End of Year

As 2008 ends it is time to think about all the different things that have happened over the year.

January - That seemed so long ago, I am not sure what was going on. We were probably recovering. I braved the retail season and I sure I have no a clue what happened during that month.

February - It was birthday month but before that was able to happen, I was so sick. I mean in bed for 5 days sick. Princess Girly Girls and Menji's birthday are on the same day but the day went by and I managed to throw a quick party for Emma with a few friends but it was not the birthday party marathon like it usually is. Poor Menji, he did not get much of a birthday. I then got on a plane and headed to Alabama for a scrapbooking retreat. That was a blast but I still was not feeling up to par and went to bed really early every night drunk on couch syrup and decongestants. I also went to see Stacy where we put together our Biggest Loser audition video. We had help and I still think it is a great video. Sadly we did not get chosen but we decided to go ahead with our weight loss together and I think we have done a great job.

This month also brought Sherry closer to me, as in living closer to me. YEAH! A wonderful friendship has bloomed because we are closer and we have had some fun times.

I also managed to fit in working at the CHA show again with Pebbles Inc. That is always a blast. Long days but so much fun.

March - Princess Girl Girly was baptized and it was a wonderful day. It was also bittersweet because she is growing up so fast. We went with Brooks and Adriana to see Phantom of the Opera. Good times! We love hanging out with them and having fun!

Youth Conference was this month. We again hosted 8 girls. It was a post it note fun time. Staying up late, giggles, having spiritual fun and being toilet papered TWICE. This month also brought the arrival of a new Dyson Vacuum. Ahhhh, I love that vacuum.

It was also Easter and we had lots of fun goofing around with the Easter eggs.

April - Princess Girls Girls 14th birthday! I am so not ready for her to be older. We also spent some time at American Girl Place. That is always fun. PS also had a swim injury and we decided to take time off swimming waiting for that to heal. So that was the what would become the end of swim club.

May - Brought the arrival of the Wii and Wii Fit. We have has so much fun with the Wii. I also traveled to Texas for my birthday and a retreat. That was a blast. It was a wonderful retreat centre and I got to meet a ton of people that I have wanted to meet for a while from my scrapbooking board. Good times!

It was also the month that the new camera came out that I really wanted. I waited a few months before purchasing but it gave me something to think about.

June - Eighth grade promotion for Princess Seriously. Again, so not ready. It was also Girls Camp Month, the beginning of water polo for PS and the beginning of being a taxi mom. I did receive a promotion at work but in the end it ended up not being the right thing a few months later. It was a busy month just running everyone everywhere.

July - Party time for 4th of July. We love those parties! Friends, BBQ and swimming. We had a wonderful day and evening. We were having so much fun we missed the fireworks because we were having to much fun.

We also took some time off to have some family adventures. We headed out to the beach, The Grove back to the American Girl Place and back out to the beach. It was a great time for all and we had a blast. It was so needed.

We spent lots of time in the pool, playing Rock Band until late into the wee hours of the morning. PS was still in water polo and PGG was getting ready to play soccer.

August - I stopped working in retail. It was just time. School started, water polo and soccer was in full swing and we were always in the car. School brought the beginning of high school for PS and 3rd grade for PGG. All I know is that we spent a ton of time on the soccer field. PS was refereeing and PGG was playing her heart out. It was also freaking HOT!

September - The new camera and the beginning of my photography business. I have had so much fun. I can not even begin to tell you.

Menji and I headed out to Nascar Weekend. I also secured a retreat center for a retreat I am hosting in June of 2009. I am so excited. I think this was the month that PS, Sherry and her DD headed out to see Barlow Girls. That was a blast.

October - That brought 16 years of marriage, WOW!

This month was also a really hard month as Danny returned to heaven. I still pray and think of him daily. I pray for his family and loved ones daily. I still can not believe it happened all so fast.

I also headed out to a retreat where we did a special balloon release in his honor. There were many balloon releases in his honor.

Aleksei turned THREE! I can not believe how big he is. WOW. We has so much fun at his party where I took over 400 pictures to capture all the fun that he and his friends had.

November - We traveled to Arizona for Nascar, saw my Dad, hung out with friends. I also ran over a huge truck tread and did a little damage to the truck. We had a great time hanging out with our dear friends, Melanie and Darren. We always have a blast with them. We had great seats.

Is was historical voting as we voted for a new president

December - It is always a busy month, baking, tamales, dinners. We also made some life changes and moved lots of stuff around in house.

We are looking forward to starting a new year, hopefully full of joy, fun and laughter. May you all have a wonderful New Year.

