A Toast...

Happy New Year 2009!

It's time to get back in the saddle again.  I started this blog with the idea it would be like my journal, and I'm quickly falling back into non- journal writing mode again. (Maybe because it takes me like 3 hours to post an entry--no lie.)  Once upon a time, I wrote in a book journal, but the last journal entry was in October 1998  when I had just found out I was pregnant with Hallie--followed by blank pages.  

So what's happened the last 10 years, you ask? Honestly, I don't really remember.  I think too much has happened, that it's all kind of a blur.  Obviously it hasn't been a priority in my life, and I want to change that.  I've been thinking a lot lately about what I've done in my life,  what I've taught my kids,  what I still want to teach them, and how they will remember their childhood when they grow up and move away.

 I want to teach them important things.  I want them to  be good people.  The fun stories, pictures, and bits of wisdom along the way will just be a bonus.  When they grow up and move away, I hope they have good memories and feel like their Mom and Dad did a pretty good job raising them.  Now I'm getting all teary-eyed and sentimental. 

So here's to me, a new year, a new goal, and hopefully a lot of new memories!  Cheers!

P.S- That glass totally has Martinellis Sparkling Apple Cider in it :)

Quote of the Day

Emily cracks me up!  She has said this before, but I was reminded of it this morning.  I asked if she had seen  something I was looking for, and she replied,  "Did you look in the butt-less pantry?"  Of course she meant "butler's pantry", but she says things like she hears 'em sometimes. I'm still laughing when I think about it.

Picnik

I found the coolest thing!   It's called "Picnik" and it's kind of like photoshop, but not as advanced (right up my alley).  I've taken some "ok" pictures, and done some awesome things with them.   It's a free program and you can download it on www.picnik.com.  

Just look at this picture of me and Dylan from this summer- I still like the original,  but I also turned it into an old fashioned looking postcard.  

I already have the condensed version of Photoshop that doesn't do a whole lot,  and confuses me when I try to use it.  Someday,  I'd like to get the REAL photoshop....but until then,  I shall Picnik..  

Family Photo Shoot 2008

Hooray - more pictures from our  photo shoot with Shawni!   I'm totally excited to get these printed and framed.  We haven't had  pictures taken of our family since Hallie was 2 or 3.  Tragic, I know...I'd say it was about time!  Here are some of my favorites :

Facebook

Well, after hearing all kinds of people talk about Facebook, Mike and I finally joined today.  I can see how people can get addicted to it.  I don't think I'll be one of those- but it IS fun to find people you haven't seen forever.  

FYI- I'm trying to figure out how to put video on this blog.  There are some "gems" from the latest "Talent Show".   I think others might be entertained by my kids- they're all total hams!  Stay tuned!

Dylan

Since Dylan kind of got cheated in the picture department of my last post, he gets his very own. We had family pictures taken a few weeks ago by my friend, Shawni, and these were my favorite of Dylan.  It's amazing she got some good shots of him, he was being stinker.  Good thing he is such a handsome little guy-love him!

Thanksgiving Weekend

Enjoying our dinner-Hallie set the table, too bad you can't see how great it looked in this picture!

I really like Thanksgiving...and I was really looking forward to THIS Thanksgiving for a couple of reasons:

1.  The delicious food.  I needed some treats, and I was totally feeling the urge to make it all.  I enjoy cooking for holidays, I'm not one of those people who stresses about it.  

2. For the past few years my parents have come and spent Thanksgiving with us, and it's always nice to have them here-but, to top it off, they  were nice enough to stay a few extra days so Mike and I could get away for the weekend (we went to Cabo).

3. I can put up all my Christmas decorations (my favorite!)

4.  The kids put on their annual "Greding Family Talent Show"  (my other favorite!)

A couple weeks ago, I was  feeling totally stressed out- I had a lot of projects I was trying to organize, I was doing this retarded diet, the kids were  getting to me, and I felt like I was going to go insane.  I told Mike I felt like Marie Osmond, and I wanted to just take off and  be alone for a little while (remember, she left her kids with a babysitter and vanished for a few days).  So he secretly talked to my mom and dad, and then booked us a quick trip to Cabo for the weekend.  (Yeah, he does great things like that, lucky, aren't I?)  We basically laid by the pool and lounged on the beach for 2 days, enjoying being just the two of us.  It was nice.  I still missed my babies, though!  They make me crazy, but it's hard to be away from them.  I'm SO thankful for my parents for being willing to watch them so we could get away.  The kids had Grandma and Grandpa totally exhausted by the time we got home on Monday!

The pool area

The view from our room

That night, for Family Home Evening, we had the famous Talent Show.  Always entertaining.  Hallie totally gets the award for "Best Costume Designer".  My favorite was the reindeer antlers she made for her and Emily...and then secured them directly to Emily's head with TAPE and BOBBYPINS (see photo of a closeup of Em's head).   It was hilarious and ingenious.  She also made a cotton ball beard for Spencer (I mean, Santa) also using tape, and a padded suit.  Hallie is always coming up with great crafty ideas...watch out, Martha!

Santa Claus is coming to town!