Gymnastics Star !

Today Arielle got to show us her stuff at a gymnastics "show off" day. She did such a great job and almost has that back handspring mastered. Great job Arielle!

Great Read

I just finished reading this Newbery Honor book with Toby & Arielle. We've been cozying up on the couch and reading a chapter or 2 a night. What a delightful book! Even though its a "junior" novel I would recommend this book to any adult. Its a quick read with a nice, uplifting theme. Makes you very grateful for family and a roof over your head, even my kids gleaned that from the book. It takes place in the winter in France- delightful touch of french vocabulary and scenery. If anyone else has a good family read chapter book they'd like to recommend, I'd love to hear it!

I Cry The Day I Take The Tree Down...

I wish this season could last all year long...Ok, I don't really cry, but it is kinda a let down 'cause I LOVE Christmas! I have had a wonderful long break from work and a great Christmas celebration with Jim, the kids & my family. We had a quiet Christmas Eve, ate tortellini soup and talked about the symbols of this time of year and watched The Nativity. Christmas morning the kids were stoked to find a new bike for Arielle and a guitar and shoes for Toby. We had a nice morning opening gifts then the kids ran around the neighborhood with their friends and checked out everyone's new loot. On the day after Christmas we went to my parents. We were there for 5 fun filled days...FAMILY...gifts...food...chuck e cheese...hogel zoo lights...sledding at Daybreak...girls' night of shopping & Twilight...COUSINS...Anna & Arielle BFF time (2 sleepovers)...ticket to ride game nights...Olive Garden traditional dinner with Meg & Sheaner...New Year's Eve goofing around (yes Ash I'm talking about you & I dancing ) and on and on... Jim and I even snuck in a night out for our anniversary celebration! That's right- amongst all the holiday chaos we celebrated 13 years of marriage! The spirit of Christmas, family and friends was burning bright. We are so thankful for Jesus Christ, good jobs, our health, our family, and great friends (just to name a few...). Now we have one more quiet weekend before we go back to the grind. Ready or not, 2009 is here! Happy New Year!!!

Goofing Around

Well- at the risk of embarrassment I'm going to post some yucky pics of myself..you have been warned! (when did my face get kidnapped and replaced with a chubby one?) ANYWAY- Sunday the kids were looking so fine in their Christmas duds that I warned them on the way to church that after church- I was going to take some pics! Of course AFTER church we were all a bit spent and Arielle's hair had gone haywire...but I snapped a few anyway. Our little 6 ft. tree is looking smaller & smaller all the time. The kids actually had to kneel in front of it this year so we could see the tree. Arielle is pictured here in front of our "Christmas Table". Since Teddy (our pup) tends to get on Santa's naughty list, we can't trust our wrapped presents to lay on the floor under the tree. They are put on the "Christmas Table". The last scary pic is really for my enjoyment only- sorry you have to endure it. This is part of my early morning running crew. On Monday we donned our Santa hats and ran around St. George. This picture was taken before our run (and basically right after we all woke up- hence my eyes weren't open yet) This is Shelly & Teresa pictured here with some scary lookin' chic... (they'll probably kill me if they see I posted this)

A December to Remember !

Well, here it is Dec. 21st already and thank goodness all my Christmas shopping is done! I'm ready to just kick back & enjoy the kids being on Christmas Break. (Wish I was on break from work too! I will work through Christmas Eve then take a week off) We're really looking forward to a quiet Christmas Eve & Christmas Day with our little family. Then on the 26th we'll head to Grandmom & Papa Lovelaces to spend a week. Here's a little recap of our busy December so far:

1. Arielle had 6 performances with the Bobcat Chorus all in less than 2 weeks- whew! What a schedule! They did a great job & were a joy to watch. I must admit, it got me to a Heritage Choir concert that I normally wouldn't have gone too. I REALLY enjoyed it and the spirit it added to the season.

2. Parties! Wish I'd brought my camera...hopefully some friends will email me pics so I can post. First the work party.. being a new employee with the state, apparently its a rite of passage to be on the "Holiday Planning Committee". So I made the invites for 50 people, helped decorate and arranged entertainment (invited a school choir to come sing) It was a pretty good time although I did feel like I was living in the movie Office Space or an episode of The Office!

Friend parties! Went went to a couple neighborhood parties that were a BLAST! The White Elephant exchange was SO MUCH FUN. Jim & I had a ball shopping at DI getting our stuff for the party. Some of the great items that showed up that night were: maxipad slippers, a buttface towel, a book of crafts you can do with pantyhose, a murse (man purse), rooster, giant decorative shell, "rhapsodies for lovers" album, and photoshopped pic of the Binghams. Yeah, it was a hoot! Hopefully pics to follow soon...

3. Toby had to make a magazine for school that was a knock off of a real magazine, but had him on the cover. He decided to do Transworld Skateboarding and Jim got some great pics of Toby getting some air in the driveway...like father like son! (if Jim has time to show me, I'll post the cover of the mag soon)

4. SNOW DAY- this past week St. George saw the most snow its seen in 10 years! They actually cancelled school one day. The kids had a ton of fun building snow men and playing with all their friends in the neighborhood park. Since I had to work I only got pics in the quiet morning on my way to work and none of the kids actually playing...(whaaa...)

Tues. I get to play Santa's helper in Colorado City handing out gifts to families out there. We also have a couple more friend & work get togethers this week. I hope to savor the season this week and remind my kids that JESUS CHRIST is the REASON for the season!

Wishing you all a fabulous Christmas!

Tree Lighting

Tonight Arielle's 3rd grade celebrated a Christmas Tree Lighting and sang a few carols at a local bank. Arielle has really enjoyed the time her teacher has spent teaching the children art. Each child made about 5 different ornaments for the tree, they got to use many mediums. They have spent lots of time on this at school and the tree looks great. Arielle has also really enjoyed singing this year. Besides preparing for this cute little performance she is also singing on her school chorus and getting ready to perform at the Tabernacle next week.

Soooo Thankful

The older I get the more I love the Thanksgiving holiday. I am overwhelmed with joy when I think of all the many many blessings in my life. I couldn't ask for a more wonderful family (immediate and extended). I'm also so thankful for our health and most importantly to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives. We had a very nice long weekend. Erin's fam had us over for some good food, rockband, card games, Fred Clause and an overall fun and relaxing day. Thanks guys! Friday morning I did brave the Walmart early morning chaos- something I hadn't done in years. Oh yeah... now I remember why I DON'T do it! It brings out the worst in humanity. Not worth saving a buck.. hopefully I'll remember that next year...LOL. Friday and Saturday Toby had the Dixie Invitational soccer tournament where teams from all over the west come play. He had 2 games each day ending with Toby's team taking 2nd overall in the tournament!! This was the end to his 3rd season on this great team. The coaches are wonderful volunteers who dedicate so much to the boys and most importantly teach them good sportsmanship. Go DIXIE FIRE- you rock!