Snow play

I mentioned that we wanted to head out to the snow, right? Well on Sunday we headed out with some friends and hit the snow. I do believe that everyone else woke up and had the same thought. It took twice the time that is normally takes to get up the mountain and then it was packed EVERYWHERE. At one point the kids were bouncing off the walls of the car because they could see all this snow but could not touch it. We pulled off to the side and just let them play.

Ok, before I go on, I have officially renamed DH to his nickname, Menji. Many of you already know him as that but, I decided to make him official.

Menji got out of the car and I think we were on a turn out but all the kids piled out and got to work. The Menji also took out his camera and went to work taking pictures. I was really too chicken to take mine out which make no sense because his and mine are almost the same but then his viewfinder fogged up and appeared to have water in it and I freaked out! So I was happy that I left my camera in the car. Then I took it out snapped about 4 pictures and put it back away. When we checked it this morning all seemed to be well. So cross your fingers for the camera.





Did you know that playing in the snow is hard work? We are all sore this morning. There are more pictures but I wanted to get this post up instead of making you all wait.

Christmas Recap

On Christmas Eve, Eve was run around like mad and get everything done. We have a couple of last minute things to do which turned into and all day event. Like a was holding a piece of the vacuum in my hand. DH got it called in for service but I needed to take it in. Great. Due to the holidays it is going to take at least two weeks to get the part in and get it taken care of. Well given my love affair with the Dyson's it is a good thing that I have second one. I can still vacuum, I just have to lug it up and down the stairs which may not be a bad thing. The next thing on our list was to hit Old Navy so we can hit the snow this weekend. There is tons of snow in our mountains. So we went there to get beanies and gloves. WooHoo! We hit a couple of other places but it is all a blur now.

It was time to come home and start the baking. I actually found cinnamon chips and bought all the bags that were in the store. All seven of them. So we made 3 dozen oatmeal raisin cinnamon chip cookies. Two dozen chocolate chip cookies and then the girls frosted some of those. In the midst of all that craziness, I was making tamales and dinner. Chicken enchiladas, beans and rice for that dinner. Chicken Mole for the tamales. So 4 dozen tamales later we were set for the beginning for delivering Christmas goodies. Before we could do that, The Rassmussen's stopped by to Carole us and bring treats!!! It was so cute to have the 3 boys and parents singing to us. I should have taken a picture!

Christmas Eve started with a breakfast for us at work. IHOP here we came. We exchanged Secret Santa gifts and chatted away at breakfast. Then I did a quick stop at Sherry's to drop off their Christmas Yummy's. I got to meet her adorable Grandmother and give Naomi a morning hug! When I returned home my Mother in law (MIL) was already working hard on the Turkey that we were going to eat later. See a Salvadorean Turkey is very different from your normal turkey. It is so juicy and yummy, capers and olives YUM! There is no way to describe it beside YUM. We sat around that table laughing and giggling about silly things, like the first time I ever ate that turkey. DH invited me over for Christmas Eve dinner, the day before we got engaged and I was not prepared. I really did pick at it and poor MIL was so offended because it appeared I did not like it. Well that was before I decided that trying new food was not such a bad thing. See I used to be SUPER picky. Now not so much. So well back to dinner, the turkey is served with rice, salad and french bread. We all sat around and laughed and just had fun.

Once we cleaned up a bit, it was time for more Christmas Eve fun. Off to see the neighborhood lights. There is a street where is seems the neighbors are in a contest to see who could possibly put more lights up. I confess I got a little cranky when Princess Girly Girl got tired of posing but off we went. There was a gingerbread house to put together. That took a little more time then we thought but it was funny to hear DH and the girls laughing about it. Once that was done it was time to clean up, put out Christmas Cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. We have a tradition of reading the same Christmas Story every year. Dh read that to us and then it was time to open one present before bed. The tradition of pajamas continued. We sent the girls up to bed and waited. We did everything that needed to be done and went off to bed.








Now, Christmas morning we got to sleep in!! The girls continued the tradition of sleeping in!!! Yeah! There are some Christmas mornings that we go wake up the girls because we can not wait any longer. We waited this year. It was a fun morning of opening presents, ohhhhing and ahhhhing over the fun gifts. Then Dh and I made an awesome breakfast of omelets and all the fixings. A couple of weeks ago, when MIL joined us we decided it was time to renew a Christmas Tradition that we had a few years ago when she was with us before. Christmas Movie! Off to the movies we all went to see Bedtime Stories. It is a great movie. We all laughed and had a good time. Once we got home we started dinner of turkey and more laughter. While we missed our friends and our usual Christmas Dinner, we did have lots of fun renewing some old traditions. After dinner, it was a relaxing evening watching the girls play with there new things and relaxing on the couch.





