The Little Things

The other day I was helping Tyson with his homework. He had to color this "paper person" to look like him. He was supposed to draw him in his favorite clothes etc. He drew those big eyes with giant eyelashes, then drew the open mouth with the teeth. He then looked at his work and very proudly said "That is a great mouth!" He then showed me how the mouth in the picture was identical to his own. Love that kid!!

Project

In the past couple days I have really been out of my comfort zone. I was in a fabric warehouse looking for upholstery fabric and in home depot looking for a staple gun...not what I'm usually doing.

But here's why:

My kitchen chairs were filthy and nothing would get them clean! I finally decided I would tackle the job of recovering them.

One down...5 to go.

Don't fail me now!!

I have had my ins and outs with the world of beauty secrets. I have tried fancy and expensive make ups, shampoos, face washes and lotions. But really, nothing seemed to give the results that they claimed. My hair is still thin and flat, my skin is still lily white and blotchy and my make up looks far from Hollywood glam. But, the two "secrets" that I have always sworn by are 1) plenty of sleep and 2) washing off my make up before bed every night.

But lately, probably when I need these "beauty secrets" most, I have been slacking (not on the plenty of sleep...I'll never give that one up no matter how much my husband teases me).

In my 20+ years of wearing makeup, I have probably gone only about 10 days without washing it off before going to bed (I think I was told by a Mary Kay lady when I was a teenager that sleeping in makeup ages your skin 10 times faster or something). Well, this past year, right as I am hovering over my mid-thirties *gulp* I have gone to bed probably 1/4 of the nights WITH MY MAKEUP ON!! What is happening to me?! Does this mean that by this time next year I will look like I'm in my mid....forties?! Looks like I've gotta get back on track...

Thought I better post a picture that you can't see the wrinkles around my eyes:)

It's a New Year

One thing I love about January is the overwhelming sense that we all have a fresh start. All the troubles from the past year are washed away and we start new...we can do anything, right? Well, we have been setting resolutions, decluttering and trying to find ways to make this year better than the last.

Here's us starting the celebrations to ring in the new year

Here's Tyson's room after some cleaning and decluttering (as sad as it is to get rid of some great toys that the kids have grown out of, it feels so good to clear things out!!)Jordan tried out her new crimper and set some resolutions
(1. read 8 books 2. learn one hymn with both hands 3. Do the splits all the way down in all three positions)Kya go a new do and set some resolutions
(1. Perfect a bridge kickover 2. Memorize all multiplication facts to 12)

Tyson signed up for ice skating classes and set some resolutions
(1. Ride a bike without training wheels 2. Learn how to ice skate)

But the saddest thing about this new year, is that we had to take down Christmas:(

Christmas is over?!

How is Christmas over already?! Out of all the holidays, Christmas is the only one that is over before I'm ready to let it go!! I LOVE Christmas...and yes, my tree is still up:)

Christmas Eve Jammies
(I always try to do "Christmas-themed" pajamas because it makes for some awesome pictures!!)

Jordan finally got the Itouch she's been saving for...I don' t know that I've ever seen her so happy. She also got that chair she is sitting on, which Miley has "claimed" as hers.

One of Kya's gifts was a softball bat. I thought it was hilarious that she had absolutely no clue what it was until it was completely unwrapped:)Since Jordan got an Itouch, Mike changed the broken screen on his old Iphone and gave it to Kya and Tyson. Now they can all play. I'm not sure I like it!

A Christmas Eve Tradition

We love to bundle up and take the kids ice skating on Christmas Eve. It reminds me that some places in the world, people actually do need to wear jackets this time of year (seriously, it was 87 degrees in the car when we came out of the skating rink). This year Mike and I could actually skate without holding onto the kids. They were so brave!! Tyson has also informed me that he wants to take skating lessons and become a hockey player....we'll see.

Baking Day

Today we did nothing but bake...well, and watch a movie:) I am feeling so Christmassy!!

First we made Pulla (Tyson is OBSESSED with Pulla!!)

Then we made Candy Cane Cookies

Then it was time for Naniamo Bars

And finally Butter Tarts

Good think Mike got home in time to BBQ for dinner, because I was wiped out!

12 Years

Today is our 12th Anniversary!!

From our first date....

....to now!! We've come a LONG way!!

I had no idea when I got married, that I would be so blessed!
I love you Mike, and the sweet little family you have given me.