Welcome 2009

Ten and Five! No this is not a football term. Last week my husband asked me to make a list of ten things I could START doing and Five things I could STOP doing; that would make my life the lives of my family better. He would make the same list and we would compare. It would be rare to find us reading a book on marriage together, but we do plan together. I am not going to post my list, but one of mine was staying current on our family history; in my world at this moment = blogging. This year I am hijacking an idea from my BFF Kath. I am going to do 52 weeks of My Favorite Things. Two of my favorite songs are "Simple Things" by Jim Brickman and the Favorite Things song from Sound of Music. Most of my favorite things are the simple things. When I was in high school and to this day whenever I am feeling down; I write a list these favorite things. I've never actually recorded or kept any of the lists; thus my project for 2009.

Family pics 08 - without Photoshop!

As we say good-bye to 2008 the journal/blog wouldn't be complete without the family pics from this year. We had a great photographer; we had really cranky kids!!!! How do you say in a positive way it was family picture day from HECK! I didn't bother to re-touch because to quote a favorite saying at our house, "It is what it is!"

Sweet as Sugar

We ended our seasonal festivities with the Sugar Bowl last Friday night. We partied with Nana, my bros, Cass and Megan. What a game! So sweet 13-0 a perfect season.

The best comment of the evening came from Adam when we had just told the kids they needed to calm down. Adam said, "What are you talking about, you guys are way louder than we are."

Disneyland Surprise

Thursday morning before school let out for Christmas break we tied some Disney balloons to the kids' suitcases and pulled them out of bed telling them we had an early Christmas present for them. Off we flew!

Disney faves

Jedi Training for the BoysMinnie where have you been all my life?

Zoe froze when it came to her favorite Sleeping Beauty
Everyone should take a 'Cass' to Disneyland - Thanks you're the bomb!

Cinderella
All my Monsters!

Dancing downtown Disney

About two weeks before the big trip I tested the surprise waters with Cam and asked him what he thought about going to Disneyland for our next family trip. He told me that would be dumb. So much for thinking I was a 'supercool' mom! He was indeed surprised and excited when we sprung the news on him. Everyone should get to see Disneyland at Christmas. Wow!

My favorite things about this trip:

1. It felt like a dream. Our kids didn't ask for much and we tried to say yes whenever we could. They were the perfect ages to go to Disneyland. Zoe wore her princess dress in the park for two days straight, and cried when we had to take it off at night. It may be the happiest place on earth but it's still a family vacation and there were occasional melt downs. I was so impressed the leader of our pack (Brian) didn't loose his cool once. He did however go a bit pale when he got the bill for dinner with the characters.

2. Cambridge and Remy Jedi training. They loved it. We went back three times. Cam got picked twice. On the third time; Remy kept saying "my turn" "my turn". I hoisted him on my shoulders and they picked him. They allowed me on the stage to help him. After about 5 minutes he gave me a push and said "Go" which was my big hint to get lost.

The Disney cast members did a great job helping him and he got to fight Darth Maul!

3. Everyone should take Remy to Disneyland. After a little persistence Disney gave us a Golden Arrow pass which allows you to enter the exit and get right on the ride = NO LINES. (It doesn't work on every ride...but most). This has to be one of those times without any reservation I was sooo grateful for that extra 21st chromosome.

4. Dancing Downtown Disney - Our first night there we went to Downtown Disney (located just outside the park) There was a guy playing some grooving guitar and a little kid dancing. Remy and Zoe decided to join. I decided to jump in as well. We were laughing dancing our hearts out when I noticed a little down syndrome girl had joined us. I went over to talk to her parents when I turned again two more down syndrome boys had joined our little dance group as well. So Rare! But soooo much fun!

Favorite Christmas Memories

Three things I will treasure about this Christmas
1. Cambridge still believes... He point blank told his cousin that "there is no way his dad could be Santa Claus, because he doesn't have reindeer."
2. When we arrived to the small flood at the Cabin..it was in fact small for which I am very grateful. I am also grateful even though Brian had a few choice words about the problem, he was able to isolate the problem and return to 'Christmas Cheer' I am truly married to a good man.
3. The little white bag - Remy brought this bag home from Miss Angelas. I brought it to the cabin and Christmas morning he came downstairs and before going to any obvious presents for him; he searched out the white bag to give to me before opening any of his presents. Inside was an ornament with an imprint of his hand.

GAK and New Years

We invited two families of friends to the cabin for New Years. We had a blast. It was totally relaxing. GAK has become a New Years tradition.

Roylance Cousins

Team One
Team Two

Pull them jammies up Urkle

Christmas Day

Dig Zoe Dig
Lego Project

The Aftermath!

Christmas Eve

We drove to the cabin Christmas Eve. We arrived to find a small compression fitting had burst. Small flood was not exactly on my agenda for Christmas Eve. After cleaning up the water and fixing the fitting we did the usuals......New jamies and frosting cookies for Santa!

Remy's Christmas Program

Remy did a great job keeping up with the songs and the actions. He thought he would add to the presentation by showing off his battle scars on his belly.

Party at Nana's

Thanks Nana for a great Party!

Kid's Table
Chairs at the kids table

Place-card for adult table

Adult Table

As long as I live I don't know that my tables and decorations will look as good as my mother's. Some may wonder why she puts such effort and perfection into such things.

I've come to the conclusion it's because it is 'her thing'.

In this rush rush world of drive through's and paper plates how nice it is to sit down to an elegant table and appreciate the beauty of someone's creative talents.

Every other year my family does sub for santa instead of exchanging gifts. I took the kids with me this year to deliver and it was pretty cool watching the excitement for this little family we chose to share with.

Christmas Review - Bingham party

Bingham Christmas Party! No this party was not a snoozer, but it's the only picture I had from the party. Remy was super engrossed in watching the Jazz game on TV and then suddenly he was out - cold! We enjoyed having Brian's Mom, Sister, Brother and their families at our house. We missed you Owen and Cathy.