card, ok the other girl started it but Jeana did not back down. Since Jillian received her first yellow card last season we told Jessica that she needs to get one in HS soccer so they all have one. J/K!! I know that yellow cards are not a good thing but we figure when you get a yellow card it tells you how far you can go and is nothing to cry about. At least they didn't head butt anyone! (see zidane in professional soccer) Jillian didn't get to play friday or saturday since her ankle was acting up and dad said no way. Yay for dad being dad and not just coach hehe. She was very upset to miss them but I think she understands why we said no. Celtics received 2nd place in the tournament and Ohana 3rd. It was a fun season and since it didn't get really cold until the last week we parents were psyched! The whole week was soccer between tournament week and the girls trying out for hs soccer. Monday, Jeana bumped into (really hard) a girl on her team and now has a loose tooth (permanent) and we are trying to save it. Now we are getting ready to plan the end of year party for Jimmys team and Jordyns birthday party. I am excited for both.

We rented Batman Lego and Indiana Jones Lego from blockbuster for the Wii. James and Johnston were in heaven and couldn't wait to get things done so they could play. James even cleaned his room, way above my expectations, in order to play. It is a cute game and I think they just about mastered it in the couple days we had it. Poor mom couldn't even get it onto the second player (I am so game challenged).

I am in the process of thinking of things to put on my Christmas wish list, which Jimmy is demanding or I can't get him anything. It is really hard. I have everything I want or could ever need. I can't believe how incredibly happy I am. Yes, sometimes things get rough and frustrating, however; I can't think of anything I would change. OK maybe my weight but unfortunately they don't have a magical Christmas gift for that hehe. I did say I wanted a treadmill but he refused saying that it would get him into trouble and he would be sleeping on the couch. So What are all your wishes for Christmas? I think my biggest wish is that my dad will get better and that our family will be safe and have the true meaning of Christmas in our home. What is yours (temporal things included).

Best $50 every spent

What a busy couple of days! Sunday morning Jimmy woke to the computer opening and closing its cd door *doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo*. Unfortunately, it meant our computer had had it and thus the crash began. Hoping that we could somehow fix the problem I called our handy dandy Dell computer people and they did a blue screen test that was suppose to last only 2 hours. 9 hours later and the computer still isn't working. Long story short (too late right) we had to completely do a system restore and put it back the way it came from the factory. Normally I would freak because I just know all those pictures aren't backed up on a cd and the other stuff, who knows, however; lucky for us, I heard of Carbonite and ordered it. This thing stores your stuff online and with one click I was able to start restoring all of our documents, pictures etc back to our computer. Whew! Another tragedy avoided. All this while celebrating Johnston's birthday and having a tooth pulled, life is good.

Growing Boy

I can't believe that in 6 short days Johnston will be 4 yrs old! I see him growing and learning but I am just not ready I guess. Of course we are still having the whole potty training issues, however; if that got resolved I guess he could stay this age forever and I would be ok with that. Our kids get to pick what we have for dinner on their birthday and he chose pancake puffs but it sounds so much cuter when he says it. Luckily for our extended family his party the day before will be a barbecue not pancakes. We love pancakes but not sure everyone else would like them as much hehe. He is funny though, JT keeps saying he isn't going to be 4 and doesn't want to be 4 but can't wait to open presents and blow out his candles "all by himself". Everything he sees on the tv is something he "needs", good thing Christmas isn't far off. I have to say it has been a joy watching him grow the last 3 almost 4 yrs and I am excited to see what the future holds for him.