It all had to come to an end and we headed to bed to go back to the rat race the next day.

Merry Christmas!

Have a wonderful day!

Nativity Sets

When the girls were small, I went on the look out for a Nativity set that they could touch and play with.  Princess Girly Girl would gather all her Little people and they would hang out on the table with set.  This year I was saddened to realize the Nativity set was all by itself.  But there were many times I would find her playing away and I was so glad I had this set.

Then we went looking for a grown up set and I love the Willow Tree collection so for the past few years we added to this collection.

This year, Dh found a new set.  Again by Willow Tree and I am so excited to have it!  I look forward to adding more pieces in the years to come.  I love that he loves these as much as I do and I love that I now have two, so when it is time one set can go to each girl.  

I do think Princess Girly Girl will inherit the Little People one, there is no question about that one.  

Remembering the real reason for this season that we have is so important.  Remembering to service those that need to be loved.  To be giving as He was giving.  To take time to remember all that the Savior has done for us.  

So in the rush of life, don't forget what is really important.

All over the place and catching up

We were all over the place this week it seemed.

Monday, I went to work. Fun eh? Yeah I bet you missed me. But can I say that Monday was full of surprises as some old friends found me and we chatted the week away. It has been a blast reconnecting. I also tortured the children with the Christmas music only in my car. I have an awesome sound system in there. It rained an I froze. Yeah all you people that live in snow and are used to freezing in the winter stop laughing. It was really cold, so there.

Tuesday, it was a rough day. I was emotional. I kept Donnann and her family in my prayers all day and just was in that spot that I was pensive. I also worked in my new craft room and tried to get it to a spot that I could think in there. I got Christmas cards done and addressed. I also edited a few more pictures. I have lots of pictures to catch up on.

Wednesday, it was the Christmas breakfast at work. Secret Santa exchange and sing a-long. That part was really fun. Who would have known? Later that night Katherine and I headed to LeAnn's and visited for a bit then we snuck out and headed to Starbucks. Have you had a Salted Signature Hot Chocolate? If the answer is no YOU HAVE to try one. It sounds strange but the salt makes is so yummy.

Thursday, that was the BIG day. We woke up to snow. We rarely get snow and because of stuff going on outside I could not get pictures of it in our yard but I did take a drive and took pictures of the foothills. We also woke up to the SWAT team at a neighbors. I have no idea what that was about but it was a bit freaky.


The family was going to see WICKED. I have wanted to see that for about a year. I was so excited! I think I was the most exctied then everyone. New Christmas outfits for the girls. Dinner out and then WICKED. We topped it off with a Tommy's burger. LOL It was wonderful!!!!
Friday was recovery day since we were out so late. We did head down to Amber's to hang out. Can I just say how cute her kids are?

So that is the week in review...

Oh wait, the craft room, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, I can almost think in there now.

A couple of more pictures :)

I call this one, the one that got away... But I love the "bloopers"



Aren't they just adorable?

I might make this one look more vintage looking...



Now here is a Dad and his boy...

Still in the craft room

Yeah, I am working today but I am spending all extra time in the stupid craft room. I have a heater and am cranking in there but dang I have a lot of stuff.

I should resurface this weekend.

Today

My heart hurts. Extra prayers for an extra special friend and her dear family.

It has been two months.

Catching up on the weekend

Let me see, it seems like it was a productive weekend.

First off, I am having a blast on facebook, finding or people are finding me from High School and college. It is all good times.

Friday, I did the photoshoot for Sherry's family. That was a blast. Four kids, one fiesty toddler and everyone else is adorable. You saw the sneak peek and I have most but have not had a chance to put more of them up yet. That really was a fun photoshoot. I edited more of their pictures over the weekend.

Saturday, I checked into to work for a bit. Then headed home to start setting up the craft room room. It is looking really good but you have no idea how much stuff you have until take it all out and put it all away. But the good thing, is that I decided to put together some blog giveaways, look for those after I finishing putting together the craft room. I will say one thing, I need a heater to work in there at night. Brrrr.

It is freezing. I think the heater went into overdrive this weekend. I know it is way colder in other parts but dang we are cold after staying warm all summer and fall. I talked to my friend Donnann this morning and she was like it is 0 degrees, stop whining. LOL Ok!

Sunday, Church and we finally decorated for Christmas. Woo Hoo. Poor Princess Girly Girl was wondering when that was going to happen. I have pictures but am not near them right the moment.

