Annie

It was just one of those nights...mid week, tired and no energy left by the time I was supposed to make dinner.  So we decided to head out and grab a bite.  When lizzy came down the hall I couldn't help but laugh.  She had a costume wig on, sunglasses and her boots and striking a pose.  The whole reason I am posting this is because I always want to remember how spunky and creative she is.  She is our little rock star with a heart of gold.  The first one to be there to help and always making people smile.  So how could I tell her to take it off? :)  Love this girl!!

I wanted to put this in because Joe always dodges my pictures :)

Santa

Our church had their yearly Christmas party and the kids had the chance to see Santa!  For some reason I missed taking Emily's picture with him...but does it make it up if I took her picture while the primary sang? :)

Blessings

Since I am using this as kind of a family journal/photo album I really wanted to include this story.  There are blessings every day in our lives and I rarely take the time to write them down.  I had been training for a half marathon for the past few months and all had been going great.  The week before the race I came down with a virus that just had me tired and nauseous.  I decided on Friday that I was going to run that race even if I fell over dead of exhaustion at mile two.  I needed the Lord's help though.  Joe and Angelo gave me a blessing on Friday night.  That morning I when we ran the race in 5-12 degree temps, I felt amazing.  There were little pains here and there in my muscles but not once did I feel weak or nauseous.  I felt amazing and I know it is all because of my Heavenly Father.  I am so so grateful!  I hope I can remember this event and how he helped me to complete something that was important to me.  Running with great friends, having my husband, kids and best friend at the finish line made it the perfect day.  So so grateful!

Christmas Fun

Today we made gingerbread houses with our snow day.  The temps were at around 5 degrees outside so we stayed nice and warm inside :). And I finally remembered to post a picture of the tree...

Christmas Tree Time

On Saturday we went up to the mountains to hunt down a live Christmas tree.  We had so much fun hiking through the snow, sledding, lunch and hot cocoa with some great friends.  Just an incredible day to enjoy the beauty that God has given us and such amazing people in our lives.
On a side note when we got home the tree was taller then the garage.  I guess our eyes are bigger then our house! :)  After a good little trim we now have a Charlie Brown tree.  I will post pictures after we decorate for Family Home Evening tonight.

Thanksgiving Turkey Trot

Some friends put on a turkey trot to "Exercise before you glutonize" :).  There was a 1 mile run and a 5k.  Lizzy and Jackson (with Daddy) ran the 1 mile and Emily and I did the 5k.  This was Emily's first 5k and she did awesome!  The Smith's put together a great family event with prizes and all.  What a great way to start a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Now I have no idea where Joeand Jackson were hiding when we took this but I promise they were there! :)
I have to say that we are so blessed to have such an amazing family, even though we do not live close, we are surrounded by their love.  We are also blessed to have such amazing friends in our lives!  God has been so good to us and we cannot thank Him enough.

Thanksgiving Break

Once the chores were done, we decided to head to the Children's Museum in Pueblo for some fun.  The kids had a great time making snowmen, building a fort and just creating to their hearts content.

The snow is here!

Not long after I finished texting my cousin that we missed our chance at snow (she lives up in Denver and had already gotten some), did we get a nice batch down our way!  Most times it seems like there is an invisible wall just below Colorado Springs.  It can be snowing and storming up that way and here we get nothing.  So this was wonderful!  The kids were up and ready to play in it but I took advantage of that motivation and had them do their chores first ;).  Then we headed off to the High School for some sledding.  Mind you I hate playing in the snow, I do it once a year for the kids and that is all they get but sledding is a different story.  Just plain old fun.

Jackson hiked this hill over and over and loved it.

Career Day

Thursday was Career Day at school.  The kids thought long and hard and this is what they came up with.  Jackson wants to be a Marine, Lizzy a Model and Emily a Veterinarian.  Joe is started to plant the bug of Air Force for Emily because if she goes into a Medical field that will sure help! :)

My favorite cookie cooking tip

So when I first met my soon to be brother in-law, he came in with a big plate of yummy chocolate cookies.  The best part, he made them himself and they were cooked to perfection!  Now I did worry a pinch here (just kidding Chuck! ;).  Anyways, I asked what the secret was as I am an awful cook and my cookies always have crisp edges.
The secret was.......take them out just before they are done and let them sit on the warm pan for another 5 minutes.  Such a great trick and has worked every time!

Our Little Wrestler

So Jackson has decided to give wrestling a try this year.  He has practice twice a week and can attend weekend tournaments if he wants.  He went to his second tournament today.  Joe is taking the lead on this sport because I have such a hard time watching my sweet boy get toughened up.  He really likes it though!

Arf!

Lizzy was able to be a part of the 3rd grade production of Arf! at her school.  She played the part of Poodle-aycious, a sassy snobby pink poodle.  It was hilarious and she pulled it off.  We all agree she belongs on the stage but boy was she nervous!

Marble Jar Date Night

We are trying out a new system in our house that has come highly recommended from some super great moms...the marble jar.  For various tasks and chores the kids can earn marbles.  They can also reward their siblings with marbles or get them taken away by Mom and Dad for a poor attitude.  Once the jar is full they can choose money or a date with Mom or Dad.  Miss Lizzy filled her jar and who was lucky enough to be chosen for a date but ME!!!  We had a fantastic little date going to see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.

Happy Halloween!

Well we made it through another crazy holiday.  The kids had a blast though and I am so thankful for the town we live in and the school the kids go to.  Our church Trunk or Treat party was on the 25th and the kids had a night of friends, candy, hay rides, dancing and so much fun.

They also got to dress-up at school and do Halloween parties and a parade which started off the Halloween fun.  After that we headed to the local Parks and Rec Halloween party where they played games and worked hard to win the coveted soda prize.  After that was all done we hit the streets where the kids loaded up on candy.  We finished off the night at McAllister's because they were offering free kids meals to kids in costumes.  Couldn't beat that!  At first we were thinking 50 cent corn dogs at sonic but truly McAllister's was way better!  Hope everyone had a great Halloween!!

Finally getting into the new apps

So I decided that the time I sit waiting in the pickup line should be used for something more productive like blogging.  Sure enough, after a two second search I found a mobile app and now I am going to give it a go.  Don't mind my many spelling errors though because sometimes it is so tedious to go back and correct all my fat finger mistakes :).

So where to start???  The latest in our home was the addition of a yellow lab named Sadie.  The kids are in love with her and joe and I have started to love her too ;).  She is quirky and mellow for the most part with some seriously sharp puppy teeth. She was born June 23rd and we got her when she was 7 weeks old.

Bringing home the puppy

At her new home, Sadie 7 weeks

Sadie 3 months old