February already??

Well it's almost Valentines Day and I haven't updated my blog since Christmas, wow time sure flies these day.

Christmas was fantastic, maybe that's why I hadn't changed anything yet. I guess a part of me still wants to hear Christmas carols each time I sign in. Well our new year has started off as fast paced as ever. Nicolas & Nathan are both doing the Upward Bound basketball program this year. I have to say I'm loving it so far, they begin each practice and game with prayer, they receive stars of varying colors to put on their uniforms. Each color represents something different like good offense, defense, most Christlike during the game and so on. They also receive a new bible verse each week. I also have to say that the boy's coaches are fantastic.

Isaac started preschool and he is just loving it. He goes two mornings a week. He is just such a ham about it, he wakes up those days and jumps right in the shower and is dressed before most of us have brushed our teeth, he has become extremely independent lately. I think school is also helping with his social skills and his behavior. All is all it has been a huge blessing to him and our family.
Luis ran the PF Chang's half Marathon in January and finished under two hours. That was super exciting. He now wants to run all the time, it's nice to see a teenager that has found his passion and a healthy one at that. He is also carrying a 3.0 grade point average in school right now and he is eligible for graduation in May. He is excited also unsure if he is ready to leave high school so soon. Decisions...decisions.
Manuel is chugging along at work, hopefully the economy lightens up as the year moves forward. And me well I'm enjoying every minute of this busy bustling family, trying to enjoy all of it as I've noticed how fast time seems to be moving these days. WOW (women of wisdom) is totally rocking my world right now. The first hour is all about fear and insecurities, it's hits me over the head each and every week. Sometimes I sit there wondering if this woman speaking has been living in my head my whole life and sharing my story. It's an amazing fellowship and I just love it!
All in all 2010 is off to a great start! Can't wait to see all the wonderful things it has in store for us all. Happy February to you all!

Hanging out with the boys today

I think we all started to feel the rush of Christmas today, we all woke up exhausted today. After my early am workout I showered and went back to bed to cuddle with Nathan because I was cold and landed up sleeping until 9, how great is that! So the rest of the day the kiddos have been playing with their gifts and watching movies, it's really cold out so a nice relaxing day indoors is exactly what we all needed.
So as the new year approaches I can't help but smile. I like so many am eager to see this year behind me, it's been unusually hard with lots and lots of changes. The first big ( I mean HUGE!) change was that my teenage step-son came to live with us, and that was a huge change all in itself in less than a month I would lose my beloved grandfather, and just a few short months after that another huge loss, my papa. I am eager to start a new year and a new decade, I can't wait to see what this new year hold for us and what memories we will begin to make. I wish you all a very very Happy New Year!

let it snow...let it snow!

This week we were very blessed to receive enough snow to play in. That doesn't happen for us very often so we took full advantage of the situation, by staying home to play in it all day. Here are some fun pics of the boys enjoying the day.

Gingerbread Heaven...

A picture of the train
that circles around the whole village

This one was the kid's

favorite, it is from the

movie UP

I liked the more traditional

looking ones like this.

This creation won first

place in the church theme

category

I was able to spend some much needed quality time with Nicolas & Nathan so we decided to go to our local gingerbread village. The Prescott Resort does this every year, it is the biggest in the state. Children from across the state, schools, hotels, news agencies, newspapers, restaurants, companies you name it every one brings in a gingerbread creation to be judged and set out for hundreds maybe even thousand to admire. A working train circles the entire masterpiece it is always so much fun. It's also so amazing to see the imagination some people have and also what candy can do other than adhere itself to my hips. Isaac was not up to going that day so we will venture out again with him, I could see it everyday it never gets old and I think I see something new each time. It's given me some ideas to try at home for our own gingerbread houses. Take a peak:)

Christmas Parade

Me & the boys enjoying the parade
and not minding the really cold weatherThe kiddos loved this car...
a Rudolph slug bugThe kids are begging us to get
them one of these for the front
yard, hmm next year will it be for
the parade?I love when Christmas comes to our little town, it seems as if our little town comes alive with the spirit of the season. Our town is the state's official Christmas city. Here are some shots I took of the parade, I'm still learning how to use my new camera and the parade was a huge learning session, I still have so much to read and so much to learn but I figure the practice won't hurt either. Tonight it's off to the Courthouse lighting and tomorrow after church a walk through Bethlehem, what fun! What a blessed mommy I am to be surrounded with these wonderful boys throughout this wonderful holiday season.

Time to get into the holiday spirit

My mom with Gramps
last year.

it's hot chocolate I promise!

Missing him tons this year

but I'm sure he had a much

better view of it this year

plus I'm sure the weather

is so much warmer in heaven!

Me & the love of my life

taking it all in:)

Some pics of last year's annual Christams Parade of lights....missing my gramps this year.

I will post pics of this years parade soon, I just got a new camera and I haven't figured it all out yet so they are coming just as soon as I can.

T...is for turkey so crispy & brown

T..is for turkey so crispy & brown
H..is for ham with it's sugary crown
A...is for apple pies that grandmother makes
N..is nuts & sweet little cakes
K..is for kinfolk who come to break bread
S...is for sauce made of cranberries red
G..is for gravy enjoy not the least
I..is for Indians at the first feast
V..is for voices of young & old
I..is for ice cream so yummy & cold
N..is for nonsense that makes the day bright
G..is for games we play until night
Nathan was in a school play last week right before Thanksgiving it was so sweet, he was a Pilgrim Minister and his famous line was "Praise the Lord" it was so cute here are some pics.

what a wow of a day...

The boys with their daddy

they were so excited &

proud of him back on the ground,

safe & sound

Going up, up & awayToday, one day after celebrating ten years of marriage my husband still takes my breath away. This thanksgiving I am so thankful, thankful to him and thankful for him. I am thankful that he loves me the way he does, quirks and all. I am thankful for all that he does for me, he is our provider, protector and rock. I am thankful for all that he has given me, like his heart, a home, our children and countless moments in between. I am thankful that I get to share my life with such a generous, selfless, loving, caring, affectionate, intelligent and wonderful man. This has been one of the most difficult years our family has faced and it was so nice having someone to be with me through it all. Ten years later I am thankful that as much as I think I know him he still inspires me and surprises me. Check this out...