Quick, get these things documented!

It's always best to stay up on things like laundry and dishes. When you skip a night of washing your face and exercise it is much easier to miss the next day. And this is where I found myself as 2009 came to a close. I am paying for it this month with a few extra pounds and my face is breaking out like crazy!

The kids are back in school and I've spent the first 8 days of the New Year getting our life back in order.

Now that the laundry room doesn't smell any more and the kitchen isn't sticky. The family routine is getting some good oil....Now, I can update the blog.

And just the same as when I neglect my journal entries for weeks at a time, when I fall this far behind you get the summary version.

Let it snow!

Our little snow blower was a great investment! (Jake 9 years)

Snow is hit and miss here around our home. This year we have been blessed with a few good storms, enough to make snowmen.




Looks like this snowman will fit right in.


Merry Christmas!





Dear Santa,

Sometimes I yelled when I should have taken a deep breath and counted to ten. A few times I sat down to watch a movie when I should have picked up my things. I haven't been perfect, but I do try my best to be good. I have one Christmas wish.

Help me remember how precious and fleeting my time is with my impressionable children. And to use it wisely.

With love, Jake, Dallas, Katie and Natalie's mom



Gingerbread houses



The world's best attack gingercopter!



Decorating Sugar cookies
for the neighbors and Santa, with cousins and friends



Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa Hill's
Always a wonderful time.

Jake and Dad

Melanie and Brian Evans



Katie with her cousin, Gabe Evans


Dallas and Grandpa


Natalie so fascinated with the train and Christmas lights

Jake and Natalie (special bond)

Grandma and Grandpa Hill

What a wonderful time of year! I love everything about Christmas. I love the baking, the Christmas lights, the smell, the brisk air. I love sitting around the lights of the Christmas tree and the fire in the evening sipping hot chocolate listening to my husband, Mike read the family 'The Story of The Other Wisemen'. (If you haven't read it, read it!)

I love the cheer in everyone. I love my family. I love Mike's family. I love and miss my family this year. I'm grateful to friends and neighbors for their warm friendship.

Most of all, I love Christ!

The reason for the season.

Thanksgiving: I never did get pictures of my trip to Utah for a girls retreat. Mike had our children for 5 days alone and then drove with them 6 hours to Utah for Thanksgiving with my family. It was Mike's treat to me (his idea, promise) after hunting season, Boot Camp and OCS and Air-Assault. It was a blast and a wonderful way to start off the season with my family.

And Happy New Year...I was going to post the pictures of our New Year's celebration at the Evan's, which was a total blast!

But isn't everyone ready for a nap now?