This week will be fun, I have another photoshoot to do and I am excited. We are off to see Wicked and I am REALLY excited to see that. Oh and that craft room, I need to finish that.

Sneak Peek

This is all for tonight, enjoy...

Going on a Photo Shoot

I have the cutest family that I am doing a shoot for today! I am really excited! So look for sneak peeks over the weekend.

But in the meantime, here is another one of Princess Girly Girl to hold you over.

So I am running late this year

Usually after thanksgiving dinner we get the Christmas Tree out and start decorating. But Thanksgiving did not go as planned and then the next weekend was Christmas Party central. So we are running a bit late on getting it up and going. Tonight we dragged it out. Tomorrow we will finish and make it nice.

There is one ornament that I will be adding this year. I am going to go find a Lightening McQueen ornament. That will hang on our tree in honor of Danny. My wish is that my readers will also hang a Lightening McQueen on their tree in honor of Danny. I know this year is going to be rough for Donnann and her family but anything I can or you can do to let her know, we remember, we love and we honor him.

We are coming up on two months and I am sure that all the extra prayers, hugs and thoughts will be needed in the upcoming weeks.

A story to make you cry

Really take the time to click on the link. But have some tissue ready...

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6436994

Elfed!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Wordless Wednesday

A new favorite picture

Christmas Party Weekend

I just have a quick moment, but can I tell you Three Christmas parties in one weekend is a lot.

I have pictures. I even have more water polo pictures, I just need a moment to sit.

So I will just leave you hanging for now..

Life changes

Well things are changing and I am praying that it all works out. This could be really good, or really strange.

I will post more later about it but family is good, life is good and I am choosing joy over this. Just mutter a quick prayer for me please.

Sneak peek for Amber

I went out and took photos for Amber and her cute family again. Some of my personal favorites are the ones taken when they were off guard. Like this one, I told them to act like they like each other and they are laughing away.

So Amber here is a sneak peek, there are more to come...

More Water Polo Pictures

Before game tips and tricks...



I could not get in a better spot, I was ticked... Stupid hand rails.

Choose Joy

Sherry has issued another great challenge for the month of December....

So, if you are up for another challenge - here we go!
1. This will officially start on December 3rd and will end on December 31.
2. The challenge of this blog will be similar to our Gratitude Blog idea. Look for JOY each day and blog about it. It might be something as big as attending a wedding or as small as how cozy your slippers feel...it's up to you. CHOOSE to find joy.each.day.
3. There are a few extra challenges for this one too...don't worry - don't stress....have fun! Those that complete the journaling AND the photos will be able to be have their name in the drawing for the prize TWICE.
Each week, you must post at least 3 photos based on the themes I have chosen.
Week 1 (Dec. 1 - 6) - LOVE
Week 2 (Dec. 7 - 13) - RED
Week 3 (Dec. 14 - 20) -GLITTER/SHINE
Week 4 (Dec. 21 - 27) - FAMILY
Week 5 (Dec. 28 - 31) - PEACE

Wordless Wednesday

A couple of words! Game two was today, they won in overtime. WOO HOO! They are two for two! Here is a preview, there are more to come.

TODAY is the Fundraiser for Danny's Family

TRITTEN FAMILY FUNDRAISER

TIP NIGHT AT THE PIZZA RANCH
4797 Blue Stem Road
Roscoe, IL

WHEN: Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

FROM: 5pm to 8pm

ALL TIPS WILL BE DONATED TO THE TRITTEN FAMILY, in addition, The Pizza Ranch will donate 10% of all sales during this time.
Danny Tritten went home to heaven on October 16, 2008. He touched the lives of so many people in his short 5 years on earth. Due to the nature of his illness he was able to donate his organs and tissues to the Gift of Hope and saved so many other childrens’ lives. His 9 year old sister Madison is a 3rd grader. His Mother, Donnann is very active in volunteering at the school and girl scouts and his father, Dan is a tender, supportive provider who is employed at Chrysler. We are trying to help ease the burden of mounting medical bills.

Now not all of us live in the area but many of us want to help. I am holding a paypal drive during the time of the fundraiser in their town. All the money sent to my account during December 3rd will be sent to Donnann's family. Not matter how small or big all of your support is appreciated.

Please email @ menjiness@gmail.com for paypal information.

Water Polo Begins

Today was Princess Seriously's first Varsity Water Polo game. It was a blast but cold. She is the only freshman on the varsity team and she has improved a ton since starting in the summer.

Go PS!!! I will post pictures tomorrow because I have about 300 of them to go through. :)