Happy New Year!

Better late than never. I am off to a slow start this year, I hope I catch up. Anyway, here is to a fresh start, resolutions and goals for 2009. We actually went out for New Year's Eve this year. We took the kids to dinner at a new restaurant that opened near the house, Sekisui. It is a typical hibachi type Japanese Steak House. Eddie and I have tried almost every one in town and our favorite is still Benihana. Then we saw "Bedtime Stories" with Adam Sandler. We really liked it and the kids did pretty good. I think this is only the second movie we have been to since Danielle was born. Quite a change from when Brian was a baby, and until Emily was about a year old. We used to go to movies once or twice a week!


So here are my goals for 2009...


1. Teach our children more about the gospel.

2. Obtain a 3-month food storage for our family.

3. Keep up with this blog.

4. Continue to eat healthy meals, and stop drinking coke.

5. Spend more time doing family things: reading together, eating together, playing games, going camping, and enjoying the outdoors.

Christmas

We made our annual trek to Denver this year to visit my family. I was especially excited because my Grandma Schaper was going to be there this year. She was looking forward to meeting and holding her new great-granddaughter, Danielle. Our trip out was mostly uneventful. We stopped in Tulsa for dinner at Chipolte. :) We spent the night in Salina, and headed for Denver about 9am. Unfortunately Brian was having some intestinal troubles, or maybe kidney stone issues, and we had to make many pit stops in the little towns in Kansas. By the time we got to metro Denver, it was just in time for 5pm Friday evening rush hour traffic. UGH, once again I am reminded how much I love living in Little Rock, with no traffic.

We did some fun things while we were there. We got our family pictures taken, the kids made an animal at Build a Bear. Shopping and eating were of course on the agenda. We even went to Park Meadows Mall the Saturday before Christmas. What was I thinking? There were more cars in the parking lot there than in all of Little Rock! We spent the day with Steve and Erin at their house in CO Springs. The kids got extra time to play with their cousins, Kaitland and Logan. They played great together and had a wonderful time. They had yummy snacks, and and wonderful dinner. Thanks guys!

Kaitland and Emily dressed up like princesses

Logan and Brian were playing dinosaurs (I think)


All of the kids together

Grandma Schaper got into Denver on Christmas Eve, so I got free time to wrap and do other stuff while she held Danielle. Everybody loved it. Brian wrote a note to Santa on Christmas Eve, and left cookies for him and carrots for the reindeer.

Our matching P.J.'s

Steve and Erin and the kids came to mom's Christmas morning. We opened presents, in a somewhat orderly fashion this year. We played, we ate, we played, we visited, we ate, and played some more. A typical Christmas for our family. I love it that our kids get to see "Grammie" and the rest of my family, it is such a special time of year.

Uncle Steve and Danielle

Mother nature cooperated very well for our travels. They were no weather issues, and the roads were clear during our travels. But Mother nature didn't provide a white Christmas, so the kids didn't get to play in the snow or go sledding. They were a little disappointed about that. Maybe next year.

Grandma Schaper with all of her great-grandchildren

I Am Thankful For...

Cheap Gas! I filled up the minivan for $20.00 yesterday. Gas prices are about $1.40 in Little Rock right now. I cannot remember when gas was this cheap. It has definitely helped with the finances, and made our road trip to Denver for Christmas more affordable.

I Am Still Thankful but...

I have been busy and have been sick. I had been trying very hard to avoid the cold bug that the rest of my family has been carrying around, but I lost over the weekend. So tis the season, I am busy, and now I am sick.

Well this brings me to the next thing I am thankful for. Health! I hate being sick and I feel so sorry for my little ones when they are sick. It is no fun. I am so grateful that my family is healthy and happy. Hopefully I will be able to get my 25 Thankful posts before the end of the year.

PIGGY TAILS

We have been doing Emily's hair like this...

Since she had enough hair to put it up in a little pony tail. Here is one of the first little pony tails...

But then for Halloween, I did her hair like this...

Because that is how princesses do their hair. Eddie really likes it this way, but it isn't very practical, it falls out very easily. So the other day, I wanted to try Piggy Tails. Her hair is long enough that I thought it would stay up pretty well.


Aren't they soooooo CUTE? They don't stay as well as I thought they would. And this is what they look like when you get up from a nap.

And this is how Emily usually looks after a nap too...kinda grumpy

I Am Thankful for...

Sundays. I love Sundays. I like to think of Sundays as the beginning of the week, not the end. It is a great day to relax, go to church, reflex on the past week, and plan for the next week. The Sabbath is thought of as the day of rest, and for me it is also a day to recharge, not only the physical, but the spiritual batteries as well. If I miss church, I feel a void and often my week is not as good. We definitely need a Sunday each week!

I Am Thankful For...

music, even though I cannot carry a tune, play a musical instrument, or even dance to the beat. I really enjoy singing and listening to music. I love to attend musical performances like rock concerts, Broadway Musicals, or even my son's church and school performances. I appreciate the talents of others who have a wonderful singing voice, or can make beautiful music on the piano, violin, or drums. I love different types of music too. I grew up on rock and roll, I have learned to like country music, and love church hymns. Each week at church I love being able to worship through song. Singing the hymns in sacrament meeting is my favorite part of church. I also love children's songs in primary too. My favorite part of primary is singing time. I even play the children's primary songs in the car. Music is the perfect way for the spirit to touch my heart. Music makes me smile, it makes me cry, and it helps when you are having a rough day. Christmas is the perfect time of the year, I get to listen to Christmas music at home, at the office, in the car, and while shopping. We get to sing the Christmas hymns in sacrament and during primary. I am grateful for all of the music the fills my life.