New Year's Eve 2012

Today I am playing catch up on the blog.  Today feels like the first day I have had off since being sick that I didn't have a to do list a mile long.  I came home from work and the kids let me sleep a couple of hours.  They are enjoying their break from school.  They have been listening to music, watching TV, playing with their toys, dancing & playing nicely together.  Morgan has a project for school we have to work on later this afternoon.

Here is the list of post I am catching up on today.  (Some of these post are just pictures)

12-10-12

12-11-12

12-12-12

12-14-12

12-15-12

12-16-12

12-17-12

12-18-12

12-19-12

12-20-12

12-22-12

12-23-12, 12-23-12

I still have to catch up on all the Christmas celebrations, but hopefully I can do that later tonight or tomorrow.


I very seldom make New Year's Resolutions because usually they don't last long anyways.  I am looking forward to several things in 2013 though.  Here is a short list....

*Warmer weather so I can start running again.  I don't like running when it is cold because I FREEZE to death, plus my smokers lungs don't breathe well when its cold.

*Getting back into the hospital setting.  I miss working at the hospital more then I imagined I would.  I have started putting applications in, but I have some places/things in mind I want to strive for.  I can't wait to see where I will go in my career this year.  I love being a nurse & helping people on a daily basis.  I am just ready to get back into the hospital.

*Celebrating our 1 year anniversary.

*Family Vacation or vacations.  We are still talking about our plans for the year.  We have two different ideas, but haven't officially decided yet.  We have talked a lot about taking the kids to Disney & the ocean for a week.  I have always wanted to take the kids, but I wanted them to be old enough to enjoy themselves & remember it.  We may wait another year or two until they are all a little older so we can enjoy it more....but we aren't 100% sure.  If we decide not to go to Disney this year we are going to let each kid pick a place they want to go for the weekend & do 5 short weekend trips.  The kids have already started making a list.

*Going back to school.  I want to get my Bachelor's degree soon so eventually I can go back to become a Nurse Practitioner.  This has always been a dream of mine & someday I will make it come true.  I was only planning on taking a year off from school before going back, but decided to wait a little longer until the time was right for our family.

*Hopefully keep up with my blog better.  I did better in 2012 then I did any other year, but I want to keep up better...and not have to do so many catch up entries.

2012 was a good year for our family....hoping 2013 is even better.  I am looking forward to making lots of memories.

Christmas Eve Eve

Tonight was the first night the kids had seen presents under the tree. They were trying to figure out what was in each package. They were surprised there were no name tags on the gifts this year. Each kids has a different wrapping paper...

Buddy & Snowflake decided to hang out with the hermit crabs today.

Bobby & Morgan decided to give each other tattoo's with Morgan's new tattoo machine she got from her daddy for Christmas.

Gingerbread House

The kids were excited to get home to make their Gingerbread House. They made it all by themselves & did a great job.

DIY Christmas Present

We decided to go help mom today. She was planning to build the girls bunk beds for their American Girl dolls for Christmas. We headed to my grandparents to build them in my grandpa's building.

The first one took forever, but after they figured it out they started going quicker. We ended up getting 2 of the girls finished before we ran out of wood & my body ran out of energy. We will finish the other 2 after Christmas dinner on Monday. They turned out really cute. Mom is making bedding for each bed also.

Hungry Elves

The elves ended up in the pantry this morning. I guess they were hungry.

Buddy & Snowflake Found The Lego's

The elves found the Lego's and decided to do a little building last night.

In Memory of Sandy Hook Elementary

Christmas At School

Tomorrow is the kids last day of school before Christmas break. My mom or grandma always make something for Morgan & Spencer's teachers for Christmas. They have done this every year since Morgan started school. This year grandma made the gifts & they are adorable. The kids got the bagged up & ready to take to school tomorrow.

Spencer is hoping he is able to go back to school tomorrow. He doesn't want to miss his Christmas party. He has been out the last two days with some type of funk. I've cant seem to get rid of it in our house. They keep passing it around. He has been coughing and had a low grade fever Sunday & Monday. He was mad because I wouldn't let him go to school today. He will be fever free for 24 hours at 4:30pm. If he stays fever free he will go back tomorrow.

Buddy & Snowflake's Tree Decorations

Buddy & Snowflake found the kids underwear & decided to decorate the tree with them. The kids didn't think it was too funny.

Buddy & Snowflake Partying

Buddy & Snowflake had a party at our house last night. They put streamers on all the kids doors while they were sleeping. They also put streamers on the Christmas tree & built a zip line across our living room. They had streamers having from their arms so the kids were able to "help" them zip line across the living room. They are having a blast with them today.

We finished our Christmas shopping last night! I hope all the kids are happy with their presents. This year it was extremely hard to find the right gifts. They didn't ask for a whole lot & they are at a hard age to buy for. Toys are almost a thing of the past at our house. They are all growing up way too fast and each year they get harder to buy for.

Painting Christmas Ornaments

We made our ornaments HERE.

Since all the kids are here this weekend we painted our ornaments. The kids did a great job painting.

Harley's Ornaments

Haylee's Ornaments

Spencer's Ornaments

Morgan's Ornaments

Gracie's Ornaments

All the ornaments drying

The ornaments are now hung on ribbon in the dining room.

Mom is coming up to spend the night tonight & watch the kids so we can attend Bobby's work Christmas party. Afterwards we have to finish Christmas shopping. I hope we are able to finish tonight. It has been stressful this year due to the fact I was off work 13 days without pay.

Candy

Tonight we are having a small potluck at work with finger foods. I made a plate of candy to take. I had to double all my bathes so I could leave a plate at the house for everyone to eat. I will post recipes soon!

Strike

Buddy & Snowflake are on strike & kids are grounded from electronics until the bad behavior stops at our house. The kids are at each other throats & can't look at each other without fighting.  I will NOT put up with this behavior because they know how to behave.

Buddy & Snowflake

Buddy & Snowflake had to warm up in a hot bubble bath after their trip back to the North Pole.

Buddy & Snowflake (12-10-12)

Just hanging out in the little tree.

Pinterest Inspiration

Today I set out to create the kids an ornament I had found of Pinterest last year, but never found time to make them. Mom hand paints ornaments so she brought me some, along with her Cricut. They were pretty easy to make. I used a lot of trial & error until I got everything the right size.

The back letters are 1 3/4"; the front letters and the circles are 3/4". Now all they need is a pretty bow.

Buddy & Snowflake Hanging Around

Today Buddy & Snowflake decided to hang on the Christmas garland the kids made last night.

Christmas Countdown (Day 6)

Today Buddy & Snowflake found the syrup in the refrigerator.

When the kids got home from school they opened their Christmas Countdown activity for today....Make Christmas garland. I think Morgan & I made more garland then anyone else, but it turned out cute & is now hanging in our living room.