2009, a look back.

Christmas 2009
The most beautiful girls in town! :)
A night out... so much fun!
The girls and I were all alone with no power when we got a wonderful
Surprise visit!!!
Trick or treating with family!
Ava, finally potty trained!
4th of July 2009.
Walking to the beach from our new property in Brookings, OR.
The Redwood National forest
Finally finished out koi pond!
Another date, all alone. :)
Bailey when she was just a pup.
Snow day!
Madeline lost both front teeth on the same night!
Best friends!


I am not even sure I can quite remember the beginning of 2009... Let me think back.... I just started my anatomy and physiology class, and believe it or not, I just finished it a few weeks ago. Almost one whole year of studying the human body. I have learned some very interesting things, and I am excited to one day apply my knowledge to nursing. I have been busy, as always, studying, being a mom, helping out with Madeline's various activities, being a wife and taking care of the house and animals. Speaking of animals, we did get Bailey this year in March 2009. She has been a good fit for out family.... unlike little Piper. LOL

When I think about what I should be doing or how I should be acting, I think about how I know that I should be focusing on me just a little, but that will come in time. When I do get some down time it is nice to just spend time together as a family, that's what life is all about right? Plus, it is easy to do since I am married to my very best friend. :)

Just as I was starting to feel like things were getting a touch easier earlier this year managing three kids, another hurdle was thrown in my path. Chris' mom got sick, we were having her live here, and the we did all the cleaning/ remodeling of her condo. This was one of the most trying things I have done. No other saying can fit this situation "You never know what someone else is going through until you walk a mile in their shoes". Chris and I stayed strong through the whole process, and in the end we grew even closer together. I swear though, sometimes I feel so old for being as young as I am. I feel like I should be close to 50, not 30... Not body old, just my experiences with life.

In July we bought our property in Brookings Or. I cannot even tell you how excited I am to move there. The people are wonderful, the schools are great, the land beautiful, and the environment is healthy and clean (in more ways than just air quality!). Madeline dreams of having horses, and just maybe when we move there we will get her one. We have some family that lives in and around Brookings so it will also be nice to see them more often. I am counting down the years....

Lucy and Ava started pre-school in August, and they have been loving every day of it. They have learned so much already and I am just so excited to watch and help them learn. Whoever knew that being a mom could be so much fun?

My little Madeline continues to excel in school. She is soooo smart, it amazes me. She is still playing soccer, though now it is indoor. Her team is great and they have remained undefeated!! It's funny that we usually tell our kids to share and be nice and respectful, but in soccer it is just the opposite. We are always telling her, "take the ball away", or "don't be afraid to be aggressive". Madeline is a very good soccer player, especially for her size.

I don't know about the rest of you, but the holidays this year have come and gone sooooo quickly. I still can't believe that 2010 will be here in just a few short hours. So, what are my goals for 2010? Well, I am not a real goal kind of girl, but this year I hope to continue to do well in school, (and hopefully by this time next year I will be writing that I was accepted to the nursing program!), I hope to continue and build our wonderful family bond, I hope to achieve a few financial goals, I hope to build upon a few friendships of those people who bring joy to our life, and most importantly I want to continuing enjoying life.

Above are a few of my favorite photos or times that we have had.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Lucy and Ava on their big girl bikes

Lucy and Ava both got big girl bikes for Christmas. I knew Ava wanted one, but I wasn't so sure about Lucy. But how could I get Ava a bike and not Lucy? If I didn't get her one, she would have wanted one for sure. Anyway, Ava loves her bike, and Lucy? Not so much....

Sunrise

Did anyone else notice this beautiful sunrise this morning?

Merry Christmas!!!

Santa came!
Madeline ran downstairs so fast to see if Santa had come
she didn't even give me a hug or kiss! LOL
The girls were a bit slower making downstairs.



This clock was by surprise this Christmas from Chris. He bought this clock
in July, and was able to hide it until now! This is a handmade clock made by
a person in his fire department. We almost bought in July, but come to find
out, Chris e-mails back and forth to her were fake so that he could surprise
me on Christmas day... I certainly was surprised!


Christmas seemed to take so long to get here until about 2 weeks ago, then suddenly it felt like Christmas day was here! It's hard to believe that Christmas will be over soon and we will be starting a new year. We have so many things to look forward to in this coming year.
Anyway, we had such a great day today. Chris made it home by 6:45 from the fire station and we were able to relax had have a cup of coffee together before the girls came running downstairs. Madeline was more excited this year than I have ever seen her. The girls came downstairs a bit mystified about Santa having been here. We unwrapped most of the presents and had an easy morning.
Later that morning Chris' mom came over and so did my dad and his girlfriend. Then after the girls nap we went to my mom's house for dinner. Over all it was a long day, but a good day. :)

Christmas Eve

This is what happened when Lucy tried to walk in Chris turnouts.
All the kids discovered this magnifying glass used to look at maps before
going on calls. Of course the kids didn't think it was very fun to look at the
maps, but it was fun to make your face look big and funny looking!
and of course, the cookies for Santa.... Yum. ;-)


Today I had the pleasure of going to Christmas eve service at our church with all three girls. Normally Madeline stays with Chris and I, and Lucy and Ava go to their "school". But tonight, with Chris working at the fire station, it was just the girls and I in church since "school" was not open for the twins. It was quite the challenge to keep Lucy and Ava quiet during the service. When the band started playing Lucy decided that she would dance up and down the isles. LOL Ava wanted to jump up and down on the pews, and Lucy insisted on yelling at me because she thought I couldn't hear over all the "noise". Towards the end of the service they did end up settling down a bit.... In all honestly though, as hard as it is, I am just ever so grateful that I go to such a wonderful church, that I have three beautiful children, and that I found my best friend, my husband, to spend the rest of my life with. What more could a girl ask for?
After church we went to Chris' fire station for a wonderful fire house Christmas meal; prime rib, potatoes, green bean casserole, salad, and bread. It was great to be able to spend Christmas eve together as a family, and thankfully, there were no calls during our entire visit. When we got home, almost 2 hours past the girls bedtime, we set out out cookies and milk for Santa. I can't wait to see the girls faces tomorrow morning when they come downstairs. Not only will Santa have been here, but Chris will be home too. :)

Christmas parties

Music Charlie came to visit at Lucy and Ava's preschool today.
They had so much fun rockin' out to his music! I love music Charlie!

Madeline was beyond thrilled to have Lucy and Ava visit her in her
classroom on her class party day. Lucy and Ava had fun too. We
made hand prints wreaths and Christmas tress out of sugar cones.


Madeline and Delaney... best friends
Look at Ava's tongue! I love it, she was so focused!

I had fun playing around with this new photo editing program from Picasa. I was going to send out this Christmas card this year, but after I had (50!) copies printed, I realized the photos were too small. Oh well....
I have the cutest idea for our Christmas 2010 card already! But you are going to have to wait one whole year to see it! :)

Riding bikes

The girls love to have bike races in the front yard, and of course, Maddie always wins. Nevertheless, the have fun doing it and they burn off lots of energy in the process. Look at how cute they are!